GBF Adds Another Wave of Standout Authors for 2026
|
Just when you thought the 2026 Gaithersburg Book Festival lineup was looking impressive, even more dynamic authors have been added to the mix. Our newcomers include:
~ Non-Fiction ~
 Ruben Castaneda is the author "S Street Rising: Crack, Murder, and Redemption in D.C.," which was published by Bloomsbury in July 2014. The book vividly recounts how Ruben covered the violent crack era for The Washington Post while struggling with his own crack addiction. After working for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner for more than six years, Ruben joined The Washington Post in 1989. He worked at the Post for 22 years and currently works for The Baltimore Sun, as an enterprise and investigations reporter. He’s been to more than 50 Bruce Springsteen concerts and has watched nearly 100 Caitlin Clark games, two in person. Ruben will be moderating a panel featuring authors Eli Frankel and Patrick Wohl.
 Jason G. Green is a community organizer, attorney, entrepreneur, and storyteller, and the author of "Too Precious to Lose," a reflection on belonging, memory, and the communities that sustain us. Raised in Maryland, his work explores the institutions and relationships that shape our common life. He previously served as Special Assistant to the President and Associate White House Counsel to President Barack Obama, advising on economic and domestic policy. Jason is the co-founder of SkillSmart and CEO of EverGreen Labs. His documentary, "Finding Fellowship," explores the history of Quince Orchard and efforts to preserve it. He lives between Maryland and Dallas with his wife, Ritu, and their son, Aidan.
 Diana Parsell is a former journalist and the author of "Eliza Scidmore: The Trailblazing Journalist Behind Washington’s Cherry Trees," which was featured on NBC’s Today Show and won prizes from Biographers International and the Society of Midland Authors. Previously Diana worked for many publications, websites and nonprofits, including National Geographic, The Washington Post and science organizations in Washington and Southeast Asia. In 2011, she helped launch the Washington Independent Review of Books. In an outgrowth of her book research she’s a docent for public tours of the Library of Congress. She lives with her husband in Falls Church, Va. Diana will be moderating a panel featuring authors Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson and Mary Lisa Gavenas.
 Lois Romano is a distinguished American journalist, author, and editor, known for her in-depth coverage of national politics and American political culture for major outlets, including The Washington Post and Politico. Her longtime interest in the lives of women who have influenced history informs her writing with empathy, depth, and nuance. "An Inconvenient Widow: The Torment, Trial, and Triumph of Mary Todd Lincoln" reflects her insight into the interplay between politics and the human condition, illuminating the complex life of a First Lady who navigated personal turmoil and public scrutiny to play a central role at the most consequential moment in our nation’s history.
 Julian Sancton is The New York Times best-selling author of "Madhouse at the End of the Earth" and "Neptune’s Fortune: The Billion-Dollar Shipwreck and the Ghosts of the Spanish Empire." He is a senior features editor at The Hollywood Reporter. His work has appeared in Vanity Fair, National Geographic, Esquire, The New Yorker, and GQ, among other publications. He has reported from every continent, including Antarctica, and lives in Larchmont, N.Y.
 David Taylor writes for The Washington Post, Discover, Smithsonian, Scientific American, and other outlets. He received a 2024 Outstanding Feature Award from the Society of Environmental Journalists. His books include "Ginseng, the Divine Root," "Soul of a People," and "Cork Wars: Intrigue and Industry in World War II" about wartime environmental security, which received an Independent Publisher Book Award. He writes for documentary films and podcasts, including The People’s Recorder, which received a 2025 Signal Award. He teaches at Johns Hopkins University and lives in Washington, D.C. David will be moderating a panel featuring authors Peter Cozzens and Megan Kate Nelson.
~ Fiction ~
 Rabih Alameddine is the author of the novels "Angel of History;" "An Unnecessary Woman;" "The Hakawati;" "I, the Divine;" "Koolaids;" the story collection, "The Perv;" and one work of nonfiction, "Comforting Myths." He was a finalist for the 2014 National Book Award. He received the Dos Passos Prize in 2019. a Lannan Award in 2021. In 2022, he won the Pen/Faulkner award for "The Wrong End of the Telescope." Rabih will be presenting "The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother)," which received the 2025 National Book Award for Fiction.
