The First Annual
Detroit Literary Festival
October 8-9, 2027
Midtown Detroit
An International Celebration of Stories, Voices and Ideas
About the Festival
A brand new chapter for Detroit's literary legacy.
Detroit's first major literary festival is a two-day celebration of authors, ideas, and stories in the heart of Midtown Detroit. Bringing together 100 authors across literary fiction, romance, fantasy, poetry, history, public affairs, and local voices for a weekend of author panels, author keynotes, workshops, and a vibrant outdoor literary marketplace.
Schedule and details to follow. Join us as we showcase the bold, resilient spirit of Detroit's creative and intellectual communities.
Festival Life
A Book Celebration Like No Other
Discover the energy, community, and joy of Detroit's first major literary gathering - inspired by the great city book festivals of our time.
Featuring 100+ nationally renowned and bestselling authors.
Full author lineup and schedule to be announced early 2027.
Early 2027
Featured Speakers
The Festival Grounds
Author Panels & Readings
The Event
Two Days of Literary Magic
Join 100+ bestselling authors, celebrated poets, and visionary writers for two extraordinary days of panels, book signings, writing workshops, and a vibrant outdoor marketplace in the heart of Midtown.
DAY ONE
Friday, October 8
Education Day & Opening Night VIP Gala
Dedicated daytime programming for Detroit schools, students, and educators, culminating in a stellar ticketed VIP gala to launch our inaugural festival with keynote authors.
DAY TWO
Saturday, October 9
The Main Festival (9 AM - 7 PM)
A jam-packed day of author panels, author keynotes, creative writing workshops, intimate author signings, and our sprawling outdoor Midtown Literary Marketplace.
The Stages
Five stages. One weekend. Every kind of story.
Main Stage
National headliners, marquee keynote dialogues, and prestigious award presentations.
Fiction Stage
Bestselling novelists, mystery maestros, fantasy and sci-fi and romance favorites, and breakthrough debut voices.
Nonfiction Stage
Memoirs, history panels, current affairs, and global ideas from leading experts.
Poetry & Spoken Word
Acclaimed lyricists, live slams, spoken word championships, and oral tradition celebrations.
Kids & YA Space
Interactive story hours, young adult panels, and creative crafts for all ages.
Leadership
Led by people who've built this before.
Rich Fahle
CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Co-Founder and Exec. Producer of PBS Books, managed nationally by Detroit PBS. C-SPAN Book TV founding team. Former VP at Borders Group running national author events across 1,000+ stores. Lead Organizer of the Midwest Literary Walk, a walkable multi-venue book festival in Chelsea, MI. National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) literature panelist/judge.
Lori Tucker-Sullivan
CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
20 years as Executive Director of the Independent Booksellers Consortium, managing a 25-member national co-op. Former Marketing Director at Little Professor Book Co. across 35+ franchised bookstores. Author of I Can't Remember If I Cried (Backbeat Books), with essays in The New York Times and The Washington Post. Teaches communication at Oakland University.
Janet Webster Jones
HONORARY DIRECTOR
Founder of Source Booksellers in Midtown Detroit - the same neighborhood the festival calls home. Retired Detroit Public Schools educator. Recognized by the National Book Foundation among the country's notable booksellers.
Get Involved
Be part of Detroit's next great literary tradition.
Stay tuned for programming announcements, featured authors, and ticket details. Want to get involved or have questions? We'd love to hear from you.
Sponsorship & partnership inquiries welcome.
DETLITFEST '27
The First Annual
Detroit Literary Festival
October 8–9, 2027
Midtown Detroit
An International Celebration of Stories, Voices and Ideas
About the Festival
A brand new chapter for Detroit's literary legacy.
Detroit's first major literary festival is a two-day celebration of authors, ideas, and stories in the heart of Midtown Detroit. Bringing together 100 authors across literary fiction, romance, fantasy, poetry, history, public affairs, and local voices for a weekend of author panels, author keynotes, workshops, and a vibrant outdoor literary marketplace.
Schedule and details to follow. Join us as we showcase the bold, resilient spirit of Detroit's creative and intellectual communities.
Festival Life
A Book Celebration Like No Other
Discover the energy, community, and joy of Detroit's first major literary gathering - inspired by the great city book festivals of our time.
Featuring 100+ nationally renowned and bestselling authors.
Full author lineup and schedule to be announced early 2027.
Early 2027
Featured Speakers
The Festival Grounds
Author Panels & Readings
The Event
Two Days of Literary Magic
Join 100+ bestselling authors, celebrated poets, and visionary writers for two extraordinary days of author panels and keynotes, book signings, writing workshops, and a vibrant outdoor literary marketplace in the heart of Midtown Detroit.
DAY ONE
Friday, October 8
Education Day & Opening Night VIP Gala
Dedicated daytime programming for Detroit schools, students, and educators, culminating in a stellar ticketed VIP gala to launch our inaugural festival with keynote authors.
DAY TWO
Saturday, October 9
The Main Festival (9 AM - 7 PM)
A jam-packed day of author panels, author keynotes, creative writing workshops, intimate author signings, and our sprawling outdoor Midtown Literary Marketplace.
The Stages
Five stages. One weekend. Every kind of story.
Explore Midtown Detroit's vibrant, dedicated program spaces hosting author conversations, interactive panels, live poetry performances, and creative youth workshops.
Main Stage
National headliners, marquee keynote dialogues, and prestigious award presentations featuring literary icons.
Fiction Stage
Bestselling novelists, mystery maestros, fantasy and sci-fi and romance favorites, and breakthrough debut voices.
Nonfiction Stage
Memoirs, history panels, current affairs, and global ideas from leading experts and award-winning journalists.
Poetry & Spoken Word
Acclaimed poets and lyricists, live poetry readings, spoken word presentations, and vibrant oral tradition celebrations.
Kids & YA Space
Interactive story readings, picture book/middle grade/young adult panels, creative book crafts, and all-age whimsical sessions.
Leadership
Led by people who've built this before.
Rich Fahle
CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Co-Founder and Exec. Producer of PBS Books, managed nationally by Detroit PBS. Part of C-SPAN Book TV founding team. Former VP at Borders Group running national author events across 1,000+ stores. Lead Organizer of the Midwest Literary Walk, a walkable multi-venue book festival in Chelsea, MI. National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) literature panelist/judge.
Lori Tucker-Sullivan
CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
20 years as Executive Director of the Independent Booksellers Consortium, managing a 25-member national co-op. Former Marketing Director at Little Professor Book Co. across 35+ franchised bookstores. Author of I Can't Remember If I Cried (Backbeat Books), with essays in The New York Times and The Washington Post. Teaches communication at Oakland University.
Janet Webster Jones
HONORARY DIRECTOR
Founder of Source Booksellers in Midtown Detroit - the same neighborhood the festival calls home. Retired Detroit Public Schools educator. Recognized by the National Book Foundation among the country's notable booksellers.
Get Involved
Be part of Detroit's next great literary tradition.
Stay tuned for programming announcements, featured authors, and ticket details. Want to get involved or have questions? We'd love to hear from you.
Sponsorship & partnership inquiries welcome.
