Craft Talk and Workshop with Author and Illustrator Jaque Jours (In Person)
Join author/illustrator Jaque Jours, author of The Muéganos, for a conversation about the creative process behind her debut picture book with Adam Levy, her editor and publisher of Transit Children’s Editions. They’ll discuss the evolution of her work, from early sketches and visual storytelling to the editorial collaboration that shaped the final book, which has […]
John Johns: The Greatest Black Abolitionist You’ve Never Heard Of (In Person)
Join Julia Shipley for a conversation about John Johns, the greatest Black abolitionist you’ve never heard of. Discover the story of his 300-mile journey to freedom, and explore why his name has largely vanished from history, even though he sat down with Mark Twain in 1888 for the express purpose of preserving the extraordinary story […]
Banned, Challenged, Defended: Librarians Speak Out (Virtual)
Book challenges and bans continue to shape libraries and communities nationwide. Join librarians for a candid conversation about intellectual freedom, censorship, and the realities of responding to book challenges. Drawing on their professional experiences, they will discuss how librarians balance access, community concerns, and the freedom to read while serving the public. Moderated by Kate […]
Back-to-School in Bed-Stuy (In Person)
Join Brooklyn Book Bodega, House of SpeakEasy, and READ 718 for a celebration of young readers. Featuring Theodor Seuss Geisel Award–winning author and illustrator James Yang, reading from A Universe Big & Small: A Story About Carl Sagan. Families can enjoy crafts, giveaways, and free books for all ages. The event will also feature House […]
Is Genre Necessary? (In Person)
Join the Long Island University Brooklyn Summer Writing Program for a lively discussion on best-selling and award-winning authors’ relationship to genre. How do they decide what bookshelf they belong on? How has genre limitations impacted their creative process, and their professional path? Is genre a necessary tool, or a diminishing construct in contemporary publishing? Featuring […]
The Literary Lounge (In Person)
Literary Lounge is a welcoming gathering for book lovers and the book-curious alike. Spend time in community through Rapid Reads (speed-style book chats), a DIY Bookmark Station, Design a Book Cover, and a Book Xchange where you can swap a gently loved book for a new read. Enjoy music, connect with fellow readers, discover your […]
Behind the Counter: Stories from the Dominican Bodega (Virtual)
For many Dominicans, the neighborhood bodega is more than a corner store. It is a gathering place, a cultural archive, and a second home. Join authors Hilda Eunice Burgos (the Bodega Cats series), Abel Veloz (The Last Bodega in Jersey, Vol. I), and Amaris Castillo (Bodega Stories) for a conversation on writing Dominican-owned bodegas as […]
Patchwork Literary Salon: LGBTQ Debuts (In Person)
Patchwork Literary Salon brings together authors across genres and stages in their careers to create a colorful tapestry of literary community. This special BKBF Bookend event will spotlight LGBTQ debut fiction across genres, featuring brief readings, a panel discussion moderated by host Nadine Santoro, prizes, books for sale c/o Hive Mind Books, and BKBF-themed cocktail […]
Celebrating Women-Owned Black Bookstores (In Person)
Join the Center for Black Literature as we celebrate Women-Owned Black Bookstores. Inspired by the NYC Black-Owned Women Book Store Crawl, held in March 2026, the Center for Black Literature is proud to celebrate these remarkable women-owned bookstores that continue to enrich New York’s literary and cultural landscape. Brooklyn is home to an incredible network […]
Between the Page & Stage: Staten Island Youth Open Mic & Author Reading (In Person)
That’s Right Open Mic teams up with Nuyorican Poets Cafe and Staten Island Urban Center to celebrate local voices. On Saturday, September 26th from 3:00-6:00 PM at the Staten Island Urban Center, local young creators (ages 12–24) will share their art and lived experiences. The evening continues with a reading and Q&A with NYC author […]
Let’s Get Real
If you haven’t noticed, teens are dealing with A LOT these days. Whether it’s finding unexpected romance, exploring bodily autonomy and navigating one’s family and heritage, join New York Times bestselling authors Ashley Woodfolk (Call Your Boyfriend, w/Olivia Cole) Ibi Zoboi ((S)Kin) and critically acclaimed author Melissa Kantor (Biology Lessons) as they discuss how they […]
Can’t Help Falling in Love
From a fake relationship-turned-real in Tashie Bhuiyan‘s I’ll Pretend You’re Mine and former flames-turned-dorm mates in Page Powars‘ And They Were Roommates to a dual-contemporary and historical tale of love then and now in Jordyn Taylor’s Rebel Girls of Rome, sometimes love falls on you! Especially when you least expect it. Moderated by Xixi Tian […]
When Art Meets Politics