 Samuel Ashworth has been a bartender, a dancer, and a reporter. To write his debut novel, "The Death and Life of August Sweeney," he gutted seafood in the back of Michelin-starred restaurants and assisted with autopsies in a Pittsburgh hospital. He wrote regularly for The Washington Post until it was murdered by the coward Jeff Bezos. He also writes for The Atlantic, Longreads, Eater, and so on. He teaches creative writing at George Washington University, and is an assistant fiction editor at Barrelhouse Magazine. He lives in Washington, D.C. Samuel will be interviewing author George Packer and signing his debut novel.
 Louis Bayard “reinvigorates historical fiction,” rendering the past “as if he’d witnessed it firsthand,” in the words of The New York Times. His acclaimed novels include "The Wildes: A Novel in Five Acts;" "The Pale Blue Eye," adapted into the global #1 Netflix release starring Christian Bale; "Jackie & Me," ranked by The Washington Post as one of the top novels of 2022; the national best-seller "Courting Mr. Lincoln;" "Roosevelt's Beast;" "The School of Night;" "The Black Tower" and "Mr. Timothy," as well as the highly praised young-adult novel, "Lucky Strikes." A New York Times Notable author, he has been nominated for both the Edgar and Dagger awards, and his work has been translated into more than a dozen languages. Louis will be interviewing author Milo Todd at the GBF this year.
 Andie Burke is the USA Today best-selling author of "With Stars in Her Eyes," "Fall for Him," and "Fly with Me." She lives in Maryland with her partner and two kids and also works as a pediatric radiology nurse. Andie will be moderating a program featuring authors Audrey Ingram and Sarah Adler.
 Laurie Frankel is The New York Times best-selling, award-winning author of the novels "Family Family," "One Two Three," "Goodbye for Now," "The Atlas of Love," and the Reese’s Book Club Pick, "This Is How It Always Is." Laurie lives in Seattle with her husband, daughter, and border collie. She will be presenting "Enormous Wings."
 Ayana Gray is a New York Times, USA Today, and Indie best-selling author. Her works have been translated into a dozen languages across five continents, and have received critical recognition at the state and national level. She has been featured on Good Morning America, Tamron Hall, People Magazine, and Oprah Daily among others. Ayana also serves as a guest lecturer at writing workshops across the country. Originally from Atlanta, she now lives and writes in Arkansas. Ayana will be presenting "I, Medusa."
 Lindsay Hameroff is a writer, humorist, and former English teacher raised in Baltimore, Md., and based in Harrisburg, Pa. Her writing has been featured in McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, Weekly Humorist, and fan letters to Harry Styles. She is the author of "Till There Was You," "Never Planned on You," and the upcoming "Rewrite the Stars." When she’s not writing, she can most likely be found at Wegmans. Lindsay will be moderating a panel featuring authors Sarah Goodman Confino and Matthew Norman.
 Kate Hilton is a best-selling Canadian writer. Her fiction includes "City of the Muse," "The Hole in the Middle," "Just Like Family," and "Better Luck Next Time." She is also the co-author, with Elizabeth Renzetti, of the Quill & Packet mystery series: "Bury the Lead," "Widows and Orphans," and the forthcoming "Put It to Bed." When not writing, Kate works as a psychotherapist in private practice, with a focus on personal reinvention and life transitions. She lives with her family in Toronto.
 Tania James is the author of four works of fiction, most recently the novel "Loot," which was longlisted for 2023 National Book Award and the Carol Shields Prize. Her short stories have appeared in Freeman’s, Granta, The New Yorker, O Magazine, and One Story, among other places, and thrice featured on Symphony Space Selected Shorts. She teaches in the M.F.A. program at George Mason University and lives in Washington, D.C. Tania will be interviewing author Rabih Alameddine.
 Milo Todd is a Massachusetts Cultural Council grantee and a Lambda Literary Fellow. His work has appeared in Slice Magazine and elsewhere. He is co-editor in chief of Foglifter and teaches creative writing to queer and trans adults. Milo will be presenting "The Lilac People."
