Authors Daniel Black and Cebo Campbell discuss Campbell's debut novel at the 2025 New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University. Photo by: Ryan Hodges Rigsbee.
New Orleans Book Fest Staff
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Not even the threat of rain could dampen the energy of the 4th Annual New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University, held March 27-29, 2025. Early estimates show attendance grew by 3,000 visitors, with the festival welcoming an estimated 18,000 attendees, marking another consecutive 20% increase.
Book lovers traveled from across the country to experience the festival. A group from Iowa made Tulane’s book fest a stop on their nationwide tour of literary events. Two mothers, one from New York and the other from California, joined their Tulane undergrad daughters at the fest. A couple from Michigan visiting friends in Baton Rouge made the drive to New Orleans for the event. Meanwhile, organizers from Savannah, Georgia, hoping to expand their own book festival, attended to observe firsthand how to create a vibrant, multifaceted literary celebration.
Attendees came from all walks of life—a radiologist, a Navy SEAL, Tulanians, families and local residents. Neighbors strolled or biked to campus, while others from Metairie and beyond used the shuttle service from reserved parking lots.
They came to hear from a dynamic lineup of authors spanning fiction and science, politics and poetry. They listened to journalists, university professors and military experts. They gathered for chefs who have preserved and refined generations of recipes and explored the future of plant-based cooking.
Opening night set the tone for the festival’s impact, as a line stretched from McAlister Auditorium all the way to Freret Street. Attendees eagerly awaited a double-header event featuring Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, alongside the magazine’s award-winning journalists. Even those who ended up in the overflow room for the live-streamed session described it as “amazing.”
This year’s festival explored themes of leadership—across business, government, military, and sports—along with truth in troubled times, resilience in pursuing one’s passion, and the intersection of history, space and artificial intelligence.
On Friday morning, Dr. Anthony Fauci received multiple standing ovations in the packed McAlister Auditorium as he reflected on his Brooklyn childhood, Jesuit education and decades of service in public health.
Archie Manning, with the help of his eldest son Cooper, shared his thoughts on leadership, offering insights into football, family and the values that shaped his career.
Journalist Don Lemon reflected on his personal and professional journey, exploring themes of redemption, identity and resilience.
Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna, Ph.D., explained CRISPR gene-editing technology in a way that was accessible to all—just as she aims to do with her students. She also emphasized how scientific progress thrives on both competition and collaboration, and the importance of bridging the gap between the sciences and the humanities.
On Saturday, historian Doris Kearns Goodwin examined the political dynamics and unrest of the 1960s, sharing insights into the presidencies of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. In a later session, she joined Harvard professor Michael Sandel for a thought-provoking discussion on America’s deepening political divides, asking: How did we get to this point?
At Family Day at the Fest, children excitedly shared with their parents and friends, “look at my books!” after making their selections at the Scholastic book giveaway. Family Day also saw an increase in attendees, with some attendees shuttling from across the city to attend the author readings, signings and enrichment activities from a number of local non-profit partners.
This year's festival also debuted The Burgundy Room with book enthusiasts Cleo Wade and Nicole Richie and presented in partnership with ELEMENT. The vibrant, cozy space acted as the festival's living room creating an interactive space for reflection, connection and intimate conversations with authors.
As attendees left McAlister Auditorium, one man summed up the festival in a single word: “Remarkable.” His companion added, “And accessible.” Featured author Michael Sandel perhaps said it best when he called the New Orleans Book Festival “a gift.”
Sessions from the 2025 festival can be viewed on the festival's YouTube channel.
