Join us for the Nantucket Book Festival Discover A Weekend Of Literary Wonder.

The Nantucket Book Festival is an annual celebration of the literary arts that brings together authors, book lovers, and storytellers. For one exciting weekend each June, the island of Nantucket transforms into a book lover's paradise, featuring a captivating lineup of author readings, panel discussions, writing workshops, and book signings..

Festival Schedule

Thursday, June 13

Tara Karr Roberts with Mary Bergman‍

1:00PM - 1:45PM, Atheneum Great Hall

Tara Karr Roberts’ lyrical debut novel Wild and Distant Seas follows four generations of women as they seek to chart their own futures. Join author Tara Karr Roberts and Nantucket historian and writer Mary Bergman to learn more about how Roberts draws inspiration from Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick and created a richly imaged world all her own.

Casey Sherman with Sara DiVello

2:00PM- 2:45PM, Atheneum Great Hall

Casey Sherman is a true crime author of over 10 books, most recently Hell Town: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer on Cape Cod and A Murder in Hollywood: The Untold Story of Tinsel Town's Most Shocking Crime. Join Casey with fellow author and Festival co-chair Sara Divello as they investigate true crime writing and Casey's immersive books of true and thrilling nonfiction.

Katherine Howe with Tim Ehrenberg

3:00PM - 3:45PM, Atheneum Great Hall

Katherine Howe, author of A True Story and The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane, specializes in historical novels set in New England, which she uses to query ideas about the contingent nature of reality and belief. Katherine and Tim Ehrenberg, Nantucket Book Foundation Board President and creator of Tim Talks Books, will take you through all her writing adventures, chat about pirates and witches, and also discuss co-writing Astor and Vanderbilt with American broadcast journalist, Anderson Cooper.

Gabriella Burnham with Jason Graziadei

4:00PM - 4:45PM, Atheneum Great Hall

Gabriella Burnham, a graduate of Nantucket High School, is the author of It Is Wood, It Is Stone, which was named a best book of the year by Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Publishers Weekly, and Good Housekeeping. Her new novel, Wait, takes place on Nantucket and tells the story of two sisters navigating turbulent social currents, immigration systems and more all while leaning into the bond of sisterhood. Join Gabriella in conversation with Jason Graziadei of the Nantucket Current.

‍Nantucket Young Playwrights

4:00PM, White Heron Theater

Prepare to enjoy, appreciate and even laugh at this series of ten-minute plays written by Nantucket teens, under the mentorship of award-winning filmmaker, Jay Craven. Students worked this spring to develop and revise their original short plays - which will be performed by professional actors in a staged reading at White Heron Theatre.

This year’s students include Anna Popnikolova, Danielle Lewis, Marina Cassano, William Martin, and Brenda Macias. One play tells an epic tale of love, betrayal, and finding yourself. Another shows a character hitting the lowest of low and finding a way back up. One takes us into a world where mythical creatures, gods and humans intermingle - and another (on Nantucket) shows two best friends who spend a day celebrity-hunting for their two favorite Instagram influencers. Still another sets up a longstanding rivalry that has grown cold, but reheats after an embarrassing moment on stage. Risks are taken, the tea has never been so scalding and an icy road looms ahead.

Each year’s program is different - but all feature complex characters, muscular plots - and surprising insights that come fully to life in these compelling slices of life - real and imagined. Nantucket Young Playwrights is produced and sponsored by Kingdom County Productions, White Heron Theatre, Nantucket Atheneum and the Nantucket Book Festival, working in association with Nantucket High School.

Authors in Bars

8:00PM, Breeze Bar at The Nantucket Hotel

Join several of this year’s authors in a comfortable after-hours setting, while enjoying your favorite beverage. Admission is free, and there will be a cash bar.