~ Mystery/Thriller ~
 I.S. Berry spent six years as a CIA operations officer, serving in wartime Baghdad, and has worked throughout Europe and the Middle East, including two years in Bahrain during the Arab Spring. Her debut spy novel, "The Peacock and the Sparrow," was named The Times (London) Thriller of the Year; a Best Book of the Year by The New Yorker, The Times, The Financial Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph, and NPR; and won the Edgar Award, Barry Award, Macavity Award, and International Thriller Writers Award for Best First Novel. She’s a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law. I.S. will be moderating a panel featuring authors Dan Fesperman and Nick Petrie at GBF and signing her debut novel.
 K.T. Nguyen is a former editor at Glamour magazine. Her psychological thriller, "You Know What You Did," received the Agatha Award and the Anthony Award for Best First Novel. In a starred review, Booklist described Nguyen’s novel as “a twisty horror-filled thriller” and an “incredibly compelling debut.” "You Know What You Did" was selected as a People Magazine Best Book and named a Best Mystery and Thriller Book by Elle magazine. When she’s not writing, you’ll find K.T. practicing Krav Maga, watching the Mets, or playing with her terrier Alice. A graduate of Brown University, K.T. lives just outside Washington, D.C. K.T. will be moderating a panel with authors Jennifer van der Kleut and Alex Finlay.
 Karen Winn is the author of "The Society" and "Our Little World." Her short stories and essays have appeared in Ploughshares, Hippocampus, Lit Hub, Writer’s Digest, and elsewhere. She earned her M.F.A. from Fairleigh Dickinson University. For her undergraduate studies, Karen attended the University of Pennsylvania, where she may or may not have belonged to a secret society. Prior to becoming an author, Karen was a nurse and a nurse practitioner. Originally from New Jersey, Karen now lives in the charming Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston with her husband, two children, and their 100-pound Bernedoodle.
~ Science Fiction ~
 John Chu is a microprocessor architect by day, a writer by night. His fiction has appeared in venues including Boston Review, Uncanny, Asimov's Science Fiction, Clarkesworld, and Reactor. His translations have been published in numerous places, including Clarkesworld, The Big Book of SF. He has won the Hugo, Nebula, Locus, and Ignyte Awards, including the Best Short Story Hugo for "The Water That Falls on You from Nowhere" and the Best Novelette Nebula for "If You Find Yourself Speaking to God, Address God with the Informal You." "The Subtle Art of Folding Space" is his  debut novel.
Thomas Elrod lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and daughter. His writing has appeared in the LA Review of Books, Independent Weekly, and elsewhere. "The Franchise" is his first novel.
~ Children's ~
 Fred Bowen is the author of 30 sports books for young readers ages 8-12. He is the creator and author of the Fred Bowen Sports Story series, 27 books that combine sports fiction, sports history and always have a chapter of sports history in the back. Fred has also written three sports history books, including "Gridiron: Stories From 100 Years of the National Football League" and "Hardcourt: Stories From 75 Years of the National Basketball Association." From April 2000 to February 2023, Fred wrote a weekly kids’ sports column for The Washington Post. Fred will be presenting "Special Teams."
 Alyssa Colman is the author of "Where Only Storms Grow: A Novel About the Dust Bowl," "The Tarnished Garden," and "The Gilded Girl," which won the 2021 Northern Lights Book Award for middle-grade fantasy. Publishers Weekly called the story “a thoughtful and imaginative exploration of friendship, internal change, and perseverance” in a starred review. Alyssa lives in Northern Virginia with her family.
 Alan Katz has written 50+ highly acclaimed books for kids, including "Take Me Out of the Bathtub" (now in its 25th year!), "Got Your Nose!," "Oops!," "Zooloween," "The Funniest Joke Book Ever for Kids," and "The Funniest Animal Joke Book Ever for Kids." Alan is also a six-time Emmy-nominated writer for TV series including The Rosie O’Donnell Show, the Grammy Awards, and the Tony Awards; animated shows including Taz-Mania, Pinkalicious, and Goof Troop; numerous trading card sets; theme park shows; and network specials. He and his journalist wife (and co-author of their upcoming poetry book!) Rose Horowitz live in Connecticut.
