a town-wide celebration of the written and spoken word

planned under the auspices of the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library

Founded by Rob Mitchell 32 years ago, the Concord Festival of Authors celebrates the spoken and written word with over two weeks of town-wide programming. When Rob Mitchell retired in 2019, the administration and promotion of the Festival was transferred to the Friends of Concord Free Public Library. Each year, the Festival features events for the entire community, including lovers of genre literature, history, children’s stories, mystery, nature and biography. Award-winning and debut authors regularly headline the Festival as speakers and panelists. 

Many events are hosted in collaboration with Concord cultural organizations including The Concord Museum, Walden Woods Project, The Transcendentalism Council of First Parish, Trinitarian Congregational Church, Thoreau Society, Barefoot Books and The Barrow Bookstore. 

Most events are free with registration, unless noted on the website through generous sponsorship.   For more information on this year’s authors and venues, please visit www.concordfestivalofauthors.org.

Concord Festival of Authors 2024

Collaborating Organizations

Barefoot Books

Barrow Bookstore

Concord Bookshop

Concord’s Colonial Inn

Concord Free Public Library Corporation

Concord Museum

Miller Award for Excellence in American History (Friends of the CFPL)

Thoreau Society

Transcendentalism Council of First Parish

Walden Woods Project