The festival, a celebration of books and authors, takes place in and around the State Capitol in Austin, Texas. A newer tradition, the special presentation of the Book End Award, recognizes a lifetime of literary achievement. These awards have been presented so far, to A.C. Greene and Americo Paredes in 1998 and to Horton Foote in 1999. At the two day-festival, dozens of writers panels cover topics including Texas literary legacy, biographies and contemporary memoirs, murder and mystery, music, art, photography, business, sports and cooking. The festival depends upon hundreds of man-hours that volunteers provide and the generous financial support of major corporate sponsors and donors, newspapers, magazines and local businesses.
Authors donate their time for readings, panel discussions and book signings.
More than 500 authors from across the country have lent their presence and prestige to the Texas Book Festival since it began in 1996. Participants have included John Graves, Sandra Cisneros, Larry McMurtry, Frank McCourt, former President George Bush and General Brent Scowcroft, Mary Karr, Larry L. King, Kinky Friedman, Elmer Kelton, Mary Willis Walker, Joe R. Lansdale and Robert James Waller. Proceeds from the three-day event are earmarked for Texas public libraries. About 325 grants have been awarded to libraries in every geographic region of the state. Seventy-five percent of our state s 496 public library locations have been awarded a Texas Book Festival Grant.