LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 31, 2024) — The 43rd annual Kentucky Book Festival will return to Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 2.
More than 150 authors will be in attendance, meeting readers and signing books. Patrons can enjoy a full slate of main stage events alongside educational workshops and craft talks, as well as a children’s schedule of events.
Headlining this year’s program are Al Roker of NBC’s “Today Show,” Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jonathon Eig, New York Times best-selling author Nic Stone and more.
Notable University of Kentucky faculty, staff and alumni will also headline the event, including Frank X Walker and Crystal Wilkinson — former Kentucky Poets Laureate — as well as sports legends Jack “Goose” Givens and Derrick Ramsey, among many others.
The UK-affiliated authors include:
- Holly Burke, program coordinator for UK Markey Cancer Center’s Appalachian Career Training in Oncology (ACTION) program.
- Joshua A. Douglas, acting associate dean for research and Ashland, Inc.-Spears Distinguished Research Professor of Law.
- Zach Garland, UK English alumnus.
- Jack “Goose” Givens, UK alumnus and former UK and professional basketball player.
- Dorian Hairston, UK English alumnus and former UK baseball player.
- Anita Hatchett, UK English alumna and executive director of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet Office of Public Affairs and Constituent Services.
- Robby Henson, filmmaker, screenwriter, theater director, playwright and instructor in the UK College of Fine Arts.
- Mariama J. Lockington, research administrative coordinator in the UK College of Education.
- Derrick Ramsey, UK alumnus and former UK and professional football player.
- Erik Reece, UK English professor.
- Deirdre A. Scaggs, UK associate dean for research and discovery and director of the Wendell H. Ford Public Policy Research Center.
- Nathan L. Vanderford, UK associate professor in the Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology and director of the Appalachian Career Training in Oncology Program.
- Frank X Walker, UK English professor and former Kentucky Poet Laureate.
- Crystal Wilkinson, UK English professor, Bush-Holbrook Endowed Professor and director of the Division of Creative Writing, and former Kentucky Poet Laureate.
For a full listing of events and information, visit https://kybookfestival.org.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.