 David LaRochelle is the author of "Isle of You," illustrated by Jaime Kim, as well as "How to Apologize," "Go and Get with Rex," "Mr. Fox’s Game of 'No!'," and the "See the Cat" series, all illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka. He is also the author-illustrator of the "Draw & Erase Adventure" books "This Pirate Needs Your Help!" and "This Sheep Needs Your Help!" David searches for gold doubloons in White Bear Lake, Minn. He will be presenting "This Superhero Needs Your Help!."
 Brian Lies is the author/illustrator of over 30 children’s books, including his New York Times best-selling bat series ("Bats at the Beach," etc.), his 2019 Caldecott Honor-winning "The Rough Patch," and 2025’s "Cat Nap," which garnered seven starred reviews and was on many “Best of 2025” lists. His work has won numerous awards, and he is acclaimed as a visiting author, working with elementary schools throughout the United States. A graduate of Brown University, Brian lives with his family and two cats in Duxbury, Mass., where he works, tends a large vegetable garden, and enjoys reading, cooking, and woodworking.
 Rebecca Morrison is the author of "The Blue Dress,” a middle-grade novel based on her childhood as an Iranian immigrant trying to fit into her new American homeland, and her family’s expectations of beauty. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, NBC News, Newsweek, US News & World Report, and HuffPost among others. She was born in Iran, and now calls the Washington, D.C., area her home. "The Blue Dress" is her debut novel.
 G. Neri is the Michael L. Printz and Coretta Scott King award-winning author of such books as "Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty" and "Concrete Cowboy," which was made into a movie starring Idris Elba. His books have been translated into multiple languages in over 25 countries. They include "My Bicentennial Summer: True Adventures from the Most Epic Family Road Trip of All Time," "My Antarctica," "Safe Passage," "Tru & Nelle," "Christo and Jeanne-Claude Wrap the World," "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash," and "Chess Rumble." In 2023, he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from SUNY for his literary and Antarctic outreach.
 Barbara Carroll Roberts’ books for young readers include the novels "Nikki on the Line," a finalist for two state children’s book awards, and "The Metamorphosis of Bunny Baxter," a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. Her picture book, "A Rose Named Peace," illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline, is also a Junior Library Guild selection, as well as a Texas Topaz Non-fiction Gem. She has two grown children and now lives in Virginia with her husband, two cats, and one very goofy springer spaniel.
 Shana Targosz writes about magical girls, budding friendships, ghosts who may or may not be friendly, and fiercely held hope. She is an Oregon Literary Fellow and the 2021 recipient of the Edna L. Holmes Fellowship in Young Readers Literature. Shana is the author of "The Underwild" series, the first book of which was an instant New York Times best-seller. When not writing or reading through a stack of books, she spends her time playing Zelda with her son, designing solo journaling games, walking her domesticated monster disguised as a Labradoodle, and dreaming up different worlds. Shana will be presenting "Relic of Thieves (The Underwild)."
 Katie Yamasaki works primarily as a muralist and picture book creator. She has painted more than 90 murals around the world, exploring local stories of identity and social justice. Her picture book work explores similar themes for young readers. Her most recent book is "Ripples," published in April 2026. She lives in Brooklyn, N.Y., with her family. Katie will be presenting "Mural Island."
~ Teen/YA ~
 Gareth Hinds is the creator of critically-acclaimed graphic novels based on literary classics, including "Beowulf," "The Odyssey," "The Iliad," "Romeo & Juliet," "Macbeth," and "POE: Stories and Poems.” Gareth is a recipient of the Boston Public Library’s Literary Lights for Children award. His books can be found in book stores and English classrooms across the country, and his illustrations have appeared in such diverse venues as the Society of Illustrators, the New York Historical Society, and over a dozen published video games.
 Jenni Howell is The New York Times best-selling author of "Boys with Sharp Teeth." Before becoming an author, she tried out archaeology, linguistics, mongoose herding (known to some as “teaching”), finance, and espionage, but always got bored. Now she writes books, so her entire world changes every six months—and she will never be bored again.
 Amanda McCrina is a writer and bookseller. Her award-winning historical novels for young adults include "Traitor," "The Silent Unseen," "I'll Tell You No Lies," and most recently, "Beyond Seven Forests." She holds a degree in history and political science from the University of West Georgia. She currently lives outside Nashville.
