08/28/2026
We are happy to partner with Discovery Park of America for the first-ever West Tennessee Celebration of Books, February 26-27, 2027!
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A new literary event, the West Tennessee Celebration of Books, will take place at Discovery Park of America in Union City, Tennessee on Friday, Feb. 26, and Saturday, Feb. 27, 2027.
The organizers of the event currently include Discovery Park, Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services, Paul Meek Library, the University of Tennessee at Martin, Obion River Regional Libraries and the West Tennessee Writing Project. The two-day event will celebrate reading, writing, storytelling and publishing while connecting children, families, adult readers, aspiring writers and regional authors.
The event will begin Friday, Feb. 26, 2027, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. with a writer’s workshop. The day will include panels, programs and activities for published or aspiring writers, storytellers and anyone interested in learning more about writing and publishing. Planned programming includes workshops on storytelling, discussions on self-publishing and panels featuring authors and publishing professionals discussing how books move from manuscript to marketplace.
A reception for authors, speakers and partners is also planned for Friday evening at 5:30–7 p.m. in Discovery Park’s Enlightenment Gallery.
On Saturday, Feb. 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the public will be invited to meet with regional authors who write in genres including fiction, memoir, history, biography, poetry, children’s literature and Southern storytelling. Authors will host tables throughout the museum where visitors can meet them, purchase books and have them signed. Children’s authors will have a designated area near the museum’s Children’s Fantasy Forest.
The day will also include author “Quick Talks,” on a mainstage, opportunities for media interviews, family literacy activities, children’s book programming, opportunities for podcasters to find great content and a featured keynote.
“Like our museum and heritage park, books open doors to places, people and ideas many children and adults may never encounter otherwise,” said Scott Williams, president and CEO of Discovery Park of America. “The West Tennessee Celebration of Books will give readers a chance to meet authors, give writers a place to learn and connect, and give partners an opportunity to advance literacy, creativity and educational access especially in our often underserved, rural communities.”
A complete schedule will be available soon.
Authors interested in being considered for inclusion in Saturday’s festival should fill out an application at discoveryparkofamerica.com/celebrationofbooks.
Organizations interested in partnering with Discovery Park on the West Tennessee Celebration of Books may contact Angela DeMaris at [email protected].