Friday, June 14

Erik Larson with Linda Henry

9:00AM - 9:45AM, Methodist Church‍

Join best-selling historian Erik Larson and CEO of Boston Globe Media, Linda Henry as they discuss Erik's latest book published in April of this year, The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War. A master of narrative nonfiction, Erik will also touch on his writing process and some of his other iconic books; The Devil in the White City, The Splendid and the Vile, and The Garden of Beasts.

Trish O’Kane with Kitty Pochman

10:00AM - 10:45AM, Methodist Church‍

Trish O'Kane is the author of the recently published Birding to Change the World: A Memoir and an inspiring tale of climate activism where birds were the catalyst for the author to organize in defense of the places she loves. Trish currently serves as Senior Lecturer of Environmental Justice at the University of Vermont. Prior to her position at UVM, Trish worked as a human rights journalist in Central America and the Deep South and as a teacher in Alabama's Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women. Trish will be in conversation with Kitty Pochman, Executive Director of the Linda Loring Foundation to discuss her incredible journey teaching ornithology, college students, and middle schoolers, and her lifelong learning and activism beyond the classroom.

Paul Harding with Ann Sullivan

11:00AM - 11:45AM, Methodist Church‍

Paul Harding is the author of a number of books, including the Pulitzer winning Tinkers. His latest book is the extraordinary This Other Eden, nominated for the Booker Prize, the National Book Award and the Dublin Literary Award. He is now the Director of the MFA in Creative Writing and Literature at Stony Brook University. It will come as no surprise to those who have read his work that Paul Harding is also a musician. His writing sings with gorgeous, lyrical prose. This Other Eden is inspired by the true story of Malaga Island, a small island off the coast of Maine, home to one of the first racially integrated communities in New England. Paul will be in conversation with Nantucket Book Foundation Vice President, Ann Sullivan.

LUNCH

Steven Rowley with Tim Ehrenberg

‍1:00PM- 1:45PM, Methodist Church‍

Steven Rowley is the New York Times best-selling author of Lily and the Octopus, The Guncle, The Celebrants, and just released, The Guncle Abroad. Steven and Tim Ehrenberg of Tim Talks Books will dive into all the author's tales of friendship, the complicated bond of family, the importance of queer voices, and the power of love infused with his signature heart and humor.

Bianca Bosker with Michael Schulder‍

2:00PM - 2:45PM, Methodist Church

Journalist Bianca Bosker's first book, Cork Dork, takes a deep dive into the world of wines and was an immediate best seller. Recently, the Wall Street Journal tagged the best five book about wine, and CORK DORK was one of those five! Her new book, Get the Picture, A  Mind-Bending Journey among the Inspired Artists & Obsessive  Art Friends Who Taught Me How to See is another best-seller. Bianca worked as a security guard at museums, she threw herself into galleries, studios, talked to apprentices and collectors, and she visited the homes of billionaires. Her purpose: to learn why art matters and how we could engage with it more deeply. Bianca will be in conversation with former Senior Executive Producer for CNN, founder of Wavemaker Conversation's Podcast, and Nantucket Book Foundation Board Director, Michael Schulder.

Sara DiVello with Mary Haft

3:00PM - 3:45PM, Methodist Church

Sara DiVello is a true crime writer and the creator/host of Mystery and Thriller Mavens, a popular author interview series and interactive Facebook group, and Co-Chair of this year’s Nantucket Book Festival. Her latest book, Broadway Butterfly: A Thriller, was an Entertainment Weekly Most Anticipated Book and a CBS New York Book Club Pick. Broadway Butterfly is a true-crime novel set in the roaring 1920’s and is based on one of the most notorious unsolved murders of the era, that of flapper Dot King. Sara will be in conversation with her partner Co-Chair of the Book Festival, Co-Founder of the Nantucket Book Foundation and Board member, Mary Haft.