 SJ Sindu is a Tamil diaspora author of two literary novels ("Marriage of a Thousand Lies," which won the Publishing Triangle Edmund White Award; and "Blue-Skinned Gods," which was an Indie Next Pick and a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award), two hybrid chapbooks ("I Once Met You But You Were Dead," which won the Split Lip Turnbuckle Chapbook Contest; and "Dominant Genes," which won the Black Lawrence Press Black River Chapbook Contest), two forthcoming graphic novels ("Shakti" and "Tall Water"), and one collection of short stories ("The Goth House Experiment," which won The Story Prize Spotlight Award). SJ holds a Ph.D. in Creative Writing from Florida State University and teaches at Virginia Commonwealth University.
 Alexandra Villasante's young adult novel, "The Grief Keeper," won the 2020 Lambda Literary Award for LGBTQ Children’s Literature/Young Adult Fiction and was a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection. Alex is a contributor to several young adult short story anthologies and is a co-founder of the Latinx Kidlit Book Festival and the Latinx Storytellers Conference. When she’s not writing or painting, Alex works for the Highlights Foundation. Alex will be presenting "Fireblooms."
 Carole Boston Weatherford is a Newbery Honoree and a New York Times best-selling author and poet and was named the 2025–2026 Young People’s Poet Laureate by the Poetry Foundation. Her numerous books for children include the Coretta Scott King Author Award winner "Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre," illustrated by Floyd Cooper; the Caldecott Honor Books "Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom," illustrated by Kadir Nelson, and "Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement," illustrated by Ekua Holmes, which was also a Robert F. Sibert Honor Book; the critically acclaimed "Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library,: illustrated by Eric Velasquez; the Newbery Honor Book "BOX: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom,: illustrated by Michele Wood; and "How Do You Spell Unfair? MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee," illustrated by Frank Morrison. Carole lives in Maryland. Carole will be presenting "Fourteen Ways of Looking at Jellyfish."
~ Poetry ~
 Tony Medina, winner of the 2025 Letras Boricuas Fellowship through The Mellon Foundation and the Flamboyán Arts Fund, was born in the South Bronx, raised in the Throgs Neck Housing Projects, and is a veteran of the United States Army. He received his Master’s and Ph.D. at Binghamton University and is Associate Chair and Director of Creative Writing at Howard University. A multi-genre author/editor of 24 books for adults and young people, his honors include the National Black Writers Conference Nikki Giovanni Award and a State of New York Proclamation and Legislative Resolution for literary achievement. Tony will be presenting "America's Future: poetry & prose in response to tomorrow."
For the current list of featured authors, visit the GBF website.
|
|
Free Kids Workshops Will Inspire
the Next Generation of Storytellers
|
Get ready for a burst of creativity at this year’s Gaithersburg Book Festival! Young storytellers, artists, poets, and day‑dreamers can dive into a vibrant lineup of free, hands‑on workshops that will cover everything from crafting odes and building fantasy worlds to designing comics, art journals, nature poems, and even reporter notebooks.
The children’s workshops, which are 55 minutes long and designed for children ages Kindergarten through 5th grade and their families, include:
Odes to Favorite Things – 10:00 a.m.
Work with poet Nancy Arbuthnot to practice writing odes in praise of a favorite person, place, or even thing! We will look at examples of contemporary odes by Pablo Neruda ("Ode to Things," "Ode to Cats," "Ode to My Socks") and others, then spend some time jotting down ideas about your chosen subject. Then, after talking about ways to use repetition, concrete details and metaphors and similes, we will rework those ideas into poems. Finally, you’ll be encouraged to create a handmade "broadside," or elegantly penned and lightly illustrated 8x10 in card. All supplies provided.
Comic Character Creation – 11:00 a.m.
Join cartoonists Dave Roman (“Unicorn Boy”) and Alexis Frederick-Frost (“Team Unihorn and Wooly”) for a fun-filled workshop about developing unique characters, brainstorming ideas, and collaborating with fellow artists to create unexpected comic stories full of crazy twists and turns.
Notice, Ask, Listen: Be a Reporter to Improve Your Stories – Noon
Notice, Ask, Listen: These three reporting skills can help spark creativity and improve writing. You will focus on noticing what’s around you and taking notes about those telling details; asking questions about things that make you curious; and listening to what people share.
