2026 Sponsors We proudly recognize our 2026 sponsors. Their generous support helps make the Williamsburg Book Festival possible.

Share your writing and enter for a chance to win a cash prize. Student Writing Contest 2026 Winners: Middle School Poetry 1st - Twanae Simpson - "Childhood" 2nd - Casey Campbell - "Ocean Eyes" 3rd - Ailee Lewis - "The Memory Tree" Non-Fiction 1st - Caitlyn Schoolfield - "Glittering Gemstones" 2nd - Abigail Smart - "A Queen who Changed the World" Fiction 1st - Emilia Yu - "Eden" 2nd - William Lelegren - "There Goes Mathew!" 3rd - Natalee Duplain - "My Snow Filled Heart" High School Poetry 1st - Levi Roggero - "Elegy of the Deep" 2nd - Rhema Erebholo - "Of Passion and Color" 3rd - Ashlie Chamberliss - "In the Mirror" Non-Fiction 1st - Louise Wang - "New Horizons" 2nd - Cailyn Jiao - "Without Silence" 3rd - Ainsley Asbury - "Setbacks to Setups" Fiction 1st - Levi Roggero - "Nightfall" 2nd - Charlotte Gariepy - "Farewell" 3rd - Anna Cook - "Secret Society for Human Salvation" College Poetry 1st - Rex Farr - "Myosotis Blues" 2nd.- Naomi Linde - "Sublime" 3rd - "Sadie Wallander - "Idlewild" Non-Fiction 1st - Lucy Loudon - "Family Recipes" SEND SPONSORED BY

< Back Chris Whitlatch Chris Whitlatch is an author, game creator, and nonprofit marketer, but he especially likes to be known as a storyteller. With a lifelong passion for animals, he has just release a new series called Animal Heroes. The first book is all about goats and their superpowers. Next

< Back S.J. Lee S.J. Lee is the award-winning author of the dystopian military speculative fiction Altered Earth series and is currently in the foreign service. She holds a masters of science in security and intelligence and dual bachelors of science in different business fields. Her career has taken her to Iraq, Mexico, Chile, India, Brazil, and Guyana. She lives in the Washington, D.C. area with her spouse and their rescued street dog. Next

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< Back Patsy Asuncion Patsy Asuncion, retired educator and Palm Beach Principal of the Year, has Cut on the Bias, Lineage of Weeds, and now, A Universal Belonging. Patsy's work is in twenty-plus other publications, e.g., New York Times, Sixty-Four Best Poets of 2019, About Place, Artemis, Cutthroat. Patsy, a bi-racial first-generation immigrant, promotes diversity through national, community, & open mic events. Find her at www.patsy-asuncion.com Next

< Back S.K. Ehra S.K. Ehra is an author of fantasy, horror, and all that lies between. When not reading or writing, she can be found wandering the woods and, while skittish, is friendly when approached. Next

< Back Elizabeth Duncan-Hawker Elizabeth Duncan Hawker is an award winning speaker on communications, Business trainer, and bestselling author of COLLECTING TRUE FRIENDS. With warmth, humor, and practical insight, she has helped thousands learn how to cultivate meaningful relationships, strengthen trust socially and professionally, and leave loneliness behind—without compromising their values. A mother of three and woman of faith, Elizabeth blends real life stories with proven connection strategies that empower and resonate with readers of all ages. COLLECTING TRUE FRIENDS reveals that authentic friendship is a skill anyone can learn. Visit Elizabeth’s table, meet the author, and discover how TRUE connection transforms your life. Next

< Back Ron Peterson, Jr Ron Peterson, Jr is a bestselling author of five true crime books that explore some of Virginia’s most compelling mysteries. Three of his books have been adapted for television. He is a graduate of Radford University and makes his home in the historic downtown of Smithfield, Virginia. Next

< Back Taylor Hartley Taylor Hartley graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and a minor in Creative Writing. Inspired largely by Tamora Pierce and Madeline L’Engle, Taylor started writing stories when they were nine years old and never looked back. Next

< Back George WB Scott George WB Scott is an East Tennessee book author and video producer, with a life-long interest in European and American history. Scott was born in Stuart, Florida, and graduated from Martin County High School. Scott's previous books include "I Jonathan, A Charleston Tale of the Rebellion," and "Growing Up In Eden," a childhood memoir. Website: SouthernRocket.net Next

< Back J.S. Furlong J.S. Furlong has told stories all her life. She has written, directed, and produced for theatre, circus, film and television. She is the author of the best selling speculative supernatural suspense series THE UNIMAGINABLES and middle grade series Meredith's World featuring tween versions of the Unimaginables' main characters. Under her maiden name, Jennifer Albright, she is the author of Antagonists: Mind’s Eye Theatre for Vampire: The Masquerade, and played a small, but pivotal role on Buffy: The Vampire Slayer. Between novels, she raises dairy goats, works in the theatre and stays close to her espresso machine. She lives in an 1850's Virginia farm house with her husband and four teenagers. Next