Ben Mezrich with Linda Henry

4:00PM - 4:45PM, Methodist Church

Ben Mezrich is the New York Times bestselling author of Breaking Twitter, Dumb Money, and other stories characterized by cinematic and unique true stories of young geniuses battling their way through the gray area between right and wrong, and succeeding at all costs. Ben will be joined in conversation by co-owner and CEO of Boston Globe Media, Linda Henry.

Margaret Atwood with Heather Reisman and Louise Dennys

6:30PM - 7:30PM, First Congregational Church

Globally renowned and critically acclaimed author, Margaret Atwood, will be joined in conversation with Founder & CEO of Indigo, Heather Reisman, and Atwood’s longtime publisher & editor Louise Dennys, Publisher Emerita, Penguin Random House Canada. We expect this event to fill to capacity. No registration is required as originally advertised and entry is FREE, but there is limited seating so please be prepared. Doors will open at 5:30PM and we will fill the space to its capacity.

Please do not start lining up until 5:30PM.

Note: There is no preregistration for this event as previously advertised. People will be seated on a first come first served basis.

Nantucket Book Festival Author Dinner

7:30PM - 10:00PM, White Elephant Ballroom

Enjoy a sumptuous buffet dinner while rubbing elbows with your favorite authors. The Dinner, presented by The White Elephant Hotel, is the perfect ending to a day filled with inspiring author conversations. As the only event designed to fundraise for the Book Festival, your ticket purchase helps to keep most of our events free and open to everyone. Purchase tickets HERE.

Saturday, June 15

Nancy Thayer with Meg Ruley

9:00AM - 9:45AM, Methodist Church

Rise and shine with New York Times best-selling author Nancy Thayer in conversation with her agent, friend and island native Meg Ruley. The two will discuss all of Nancy's beloved Nantucket books and literary career with special emphasis on her newest novel about two Nantucket sisters, The Summer We Started Over.

Manni & Reuben Coe with Nathan Coe

10:00AM - 10:45AM, Methodist Church‍

Join brothers Reuben, Manni and Nantucket’s own Nathan Coe for a very special conversation about Manni and Reuben’s book brother.do.you.love.me. The book contains Manni’s tender words and Reuben’s powerful illustrations which share their story of brotherly love and care after Reuben’s life in an adult care center in Europe left him nonverbal and depressed. This family affair is guaranteed to tug on your heartstrings.

Kwame Alexander

11:00AM - 11:45AM, Methodist Church

Poet, educator, publisher, Emmy® Award-winning producer, and #1 New York Times bestselling author of 40 books, Kwame Alexander will be speaking at the Methodist Church about his moving memoir, Why Fathers Cry at Night, which Publisher’s Weekly says, “finds poetry in places both ordinary and extraordinary.” Kwame was a 2023 Nantucket Book Foundation Visiting Author in Schools, and his visit left a lasting impression on island students and teachers. Join Kwame as he shares stories from his memoir and his award-winning writing career.

LUNCH

Adrienne Brodeur with Mary Bergman

‍1:00PM - 1:45PM, Methodist Church‍

Adrienne Brodeur will delve into complicated people and the natural world they inhabit with deep emotional intelligence by discussing the writing and inspiration behind her best-selling memoir, Wild Game, which was selected as a Best Book of the Year by NPR, and her novel, Little Monsters with co-chair of our Literary Committee, Mary Bergman.

Kerri Greenidge with Kaley Kokomoor

2:00PM - 2:45PM, Methodist Church‍

Dr. Kerri Greenidge is Mellon Associate Professor in the Department of Studies in Race, Colonialism, and Diaspora at Tufts University, where she also co-directs the African American Trail Project. Her most recent book, The Grimkes: The Legacy of Slavery in An American Family, is a counter narrative to historical accounts of the famous abolitionist Grimke sisters which finally acknowledges the black members of that family. The Grimkes was recently listed as a best book of the year by The New York Times and was the 2023 semi-finalist for the Stone Book Award from the Museum of African American History in Boston/Nantucket. Dr. Greenidge will be in conversation with Nantucket Book Foundation Executive Director, Kaley Kokomoor, as they discuss her research of the entire Grimke family and their often conflicting contributions to freedom and equality in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

