Decatur Book Festival Builds for the Future with New Literary Leadership

Anna Dobben joins as Literary Director; Heidi Hill named to newly created Assistant Director role

DECATUR, Ga. — March 19, 2026 — The Decatur Book Festival (DBF) today announced the appointments of Anna Dobben as Literary Director and Heidi Hill as Assistant Director. Under the leadership of Executive Director Bailee Yarbrough, the two hires unite publishing industry expertise with deep community roots. This combination positions the festival for continued growth ahead of this year's festival on October 2–3.

Anna Dobben, Literary Director

Dobben brings a distinguished career spanning book publicity, literary nonprofit leadership, and festival programming. She has held roles at the San Antonio Book Festival and the National Book Foundation, and has consulted for literary arts nonprofits nationwide. Earlier in her career, she worked in the publicity departments of Alfred A. Knopf, Basic Books, and Grove Atlantic.

A graduate of Emory University and eight-time NCAA All-America swimmer, Dobben currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.

"As a student at Emory University, I attended the Decatur Book Festival, and it was there I first experienced the power of literary programming to build community, spark ideas, and introduce readers to new voices,” said Dobben. “Contributing to that mission now is a true full-circle opportunity. I look forward to working alongside DBF’s staff, board, and programming committee to connect books to readers, and spark social, creative, and intellectual engagement."

"Anna’s educational and professional experiences make her the ideal literary director who will preserve the quality and broaden the impact of the Decatur Book Festival,” said Yarbrough. “Her years as a book publicist sending authors to events around the country; her work as the Associate Director of the National Book Awards and as the literary director of the San Antonio Book Festival; and her lifelong passion for reading make her exceptionally well suited to lead this work.”

Heidi Hill, Assistant Director

Hill joins DBF in a newly created role focused on strategic planning and organizational development. An editor, consultant, and writer with more than two decades of experience in independent publishing, Hill has run her own editorial business and served as an adjunct professor in Lesley University’s low-residency MFA Writing Program. She has also led writing and editing workshops in Atlanta and Cambridge, Massachusetts.

A longtime Decatur resident, Hill brings a deep understanding of Atlanta's literary culture. She has been a consistent presence at DBF as an attendee, volunteer, and moderator and also served as PTA President at Winnona Park and Fifth Avenue elementary schools.

“Heidi will help develop a comprehensive and forward-looking strategy for the festival, setting goals and enabling the DBF team to successfully plan the 2026 festival, while also building a vision for 2027 and beyond,” said Yarbrough.

“Having lived and worked in Decatur for the past twenty years, I’ve known DBF since its beginnings, " said Hill. “When students or authors I work with realize I’m from Decatur and ask about the festival, I feel an immense sense of pride, as DBF is one of the most well-known and well-loved book festivals in the country, and it's right in my backyard. To help grow the festival alongside such a dedicated team means everything to me.”

“Both Anna and Heidi bring exactly what DBF needs at this stage,” said Yarbrough. “Anna’s extensive literary programming experience and publishing industry connections, combined with Heidi’s passion for nurturing writers and roots in the Decatur community will help deepen the festival’s connection to readers, writers, and the Metro Atlanta community!”

As a nonprofit organization, DBF welcomes financial and in-kind supporters at every level, with an individual giving campaign coming this spring. For sponsorship and partnership inquiries, please contact bailee@decaturbookfestival.com.

About Decatur Book Festival

The Decatur Book Festival has grown into one of the most beloved independent book festivals in the country, bringing together literary enthusiasts for an inclusive celebration of books and ideas every fall in Atlanta’s eastside gem of Decatur, Georgia. The 2026 Festival will take place on October 2-3, featuring award-winning and best-selling national, regional, and local authors, book signings, cooking demonstrations, and children’s programs that are free and open to the public. For more information, please visit decaturbookfestival.com.