By Becky Holland
HAWKINSVILLE, Ga. — Books, authors and a shared love of reading took center stage Saturday, Oct. 3, as Hawkinsville hosted its first annual Hawkinsville Book Festival.
Presented by the M.E. Roden Memorial Library and the City of Hawkinsville, the free event brought together authors representing a variety of literary genres, giving readers an opportunity to discover new books, meet the people behind the stories and purchase signed copies.
Held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 42 S. Lumpkin St., the festival featured authors, books, panel discussions, vendors, food trucks, raffles and special activities.
Among the participating authors was Shelly Berryhill, a familiar name to readers of The Ledger through his weekly column, “Things I Think About.” Berryhill attended the festival with his book, The Third Day Pattern: Hidden Hope in the Old Testament, and other works exploring Christian faith.
The festival’s participating authors represented a wide range of reading interests.
Laura Holt featured her contemporary gothic fantasy novel, A Spell of Shadows, while children’s author Megan Underwood introduced young readers to Louie the Lobster’s Great Escape.
Brenda Anderson shared Lessons from My Father, a book with a personal family theme, while Coach Nrgy Abrams featured Unlocked: Seven Keys to Mastering Your Mind, Emotions, and Purpose.
Bradford McCall showcased Macroevolution, Contingency, and Divine Activity, a work examining divine involvement in an evolutionary world.
The variety of books represented at the festival offered something for readers with interests ranging from children’s adventures and fantasy to inspirational literature, theology and personal development.
Throughout the event, authors had opportunities to display their books, interact with festival visitors and share their work. Participating authors also advertised signed copies and promotional giveaways with purchases, while supplies lasted.
Beyond the books, the festival highlighted the role libraries and community partnerships can play in supporting literacy and connecting writers with their audiences.
For independent authors, events such as the Hawkinsville Book Festival provide an opportunity to introduce their work directly to readers. For visitors, they offer a chance to discover a new favorite book while supporting the people who write them.
With its inaugural festival, Hawkinsville added another event to Middle Georgia’s literary calendar, bringing together writers, readers and community members for a day devoted to the written word.
Photos: Participating authors and their books at the inaugural Hawkinsville Book Festival, held Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
Photos by Becky Holland/Berryhill Family
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