A preliminary lineup of speakers will be announced in June with the full roster of speakers being released in early September. Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates!

Charleston, SC is the home of the Festival and live events are presented at Dock Street Theatre in the historic downtown area. All events are held within easy walking distance of local amenities such as boutique hotels, great shopping and plentiful restaurants.

Most events revolve around intimate conversations between authors and interlocutors and include a 10-15 minute Q & A opportunity with audience members. Programs last about an hour and only one event is scheduled at a time, so you never have to miss a speaker.

The Festival program is carefully curated on the basis of literary excellence and critical acclaim. Our aim is to share and discuss innovative stories and ideas that stem from recent and classical books, and to inform, enrich and entertain.

Seating at Dock Street Theatre is general admission.

There is a preferred seating section for donors at the front of the theatre.

We anticipate that over 60 authors and interlocutors, most of whom are writers, will participate in the 2026 Festival.

The majority of presenting authors appearing at the festival are by invitation only, however, we do consider unsolicited submissions on a case-by-case basis. If you would like to submit yourself as a speaker for the Festival please fill out our Author Submission Form.

The Festival program is carefully curated based on national and international literary excellence, resonance, and relevance.

Please note:

• We do not hold book signings or books sales for authors not included in the Festival programming

• We do not offer author or vendor booths

• We do not have children’s programming

• We do not include self-published books in our programming 

There will be a pop-up bookstore at Dock Street Theatre during the Festival which will have the most recent works of all the Festival speakers, plus some previous titles and related materials available for purchase.

You can also visit the local independent bookstores in the Charleston area. Find a list of them HERE.

Signings will take place following most in-person events. Some authors may sign book plates in advance. You may bring your own copy to be signed, as well.

To become a Festival sponsor, please visit the Sponsor page!

You can contact Suzanne Pollak, our Director of Development, at suzanne.pollak@charlestonliteraryfestival.com.

There are many ways to support the Festival. Gifts, regardless of size, ensure that the Festival continues and makes it possible to broaden event access to students and others through free and reduced-price tickets. Click here to go to our Donate page and donate to the Festival via our website. Or alternatively, contact Suzanne Pollak, our Director of Development, at suzanne.pollak@charlestonliteraryfestival.com.

Stay connected with us and follow our social media channels on Instagram, Facebook and X. Our social media will keep you up to date with the latest Festival announcements.

Yes! We love volunteers! Please fill out our Volunteer Interest Form HERE.

Yes. The Charleston Literary Festival is presented by Charleston to Charleston, Inc., an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation organized in 2016 under the laws of the State of South Carolina.