The inaugural Petersburg Book Fest, hosted by Resist Booksellers, will take place onSaturday, Sept. 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School in Petersburg, Virginia.

This one-day literary festival will showcase local and national authors, educators, artists and independent publishers, offering something for everyone – from author meet-and-greets, book signings and panel discussions to family-friendly programming such as children’s story time sessions, local food vendors and hands-on activities.

Demetrius Frazier is the owner of Resist Booksellers, a Black-owned independent bookstore that opened in Petersburg in 2022. He saw a literary festival as a way to improve access to diverse voices and create inclusive spaces where literacy, creativity and community can flourish.

“Petersburg deserves a space that not only celebrates books, but also affirms the richness of our stories and culture,” said Frazier in a press release. “We’re excited to bring people together across generations to read, learn and grow.”

The Petersburg Book Fest is free and open to the public.

For more details about the event and featured guests visit www.petersburgbookfest.com

Keynote Speakers:

Keynote speakers are, from left: Ayanna Gray, Kelly J. Baptist, Frederick Jones and Sandra Jackson-Opoku.

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