Books By The Banks

The region’s biggest and best book festival, Books by the Banks, is back and bringing the best in literature to downtown Cincinnati. This year’s festival will feature headliners and more than 120 authors, as well as literary-themed activities for all ages. The 19th annual Books By The Banks Cincinnati Regional Book Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, November 14th, 2026, at the Downtown Main Library, 800 Main Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. In addition to the Author Pavilion, where visitors can meet authors, buy books, and have them signed, there are many more activities, including a Family Fun Zone with Creation Stations running all day. Books by the Banks attendees can also attend sessions on Writing and Getting Published from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 2026 Author Spotlight Schedule - 3rd Floor 11:00 A.M. Kate Quinn in conversation with Paula Brehm-Heeger 1:00 P.M. Pierce Brown in conversation with John Scalzi 2:15 P.M. George M. Johnson in conversation with Mariama J. Lockington 2026 Author Panel Schedule 10:30 A.M. Memoirs Lorraine Boissoneault, Maggie Marton, Carol Tyler, Katrina Anne Willis Moderated by Clarity Amrein Room 1SA Thrillers Angela Henry, D.M. Pulley, Robin Yocum Moderated by Tara Kressler Room 1SB Cozy Up & Read Jarod K. Anderson, Laurien Berenson, Susanna Craig, Melissa Holtz Moderated by Ella Uhler Room 1SC 11:30 A.M. Middle Grade Magic Melissa Dassori, Terri Libenson, Jeff Miller, Sam Subity Moderated by Shawn Pryor Room 1SA Women, Reinvention & Finding Your Voice Christy Heitger-Ewing, Meghan Remington, Sarah Stankorb Moderated by Denise Derya Brandt Room 1SB Science Fiction Greg Howard, Emily Jane, John Scalzi, Marie Vibbert Moderated by Jeremy Clark Room 1SC 12:30 P.M. Teen Fiction Cinda Williams Chima, Jen Ferguson, Michelle Kulwicki, Shannon Stocker Moderated by Christen Randall Room 1SA First Books, Fresh Voices: Debut Authors Sonia Feldman, Devon Halliday, Avery Irons, Seth Panitch Moderated…