Southern Festival of Books Returns for 37th Year with Resounding Community Support

The Southern Festival of Books, a beloved public event connecting authors and readers, will return for its 37th year on October 18-19, 2025, thanks to the efforts of Vanderbilt University, Humanities Tennessee, and the generous support of the community. The event's new partnership with Vanderbilt University marks a significant chapter in the festival's history, reflecting the university's commitment to the region's cultural and intellectual fabric. The festival's continuation is a testament to the power of community, demonstrating the impact of public support and investment in literary arts and cultural events.

Key Takeaways:

• The Southern Festival of Books will return for its 37th year on October 18-19, 2025, following months of uncertainty after the termination of federal funding.
• The festival's new partnership with Vanderbilt University reflects the university's deepening investment in the cultural, civic, and intellectual fabric of the region.
• The event has received significant support from the community, with over 1,200 individuals contributing to its revival in the past three months.
• The festival will feature discussions and panels with more than 175 regionally and nationally recognized authors, as well as a children's creativity area, author signing tent, and live recording of author interviews.
• Parnassus Books will return as the festival's official bookseller, and the Authors in the Round dinner will also make a comeback this year.
• The 2025 festival is made possible by presenting partner Vanderbilt University, along with several other organizations and individual donors.

Statistics:

• 37: The number of years the Southern Festival of Books has been running.
• 175: The number of regionally and nationally recognized authors participating in the festival.
• 1,200: The number of individuals who contributed to the festival's revival in the past three months.
• 37thousand: The expected number of attendees for the festival in 2025.