Newburyport Literary Festival

09/12/2026

We can’t wait for this!

Join us on Sunday, November 8, at 2:00 p.m., at Jabberwocky Books!

Please join us for a special fundraiser to support the 2027 Newburyport Literary Festival.

Reserve your spot: https://newburyportliteraryfestival.org/product/sara-reish-desmond/

Come support the Newburyport Literary Festival at Jabberwocky Books in Newburyport. I'll teach a 90 minute generative class centered on "place" in our narratives. All proceeds will benefit the 2026 Festival. Register here: https://newburyportliteraryfestival.org/product/sara-reish-desmond/

09/12/2026

Please join us for a special fundraiser to support the 2027 Newburyport Literary Festival.

In this 90-minute session led by writer Sara Reish Desmond, you’ll consider the significance of place in your writing. How does it serve and shape a narrative, how does it function like its own character? In this generative writing session, we’ll explore the idea of place by engaging with various prompts and taking a look at examples by writers who do it so well.

This class is intended for writers of all genres and experience levels. All proceeds benefit the 22nd annual Newburyport Literary Festival on April 23–25, 2027.

Register today at the link in our bio, as space is limited! Cost: $50

04/27/2026

There's something about the "What Are You Reading?" table at Jabberwocky that never gets old. Year after year, people stop to share the books they love, the ones that stayed with them, the ones they read again and again. It's one of our favorite traditions for a reason.

So...what's your favorite book?

04/27/2026

Three days. Forty-plus sessions. Hundreds of conversations about books, writing, history, and the power of words. The 2026 Newburyport Literary Festival is a wrap, and we are so full!

Thank you to our attendees, who showed up with curiosity and enthusiasm and made every room feel alive. Thank you to our authors, poets, historians, moderators, publishers, and editors, who gave so generously of their time and their craft. Thank you to our students, who reminded us why all of this matters. Thank you to our volunteers, who made everything run, and to our sponsors, who made it possible.

This festival exists because of every single one of you. We are already grateful, already inspired, and already thinking about next year.

See you in 2027!

04/27/2026

We couldn't have asked for a better ending. Nicole Beckley, Peter Berkrot, Sierra Gitlin, Sara Sheckells, James Dorau, Bonnie Jean Wilbur, and Jules DePasqua wrapped up the festival with "Women's Voices of Rebellion and Revolution," readings from the Revolutionary War era that reminded us just how much history left out. Powerful, moving, and exactly what this weekend was all about. Thank you to everyone who stayed until the very end. And to Museum of Old Newbury and Bethany Groff Dorau for the amazing source material!

04/26/2026

We're not done yet!

We're kicking the day off with a downtown walking tour, followed by a full schedule of remote sessions.

Have you registered for one yet? It's free! Check out the schedule an line-up and join us! https://newburyportliteraryfestival.org/2026-schedule-of-events/

04/25/2026

We’re a little over halfway through our Saturday programming and have been overwhelmed by the turnout, engagement, and incredible conversations.

We ❤️ this community.

04/25/2026

Today’s the day!

To make things easy for all you festival goers, we’re sharing a map of all our venues across downtown Newburyport. We can’t wait to see you!

Full schedule here: https://newburyportliteraryfestival.org/2026-schedule-of-events/

04/20/2026

Boston sports fans, this one's for you.

Editor Ron Borges brings together some of the most recognizable voices in Boston sports media for the launch of Tales of Titletown: How Boston Became America's Sports Capital—an audio-only collection celebrating the city's sports culture, history, and the personalities who made it legendary. The panel features Boston Globe basketball columnist Bob Ryan, Emmy Award-winning Bruins sportscaster Dale Arnold, former NFL commentator Upton Bell, and Chris Ciulla, moderated by Borges himself.

Saturday, April 25, at 2:30 p.m. at the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport. Also available via livestream.

Free for everyone, no registration required.

View the full line-up:

A Celebration of Literature, Readers, and Writers

04/19/2026

Join us for our closing ceremony event, with an evening of readings of women’s writing from the Revolutionary War era. As the U.S. reflects on 250 years as a nation, this event celebrates voices that were largely uncelebrated at the time, featuring presenters Nicole Beckley, Peter Berkrot, Sierra Gitlin, Sara Sheckells, and more.

Saturday, April 25, at 7:00 p.m. at the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport.

Free to all. No registration required.