Whether you’re a modern teenager navigating spaces not built for people like you, uncovering a mystery centuries in the making, or falling in love against the backdrop of one of the darkest periods in Korean history, it’s impossible to separate our personal narratives from the political contexts in which we exist. Join authors Frederick Joseph […]
Growing Up and Moving On
Award-winning author Ebony Ladelle (This Could Be Forever) joins debut author Arriel Vinson (Under the Neon Lights) in this panel about the messiness of growing up, moving on, and starting the next chapter. With fearless portrayals of love in the face of heartache, navigating family expectations, and dreaming against all odds, these authors send their […]
The New Kids: 2025 Debut Authors Talk Process, Publishing, & Community (In Person)
Debut authors with books launching in 2025 discuss their books and the debut process – from the first idea to the actual launch. In addition to describing their different approaches to story and craft, they will share their experience with the community and support they found as they followed their paths to publication. Featuring authors […]
15th Annual Brooklyn Indie Party (In Person)
Greenlight is delighted to once again partner with Community of Literary Magazines & Presses (CLMP), as well as some of Brooklyn’s best independent book and magazine publishers, to throw a Brooklyn-sized party celebrating the spirit of literary independence in our borough. Partygoers are invited to have a drink, mingle with Brooklyn authors and publishers, discover […]
The Future is Latinx: New Generation (Virtual)
Join us for a discussion on the challenges faced by Latinx writers entering the literary world, and how they balance the pressure of writing for the Latinx community while still reaching wider audiences. Panelists and debut novels include: Veronica Chapa (Malinalli), Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro (Bochica), Alejandro Heredia (Loca), and Sofia Robleda (Daughter of Fire). Moderated by […]
Ctrl+Alt+Lit: Fan Fiction, Zines, and Independent Literature (In Person & Virtual)
From Tumblr threads to self-published novels, alternative literature is rewriting how we tell stories and who gets to tell them. Ctrl+Alt+Lit will explore how alt-lit remixes cultural narratives and creates community beyond traditional publishing, diving into a world shaped by parasocial relationships, the internet, and all of the media therein, including fan fiction, zines, newsletters, […]
The Harlem Writers Guild Celebrates 75 Years of Literary Excellence (Virtual)
Founded in 1950, the Harlem Writers Guild proudly celebrates 75 years of literary excellence and its mission to amplify African American voices. Join us for an unforgettable evening honoring the world’s oldest continuous organization of Black writers. Hear powerful readings from the works of legendary members—John Oliver Killens, Maya Angelou, Audre Lorde, Ossie Davis, Ruby […]
Back to School in Bed-Stuy (In Person)
Join READ 718, Brooklyn Book Bodega, and House of SpeakEasy for a back-to-school event celebrating young readers. United by a shared mission of building community, increasing book access, and fostering a love of reading, we invite families and book lovers to kick off the Bookends series. Featuring: readings, crafts, and giveaways at READ 718’s center […]
Read Around the World: Connecting Cultures Through Storytime (In Person)
Join Global School Brooklyn for a vibrant multilingual book event for families, featuring a rotating schedule of read-alouds in English, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Creole, German, and Chinese. Enjoy hands-on arts and crafts and browse a curated selection of children’s books in multiple languages. Meet Alyssa Reynoso-Morris, Emma Otheguy, Aitalina Romanova, Denise Adusei, Arlène Elizabeth Casimir, […]
Love Is A Fantasy
Go on an epic journey with renowned authors Adrienne Tooley (The Second Son), Ava Reid (A Study in Drowning), Chloe Gong (Foul Heart Huntsman), and Jordan Ifueko (The Maid and the Crocodile) as they discuss the elements that make up a thrilling and swoon-worthy romantasy novel–from a sapphic romance to a gothic Welsh fantasy to […]
When Worlds Collide
New York Times bestselling author Amélie Wen Zhao (Song of Silver, Flame Like Night), New York Times bestselling author Dustin Thao (When Haru was Here) and Pura Belpré honoree Camille Gomera-Tavarez (The Girl, The Ring, & The Baseball Bat) discuss how they tackle dreams, grief, epic battles, and relationships in alternate worlds that straddle reality […]
Great Expectations
Whether it’s creating an alter-ego for yourself in an online role-playing game, traversing the streets of New York to film a mockumentary about Ping-Pong, letting go of perfectionism in the wake of major tragedy, or entering into an admittedly hare-brained love coaching scheme, we often go to great lengths to contend with the expectations of […]
Are We Okay?
