This Harbor Springs Festival of the Book debuted with a bang in 2016, and the sophomore effort promises to be a worthy encore. The three-day event features readings, panel discussions and workshops with more than 50 different authors from across the world, spread over half a dozen venues from September 29 thru October 1. Check out named authors like The New York Times best-selling history writer Dan Jones, and The Girls of Atomic City author Denise Kiernan, who will be touring in support of a brand new book. Festival organizer Amy Gillard is personally looking forward to appearances by several notable authors in the young adult genre, including emerging YA star Mackenzi Lee. “There’s such good stuff in the YA categories right now,” she says. “You won’t want to miss any of it.”

Harbor Springs Festival of the Book Schedule

Friday, September 29
  • Ken Haedrich Brunch at the Market, 9:30–11:30 a.m.
  • Soup & Stories, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
  • Molly Yeh Luncheon, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
  • The Unexpected Facets of the Writing Life, 1:15 p.m.
  • Voyages of Self-Discovery, 2:45 p.m.
  • Sharing a Personal Narrative That Speaks to Every Person, 2:45 p.m.
  • Writing a Strong Sense of Place, 4:15 p.m.
  • In Conversation with Nicole Gulotta and Robin Sloan, 4:15 p.m.
  • Keynote Address with Denise Kiernan, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 30
  • The Craft of Keeping Readers in Suspense, 9 a.m.
  • In Conversation with Denise Kiernan and Dawn Mackeen, 9 a.m.
  • Picture Book Readings, 9:30 a.m.
  • “Book It” Fun Run, 10:30 a.m.
  • Making the Fantastical Believable, 10:30 a.m.
  • Tales From The Outsider, 10:30 a.m.
  • Soup & Stories, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
  • Poetry Readings, 1:15–4:45 p.m.
  • Words with Pictures and Pictures with Words, 1:15 p.m.
  • Secrets, Legacies and Heritage, 1:15 p.m.
  • The Power of Imagination, 2:45 p.m.
  • The Art of Writing Short Works, 2:45 p.m.
  • Loyal Friends for Tough Times, 4:15 p.m.
  • Dan Jones, 4:15 p.m.
  • All Presenter Book Signing & Happy Hour, 5–7 p.m.
  • Book Trivia Contest, 9 p.m.
Sunday, October 1
  • Chronicling Our Natural World on the Page, 9:30 a.m.
  • Young Women on the Brink, 9:30 a.m.
  • When Research & Storytelling Collide, 11 a.m.
  • Letting the Character Take the Lead, 11 a.m.
  • Brunch with Fiction Author Robin Sloan, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

Note, some events require tickets. Visit the Harbor Springs Festival of the Book website to purchase.


Restaurants to Visit During the Festival

Photo(s) by Festival of the Book