Fantasy Worldbuilding – 1:00 p.m.
Calling all fantasy writers! In this workshop led by Writopia Lab, you will design a map for an original fantasy world. By drawing and outlining your fantasy world, you’ll explore how geography influences history, politics, cultures, and, of course, magic. This can serve as the framework for future or current projects.
Nature Art and Poetry Fun! – 2 p.m.
Let’s be creative! Come out and create a weather/nature artwork and “You” poem with Jennifer Klein! First, we will discuss some artworks and poems, then we will design our own nature artwork and write our own weather/nature riddle poem. Illustration tips for creating an artwork will be shared. Let’s see if we can guess each other’s riddles!
Epistolary Writing – 3 p.m.
In this workshop, led by Writopia Lab, you’ll write letters and postcards to or from fictional characters, exploring voice, perspective, and storytelling. Guided prompts and exercises will show how emotions can create intimate stories and characters. You also will be able to create a collaborative story with a partner through an exchange of letters.
Art Journaling: Stories Through Words & Pictures – 4 p.m.
What if stories did not stay inside the lines? In this joyful, hands-on workshop led by Jennifer-NeToi, you will explore art journaling as a space for imagination, color, and creative expression. Words and pictures come together in playful and unexpected ways, inviting participants to experiment, layer ideas, and let their creativity lead the way. There is no right way to create here, only curiosity, exploration, and the freedom to try something new. Together, we will discover how stories can spill across a page in shapes, textures, fragments, and bursts of inspiration. Come ready to imagine. Leave with pages full of possibility.
The workshops will be held during the Festival in the Children’s Workshops Pavilion in the Children’s Village. No pre-registration is required for these free workshops.
Learn more about the children’s workshops and their presenters.
|
|
From Proposals to Plot Twists: Workshops Help Writers Build Their Best Work
|
Aspiring authors and creatives can dive into a full slate of free workshops for ages 16+ at this year’s Gaithersburg Book Festival, taking place throughout the day May 16 at Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm.
Led by published writers, editors and seasoned instructors, these sessions—covering everything from book proposals and submissions strategy to character creation, storytelling, and even songwriting—offer practical, hands‑on guidance that participants can immediately put to work.
The 55-minute workshops will be held during the Festival in the Adult and Teen Workshops Tent. No pre-registration is required.
How to Catch and Keep a Reader – 10:00 a.m.
In a world where so much is vying for our attention, writers have to hook agents, editors, and readers in the very first page…and keep them engaged as the story progresses. In this workshop, you will learn (and practice!) how to craft a novel or short story that captures a reader’s attention: from the initial premise and first few pages until the very end. The Writer’s Center instructor Eva Langston also will discuss how to avoid the “mushy middle” and what techniques will keep readers turning pages.
Get Published: The Guide to Submissions – 11:00 a.m.
Want to get published? Here's the trick. If you want to win the lottery, you need to buy a ticket. If you want to get published, you need to send out materials to lit mags, agents, and publishers. Again and again. This session, led by Hildie S. Block, will show you ways to send out more (and to where), be smart about it, toughen your skin and get published! You also will set achievable goals, make plans, and share resources.
Making Wildly Imaginative Characters Through Anthropomorphism – Noon
Artists, writers, storytellers, and mythmakers have been imagining animals and natural objects as characters since the dawn of time—not to better understand the nature of animals and objects, but to understand the behavior of humans. In this workshop led by Robert St. John, you will look at character creation through anthropomorphism, and how to use it to bring wildly unbelievable characters into believable life in your fantastical stories, whether for comedy, science fiction, fantasy, horror or a mixture of all of those.
How to Publish and Distribute Your Book – 1:00 p.m.
Learn all about publishing your book from start to finish. Founder of Sligo Creek Publishing Alan Abrams will share the entire process – from formatting your manuscript and creating a book cover to obtaining an ISBN, registering your manuscript with the Copyright Office and using a print-on-demand service. The workshop will include a hand-out with detailed instructions and commentary.
Artifacts: The Craft of Descriptive Writing – 2:00 p.m.
Prompt: Artifacts. Imagine life as a catalogue, the main character as an archivist of that imagined (or true) life. Led by novelist Caroline Bock, this workshop will explore how the objects of our life define a story. Dive into details that make descriptive writing vivid and memorable. Start a new work or two of flash fiction/creative non-fiction with guided prompts.