Join Coretta Scott King Award-winning author Jas Hammonds (Thirsty), illustrator and memoirist Jonell Joshua (How Do I Draw These Memories?), and New York Times bestselling author John Schu (Louder Than Hunger) for a conversation about the challenges and freedoms of writing about teen’s mental health and its effect on their relationships. Moderated by Elvira K. […]
Twists and Turns
Teen reads that are impossible to put down! NYT bestselling author Tiffany D. Jackson (The Weight of Blood) delivers an updated homage to Stephen King’s Carrie with a modern twist that explores racism within a small town. A suspenseful space opera by Eliot Schrefer (The Brightness Between Us) will have you holding your breath until […]
Romance for Every Reader
Fall in love with superstar authors Alexandra Bracken (Silver in the Bone), and Melissa See (Love Letters for Joy) as they dive deep into writing love stories across genres—from fantastical Arthurian fantasies to Cyrano retellings—and how they infuse their pages with tension, love, and even heartbreak. Moderated by Camryn Garrett (Friday I’m in Love).
Looking Within
Across fiction and real life, self-actualization can start early. Whether it’s the story of a humanoid robot whose consciousness is awakened when he falls in love, the memoir of a biracial American trying to connect with their Mexican family, or a young adoptee whose passion for cosplay, comics, and animation helps them accept the monster […]
Secrets, Lies, and Deadly Consequences
A body found in the woods in a ripped-from-the-headlines tale, a dangerous game—and attraction—you can’t refuse, and dark academia with enticing but possibly fatal outcomes… get ready to be pulled in and entangled by these thrillers from Mark Oshiro (Into the Light), Gail-Agnes Musikavanhu (Ride or Die), and Joelle Wellington (Their Vicious Games). Moderated by […]
New York, New York!
Whether it’s somewhere you dream of moving to one day, a place you met your very best friends, or a world in which you struggle to fit in, it’s hard to deny: there’s no city like New York City. Join acclaimed authors Don P. Hooper (True True), Patricia Park (Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of […]
Out of This World
Get whisked away to new worlds with renowned Omar Epps and Clarence A. Haynes (co-authors of the Nubia series) as they discuss the craft of writing their epic saga set in a climate-ravaged New York. In conversation by bestselling author Melissa Albert (Our Crooked Hearts).
Breaking All the Rules
Rules are made to be broken, especially when teens are charting their own destinies. Whether they’re looking for love in 1910s Chicago, experimenting with drag, or navigating family secrets from juvenile detention, sometimes the only way to survive societal expectations is to rewrite the rules completely. Bestselling author Krystal Marquis (The Davenports), debut novelist Dan […]
Fierce Reads Presents: The Thrills and Chills Tour (In Person)
From seemingly prestigious boarding schools filled with malicious forces to cutthroat competitions and dark magic in the catacombs of Paris, these young adult authors know how to keep you up at night! Join Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé (Ace of Spades), Jamison Shea (I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me), Tomi Oyemakinde (The Changing […]
Foul Heart Huntsman: An Event with Chloe Gong (In Person)
Live and in person with the Astoria Bookshop, at the Tony Bennett Concert Hall, celebrate the conclusion of the Foul Lady Fortune duology by Chloe Gong! Joining her in conversation is Amélie Wen Zhao, author of Song of Silver, Flame Like Night and the Blood Heir Trilogy. This event is ticketed. Tickets include a seat […]