Decatur Book Festival Welcomes Keynote Saeed Jones and Kidnote Angie Thomas for 20th Anniversary

DECATUR, Ga. — Now in its 20th year, the Decatur Book Festival (DBF) continues its legacy as one of the country’s most cherished literary events, returning on October 3–4, 2025 with acclaimed authors Saeed Jones and Angie Thomas. 

As part of the festival’s dynamic and inclusive literary culture, DBF will present Angie Thomas as this year’s “Kidnote” speaker on Friday, October 3rd in Presser Hall at Agnes Scott College. Thomas, the bestselling author of The Hate U Give, returns with the highly anticipated sequel to the instant #1 New York Times bestseller, Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Book of Anansi. Inspired by African American folklore and the spirit of adventure, Thomas' latest work promises to ignite young imaginations and provoke meaningful conversations across generations.

Award-winning poet and cultural critic Saeed Jones will speak to his deeply moving new liberatory anthology curated in collaboration with Maggie Smith, The People's Project – Poems, Essays, and Art for Looking Forward, in a keynote discussion with anthology contributors Victoria Chang, Tiana Clark and Aruni Kashyap on Friday, October 3rd in the Sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Decatur. A meditation on hope, identity, and resilience, Jones’ work invites readers into a future shaped by creativity, compassion, and collective action.

In anticipation, Jones shared, “I'm honored to be participating in this anniversary milestone with the Decatur Book Festival. Now more than ever, it is important to come together and discuss the art that moves and activates us. I look forward to celebrating The People’s Project with Decatur's literary community. Let’s get free together!”

Once again, DBF is proud to partner with Brave + Kind Bookshop, Charis Books and More, Eagle Eye Books, and Little Shop of Stories as this year’s featured booksellers.

As a treasured civic event for 20 years, DBF promises a weekend of live author Q&As, book signings and a spectrum of activities, entertainment and exhibitors to Decatur. Additional lineups and programming are to be announced in the coming months. All festival events are free and open to the public; however, advanced registration is encouraged for the keynote and the kidnote on Friday, October 3rd. 

The Decatur Book Festival continues to welcome financial and in-kind supporters at all levels for this year’s 20th anniversary festival. For inquiries, please contact Executive Director Leslie Wingate at leslie@decaturbookfestival.com.

About Decatur Book Festival

Since its launch in 2006, the Decatur Book Festival (DBF) has grown into one of the most beloved independent book festivals in the country, bringing together a community of readers, authors, and literary enthusiasts for an inclusive celebration of books and ideas every fall in Atlanta’s eastside gem of Decatur, Georgia. The 2025 Decatur Book Festival is open to the public and will take place from October 3-4, featuring award-winning, best-selling national, regional and local authors, book signings, cooking demonstrations, programs and activities. For more information, visit decaturbookfestival.com.