Songwriting – 3:00 p.m.
Whether you are a musician, a poet, or a seasoned songwriter, this workshop will help you get started and complete songs you love. Jay Keating, President of the Songwriters Association of Washington, will help you understand various song structures, lyric styles, and musicality that drives successful songs.If you have a song in progress, bring it to work on! Together, we’ll explore the songwriting process and craft.
The Polished Proposal: Crafting a Non-Fiction Book Proposal That Gets Attention – 4:00 p.m.
Non-fiction authors seeking a book contract need to distinguish themselves among a crowd of writers. Led by author and American University journalism and media studies professor Dr. Sherri Williams, this workshop will instruct you how to focus your book pitch on what makes your book distinct. Dr. Williams also will offer tips that she used to obtain two book contracts. You will learn how to sharpen your proposal from a synopsis of the book down to the chapter descriptions and leave with an outline for a polished book proposal.
For the workshop schedule and more information about instructors, visit the Adult & Teen Workshops page of the Festival website.
|
|
|
|
Join the Crew: Volunteer at the GBF
|
The Gaithersburg Book Festival simply wouldn’t be possible without its volunteers.
Each year, hundreds of book lovers help turn the festival grounds into a vibrant, welcoming space for readers, writers, families and our authors. Whether you’re greeting guests, assisting authors, supporting children’s activities, or keeping things running behind the scenes, your time makes a real impact.
SSL and PAU hours are available, making it a great opportunity for students and community members alike.
There are a wide range of roles—Author Presentation Tent Assistant, Information Booth Greeter, Book Signing Assistant, Writing Workshop Helper, Children’s Activities Assistant or Floater for those who like to jump in wherever needed. Volunteers must be 16 or older and attend a short training session in early May.
Ready to help bring this year’s festival to life?
Volunteer today!
|
|
Your Spring
Reading Challenge:
Introducing GBF Bingo
|
The GBF is launching a new way to enjoy books and earn prizes: GBF Bingo!
Readers of all ages: Keep track of books you read from now through Saturday, May 16, 2026, and write the book title and author in four matching squares on the bingo card. Then submit your completed card at the Festival on May 16 to claim your prize! Complete all 16 squares and earn a special prize!
For contest rules and to download your GBF Bingo Card, visit the GBF website.
|
|
May 1-2:
Washington Writers Conference
|
The Washington Writers Conference, hosted by the Washington Independent Review of Books, is your chance to network with fellow writers, learn from publishing pros during panels and workshops, and, most importantly, pitch directly to literary agents.
Now in its 13th year, the conference will take place May 1-2 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. Connect with the D.C. literary community and learn about the path to publishing!
Visit the conference website to learn more and register.
|
|
Welcome New
2026 Sponsors
|
~ Premier ~
The Carnegie at Washingtonian Center - A Kisco Signature Community
~ Literary Sponsor ~
202 Print LLC
Chesterbrook Academy
~ Book Lovers ~
Grace United Methodist Church
Mathnasium of Gaithersburg
Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA)
Renewal by Andersen
The Writer's Center
Woofie's of Gaithersburg
~ Festival Friends ~
Bob and Judith Murphy
Lucy Lindsey
Sponsoring the Gaithersburg Book Festival is a great way to show that you support the community and the literary arts, while gaining visibility with our attendees, who are among the region’s best-read and most well-educated individuals.
Learn more about how to become a festival sponsor.
Email GBF staff to discuss your sponsorship
|
|
Official Bookseller
& Partner
|
|
~ Partners ~
~ Premiere Sponsor ~
~ Festival Sponsors ~
~ Literary Sponsor ~
|
|
Subscribe to the GBF Newsletter
|
Share the GBF Newsletter with your friends, family and book club members so they can see the latest news from the Gaithersburg Book Festival. Simply click the "Send to a Friend" button at the top of this newsletter to pass along this issue. To become a regular GBF Newsletter subscriber, join our mailing list. Subscriber contact information will be used solely for the newsletter and will not be shared or sold to other parties. |
|
Stay connected with the GBF online on your favorite channels:
|
|
|
