Salem Literary Festival

Salem Literary Festival Salem Lit Fest brings together authors and readers from around the world to celebrate literature in all its forms.

The 2026 Salem Lit Fest will take place November 12–15 in-person and on Zoom. Check us out on social media for more details! Now presented by the Salem Athenaeum, the Salem Literary Festival was founded by Beth Simpson in 2008 as an extension of the events she created for the now defunct Cornerstone Bookstore. Since then, the Salem Lit Fest has grown to include hundreds of attendees, scores of vol

unteers, and dozens of authors. In 2014, the festival joined forces with New York Times bestselling author Brunonia Barry and her organization, Readers and Writers, Inc. The LitFest was held at historic venues in and around Salem that unite authors and book lovers. In 2016, the baton was passed by Bru to longtime LitFest partner, the Salem Athenaeum, which presented the 2017 festival on June 17, 2017. The Salem Lit Fest aims to inspire and promote literacy and a love of books and reading through programming featuring both contemporary authors and engagement with classic works of literature.

We're excited to check out these 2026 Mass Book Award winners and honorees from . Special shout out to Lit Fest alum Jil...
09/06/2026

We're excited to check out these 2026 Mass Book Award winners and honorees from . Special shout out to Lit Fest alum Jill Lepore!

Do you have the next great Sci Fi or Horror story in you? We have two great classes coming up to help you write that st...
09/04/2026

Do you have the next great Sci Fi or Horror story in you? We have two great classes coming up to help you write that story.

Info at link in the bio.

All the kids are going back to school; why not take the chance to stretch yourself and learn something new? We have two ...
08/29/2026

All the kids are going back to school; why not take the chance to stretch yourself and learn something new? We have two great classes coming up to expand your writing craft and challenge your brain in new directions.

Info at link in the bio.

Summer may be winding down, but books can take you anywhere, any time. Find your new favorite reads at Salem Literary Fe...
08/27/2026

Summer may be winding down, but books can take you anywhere, any time. Find your new favorite reads at Salem Literary Festival. November 12-15.
Salemlitfest.org

Thank You ! We loved your class! Thank you for being so fantastic. And thanks to everyone who took the class for support...
08/25/2026

Thank You ! We loved your class! Thank you for being so fantastic. And thanks to everyone who took the class for supporting The Salem Literary Festival while they learn. If you missed out there are two more classes coming up:

9/26 - Ken Liu
10/03 - Gillian Daniels

Both in person in Salem. Check them out and sign up today so you don't miss out!

Happy FIND YOUR INNER NERD Day! We found ours years ago, so we found you some Salem book-nerd hangs instead. Enjoy (and ...
08/23/2026

Happy FIND YOUR INNER NERD Day! We found ours years ago, so we found you some Salem book-nerd hangs instead. Enjoy (and feel free to tell us what we missed!)

Zoom in for a one-hour novel-writing workshop with bestselling author Hank Phillippi Ryan! Learn while supporting the 20...
08/21/2026

Zoom in for a one-hour novel-writing workshop with bestselling author Hank Phillippi Ryan! Learn while supporting the 2026 Salem Literary Festival!

You still have time to cash in on the one-day sale for Hank’s workshop!Save $20 on registration TODAYUse the code SAVE20...
08/20/2026

You still have time to cash in on the one-day sale for Hank’s workshop!

Save $20 on registration TODAY
Use the code SAVE20
Offer expires at midnight!

GET STARTED SATURDAY with Hank Phillippi Ryan FROM ANYWHERE! 10 a.m. EDT

Today Only! (Thursday, August 20)Save $20 on registration Use the code SAVE20Offer expires at midnight!Get that novel go...
08/20/2026

Today Only! (Thursday, August 20)
Save $20 on registration
Use the code SAVE20
Offer expires at midnight!

Get that novel going! Start Saturday FROM HOME ON ZOOM with Hank Phillippi Ryan!

Join bestselling author Hank Phillippi Ryan Saturday August 22 at 10 EDT for a one-hour Zoom class on writing your novel...
08/19/2026

Join bestselling author Hank Phillippi Ryan Saturday August 22 at 10 EDT for a one-hour Zoom class on writing your novel!

Address

337 Essex Street
Salem, MA
01970

Telephone

(978) 744-2540

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