Lara Love Hardin with Tim Ehrenberg

3:00PM - 3:45PM, Methodist Church‍

Lara Love Hardin is the author of The Many Lives of Mama Love: A Memoir of Lying, Stealing, Writing, and Healing (the Spring 2024 Oprah's Book Club Selection). Join Lara and Tim Ehrenberg of Tim Talks Books, as they discuss her heartbreaking journey from shame to redemption. Oprah says, "Once you start reading, be prepared, because you won't want to stop!" It's a conversation and stranger-than-fiction true story you won't want to miss.

Bill Janovitz with Donick Cary

4:00PM - 4:45PM, Methodist Church‍

Join writer, producer, and director Donick Cary and go behind the scenes with one of the best storytellers in the music business. Bill Janovitz’s (of alt-rock band Buffalo Tom) recent work, Leon Russell, is the definitive biography on one of rock’s most underappreciated icons.

Saturday Celebration!

7:30PM - 9PM, Dreamland Main Theater

Join us for a special conversation with Kwame Alexander and Safiya Sinclair; poets who have brought the grace and beauty of language into their work in writing. These two critically acclaimed writers are redefining contemporary literature with dynamic and innovative voices that are reshaping how to tell the stories of the narrative of our lives and how their personal journeys have led to creating change in the world. As Kwame reminds us, that change happens “one word at a time”.

Our evening begins with the presentation of the Nantucket Book Foundation’s YOUNG WRITER AWARD, which celebrates and honors the work and vision of our high school students who, through an essay competition, stand with us tonight to accept their award together as One Winner, Four Finalists, “First Among Equals”, inspiration drawn from the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction.

Sunday, June 16

Rob Benchley & Jim Patrick with John Stanton

10:00AM - 10:45AM, Atheneum Great Hall

Travel back to the way Nantucket was twenty-five years ago, as writer Jim Patrick and photographer Rob Benchley chronicled the scallop harvest in their beloved book Scallop Season. Scallop Season captures the hearty spirit of those who earn their living in the last surviving wild bay scallop fishery on the East Coast. Editor of Nantucket Today, John Stanton, will be on-hand to lead the conversation.

Christy Cashman with Jane Seymour

11:00AM - 11:45AM, Dreamland

Celebrate The Truth About Horses with the help of author, actress and producer Christy Cashman in conversation with multiple Emmy and Golden Globe winning actress Jane Seymour. The two will unpack the deeper themes of Christy's novel, the relationship between humans and horses, trauma, grief, magical realism, plus Jane's upcoming movie adaption of the book.

Safiya Sinclair with Mary Haft

12:00PM - 12:45PM, Dreamland

How to Say Babylon

Celebrated poet Safiya Sinclair’s new memoir, How to Say Babylon, is winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award in Autobiography, a finalist the Kirkus Prize, and is long-listed for the Women’s Prize in Non-Fiction. How to Say Babylon tells the story of Safiya’s upbringing under her strict Rastafarian father in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Her memoir will undoubtedly resonate with many Nantucketers who have roots in Jamaican culture and with all readers on a journey of reckoning with their own family story. Safiya will be joined in conversation with Co-Founder of the Nantucket Book Foundation and Board member, writer & producer, Mary Haft.

Festival Send-Off Celebration

2:00PM - 4PM, Cisco Brewers

Gather at Cisco Brewers on our final day of the Festival for great food, music, and conversation for readers and writers alike. Attendees may choose from delicious options for lunch, plus drinks by Cisco Brewers, Triple 8, and Nantucket Vineyards.

Shuttle available from the Visitors Services on Federal Street. No tickets required; pay for your own food and drinks.

Click here for register

Date: June 13 - 16, 2024

Location: Various Venues in Nantucket

Click here for more information