Grab your tote, find a shady patch under the oak trees, and let Jackson’s literary scene light up your fall. The Mississippi Book Festival lineup is out, and it’s packed with storytellers who speak our language.
Swamp Dogg, the genre-blurring icon with 65+ years in the music industry, will bring his signature wit and grit to the mic. Meanwhile, John T. Edge, host of TrueSouth on ESPN and Hulu, returns to talk Southern foodways, expect gumbo stories with a side of soul. Honorée Fanonne Jeffers, whose novel The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois won just about everything, will speak truth on legacy, identity, and language. And Jackson’s own Jasmine L. Holmes brings heart and history with her powerful books celebrating Black women’s stories.
Beyond the panels, the festival vibe stays relaxed and local. Early risers can hit Urban Foxes for iced coffee, and Lemuria is rumored to be giving out mini notebooks with purchase. Kid-friendly zones are expected to return, with help from Pop JXN, and shady corners of the east lawn tend to fill fast, so bring your sunscreen, water, and something comfy to sit on.
Want the full schedule as it drops? Check out MS Book Festival
