National Book Festival returns to D.C. with a stacked lineup

Mimi Montgomery

Podium on a bright festival stage at the Library of Congress National Book Festival; purple panel reads "Main Stage". Colorful backdrop with blue panels and scattered pink, green, orange quotation marks. — Photo: Shannon Finney/Getty Images

The Library of Congress has released the author lineup for this year's National Book Festival on Aug. 22 — and it's stacked.

Why it matters: It's a chance to see tons of big-name writers and celebs all in one day and all in your backyard.

State of play: Celebrities like Cynthia Erivo, Martin Scorsese and Kate McKinnon will be at the festival to chat about their books and craft.

Other popular authors and writers on the list of 80-plus speakers include: Ann Patchett, Arthur Sze, Tia Williams, Tayari Jones, Andrew Sean Greer, Patrick Radden Keefe, Jenny Lawson, Chanel Miller, Maria Semple and Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney.
Plus: Check out other events like story time for kiddos, STEM-centric literary fun, and presentations by Library of Congress experts.

The intrigue: Tickets are required to enter the festival for the first time ever, but they're free.

Zoom out: This year's festival has widened its offerings to celebrate America's 250th birthday, with programming that dives into the country's films, music and folklife.

If you go: The National Book Festival will take place Aug. 22 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center from 9am to 8pm. Doors open at 8:30am.

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National Book Festival returns to D.C. with a stacked lineup

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