Bookmarks’ annual Festival of Books and Authors officially opened in Winston-Salem this weekend with a sold-out keynote featuring best-selling authors John Green and Angie Thomas. The event marks a high-profile return for the literary festival, drawing readers and visitors to programming that will continue across the city through the weekend.
Headline keynote draws full house
Green — whose new novel, Hollywood Ending, is his first work of fiction since 2017’s Turtles All the Way Down — shared the stage with Thomas for the opening program. Organizers said the keynote was sold out, and attendees described a palpable excitement as Green took the stage to discuss his new book and his connection to readers.
"It's such an impressive city. It's grown so much since the last time I visited a few years ago," Green said, reflecting on his visit to Winston-Salem.
He described the festival appearance as part of a larger national tour — his stop in Winston-Salem was Day 5 of a 21-day tour — and expressed appreciation for the scale of contemporary literary events. "Books really do have the power to transform our lives, and I'm just so grateful that I get to share stories with readers. But I'm also grateful that I get to be a reader," he said.
Local attendees highlight community impact
Among those in the audience was Maya Wood, a 19-year-old kinesiology and sports medicine student at UNC Greensboro, who said Green’s work influenced her personal and academic journey. She credited a connection to his earlier novel for inspiring her involvement in cancer research, and said she was grateful to be part of a regional tradition that brings authors into direct contact with readers.
Festival organizers and community leaders position Bookmarks as more than a series of readings: it is a weekend of author signings, local vendors, interactive activities and programming that supports literacy and arts engagement across the Triad. Attendees said the opportunity to meet authors and connect with other readers is a central draw.
What to expect this weekend
- Events: Author panels, signings, workshops and vendor marketplaces.
- Featured speakers: John Green and Angie Thomas headlining the opening keynote.
- Audience: Local readers, students, families and out-of-town visitors attending a sold-out keynote and additional sessions throughout the weekend.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Keynote | John Green and Angie Thomas — sold out |
| Local participation | Author signings, vendors, interactive activities |
| Tour note | Green’s Winston-Salem stop was Day 5 of a 21-day tour |
Local implications and community ties
For Winston-Salem, the festival highlights the city’s growing profile as a center for arts and culture. Green’s observation that Winston-Salem is a "city of art and innovation" echoed comments from local attendees who noted visible growth in the downtown arts scene in recent years. Events like Bookmarks bring direct economic activity to restaurants, shops and hotels, and they help cultivate year-round cultural programming.
Organizers emphasized the festival’s role in promoting reading and community engagement. With programming aimed at a broad cross-section of ages and interests, Bookmarks serves schools, university students, families and adult readers in the Triad, offering free and ticketed events designed to expand access to writers and publishers.
The festival continues through the weekend with additional signings, panels and activities. For residents planning to attend, organizers recommend checking the official Bookmarks schedule for session times and availability, as headlining events have already reached capacity.
Coverage of the festival will continue as more sessions occur and organizers share updates on programming and attendance figures.
