The New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University brings the world’s leading authors to the university’s uptown campus for a multi-day celebration for book lovers of all ages. The festival features engaging conversations, readings and demonstrations that provide an opportunity for authors and readers to interact with each other in one of the most vibrant cities in the world.
Major additions and changes to the schedule after the initial announcement will be logged on this page.
Author Lineup Changes
Please note the following authors were previously announced as part of the 2026 lineup and are no longer able to attend the festival: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Vanessa Kroll Bennett, Ron Bechet, Elizabeth Beller, Deepak Chopra, John Currence, Todd Doughty, Nicholas Eberstadt, Annabelle Gurwitch, Margaret Hoover, Nick Jenisch, John Kenney, Alicia McKenzie, Ali Terese, Will Tracy, and Darren Walker.
Schedule Changes
- John Stubbs has been added to: Culinary Heritage: Memory, Place & the Responsibility to Preserve | Edgar “Dook” Chase IV + John Stubbs | Moderated by: Ti Martin. Read more
- The Amazing Generation: Your Guide to Fun & Freedom in a Screen-Filled World | Catherine Price | Moderated by: President Michael A. Fitts session title has changed to How to Break Up With Your Phone and Come Back to Life. Read more
Newly Added:
A Conversation with Senator John Kennedy | Moderated by: Walter Isaacson. Saturday, March 14 at 3:00 PM in Dixon Hall. (updated 3/12/26 at 7 a.m.)
Festival Schedule Updates
Due to weather and travel delays affecting some visiting authors, a few adjustments have been made to the festival schedule. Please review the updates below.
Please note, John Kenney is no longer able to attend the festival.
Friday Updates
Canceled:
- Don’t Miss the Plot: Finding Meaning & Purpose in Life Through Fiction | John Kenney and Wally Lamb | Moderated by Zibby Owens (Originally scheduled for Friday, March 13 at 10:00 a.m. in Marshall Family Commons)
- John Kenney Book Signing (Originally scheduled for Friday at 11:15 a.m.)
Rescheduled:
- Wright Thompson Book Signing (Originally scheduled for Friday at 4:00 p.m., rescheduled to Saturday at 2:15 p.m.)
Saturday Updates
- The Barn: The Secret History of a Murder in Mississippi | Wright Thompson | Moderated by Imani Perry (Originally scheduled for Friday at 2:30 p.m. | Dixon Hall)
New time: Saturday, March 14 at 3:00 p.m.
New location: Kendall Cram Lecture Hall, LBC - Stay in the Game: Making the Most of Every Season | Matt Forté | Moderated by Jeff Duncan (Originally scheduled for Saturday, March 14 at 3:00 p.m. | Kendall Cram Lecture Hall, LBC)
New time: Saturday at 12:00 p.m. in Kendall Cram Lecture Hall, LBC - Juan Williams Book Signing
Newly added: Saturday at 11:15 a.m. - Matt Forté Book Signing
New time: Saturday at 1:15 p.m. - Wright Thompson Book Signing
New time: Saturday at 2:15 p.m. (Rescheduled from Friday)
