Abrea Armstrong Will Debut Novel at Bookmarks Festival
The 21st annual event in Winston-Salem will feature over 50 authors and a community reading program.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Cultural
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Author Abrea Armstrong will present her debut novel, Ferry Tales, at the 21st Bookmarks Festival of Books and Authors in Winston-Salem. The event, which kicks off with a street festival on September 26, 2026, aims to foster community dialogue through literature.
Why it matters
The festival serves as a platform for critical conversations surrounding Black identity, education, and the power of storytelling. By integrating events like the Authors in Schools program, the festival seeks to engage the next generation of readers and writers.
The festival features more than 50 participating authors this year. Additionally, the event is working toward a goal of distributing 5,000 copies of the selected Book With Purpose title, Punished for Dreaming by Bettina L. Love.
The players
Abrea Armstrong
She is the author of the debut novel Ferry Tales which received the 2024 Ann Petry Award.
Bettina L. Love
She is the author of the book Punished for Dreaming which was selected for the 2026 Book With Purpose program.
Red Hen Press
This independent publishing house is the publisher for Abrea Armstrong's upcoming novel.
John Green
He is an author known for his young adult fiction who will deliver the opening keynote at the festival.
Jodi Picoult
She is a bestselling author of numerous novels who will co-present the closing keynote event.
The details
The festival program includes a diverse range of activities, such as author panels held at the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts and Calvary Moravian, as well as keynote sessions at Wait Chapel. Red Hen Press, which published Armstrong's award-winning manuscript, has scheduled the official release of the novel for September 29, 2026.
Timeline
September 24, 2026: Abrea Armstrong appears at the festival.
September 25, 2026: John Green delivers the opening keynote.
September 26, 2026: Free downtown street festival takes place.
September 27, 2026: Jodi Picoult and Virginia Evans provide the closing keynote.
September 29, 2026: Ferry Tales is officially published.
Industry Dynamics
This event highlights the increasing importance of regional literary festivals in building momentum for new authors. By bridging the gap between national literary recognition and local community engagement, the festival mirrors a broader shift toward inclusive, experience-based book marketing.
Attendees can participate in the street festival for free on September 26, 2026, and access various panels at downtown venues. Fans can purchase the new novel following its release on September 29, 2026, and engage with the author during her scheduled appearances.
The takeaway
Literary festivals provide unique opportunities for readers to engage directly with authors before their works hit the shelves. Implementing a community reading program can help foster local connections and meaningful dialogue centered on shared storytelling experiences.
Further reading
Discover more community-driven events and literary programs on the Winston-Salem Cultural section page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WS Chronicle.
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