Name: Hickory Literary Festival
Start: 2026-04-25T10:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-04-26T17:00:00-04:00
Location: 375 3rd St NE, Hickory, NC, United States, North Carolina 28601

Hickory Public Library will host the second annual Hickory Literary Festival with featured authors Virginia Evans and Meagan Church on Saturday, April 25, and Sunday, April 26, on the SALT Block.
Presented by Corning in partnership with Redhawk Publications, My Chapter House, and The Center for Creative & Compassionate Communities, this free community event is open to all ages and designed to celebrate reading, writing, books, and creativity.
The festival will feature a variety of vendors along with author talks, a writing workshop, poetry sessions, entertainment, and other literacy-focused activities throughout the weekend on the SALT Block.
Author Talks
Several notable authors will speak at Drendel Auditorium on Saturday, promoting their books and offering insights into the writing and publishing process. All authors will stay for book signings at the conclusion of their presentations.
Virginia Evans, author of the New York Times bestseller "The Correspondent," will speak at 11 a.m. “The Correspondent” was chosen as the official 2026 selection for the Hickory Reads one-book, one-community initiative.
Joy Callaway, Charlotte-based historical fiction and contemporary romance author, will speak at 12:30 p.m. with Vanessa Miller, a USA Today bestselling author of more than 50 titles exploring faith, redemption, and resilience.
Meagan Church, author of New York Times and USA Today bestselling books “The Mad Wife,” “The Girls We Sent Away,” and “The Last Carolina Girl,” will speak at 2 p.m.
Bestselling author and poet Ron Rash will host a conversation with authors David Dickson, Tim Peeler, Patty Thompson, and Rhonda Browning White at 3 p.m.
Because of high interest, patrons are encouraged to register for all author talks at hickory.librarycalendar.com. Registration is free.
Writing Workshop
At 1 p.m. on Saturday, Lenoir-Rhyne University professor Dale Bailey will host a writing workshop for anyone interested in improving their literary skills in a hands-on setting. Bailey is the author of “The End of the End of Everything: Stories” and “The Subterranean Season: A Novel,” both released in 2015.
Reserve your seat for this writing workshop online at hickory.librarycalendar.com.
Redhawk Poetry Sessions
Redhawk Publications will host two poetry sessions for poets and poetry fans on Saturday in the Keiser Room on the SALT Block.
A poetry discussion with Joseph Bathanti, Al Maginnes, and Chris Nelson will begin at 11:30 a.m.
A Sharing of Poems with Hickory Poet Laureate Scott Owens and friends will begin at 1:30 p.m. Featured poets at this poetry session include JoJo Barrett, Suzette Clark Bradshaw, Cory Bragg, Bud Caywood, Patricia Deaton, Narya Rose Deckard, Maeve Fox, R. Steve Martin, Doug McHargue, Arlene Neal, Gary V. Powell, Jonathan K. Rice, and Marlo Scheitler.
Entertainment
Multiple musical acts will perform at the new outdoor stage beside Patrick Beaver Memorial Library on Saturday, April 25.
The Hickory Suzuki School will perform at 10:30 a.m., following the 10 a.m. welcome and opening announcements.
Musicians with the Hickory Music Factory will perform at 12 p.m.
The New Horizons Orchestra will perform at 1 p.m.
The Hickory Public Library Songwriting Club will perform a showcase at 2 p.m. at, led by Golden Rule Music School owner Andrew Massey.
All music performances on Saturday are free and open to the public with no registration required.
On Sunday, April 26, author Etaf Rum and musicians Grace Lin Anderson and Jennifer Curtis will offer a special ticketed event at the Hickory Choral Society Rehearsal Hall on the SALT Block from 3-5 p.m. Up Close and Personal blends performing arts with literary arts in an interactive environment. More details and pricing information can be found online at www.hickorync.gov/hickoryliteraryfestival.
Family Activities
Festival attendees will receive free admission to Catawba Science Center on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Families can enjoy a wide selection of hands on arts and crafts activities offered throughout the festival.
Melanie Sue Bowles, author of children’s books “Liberty Biscuit” and “Little Pearl,” will read to children on the North Lawn at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Learn more about the upcoming Hickory Literary Festival at www.hickorync.gov/hickoryliteraryfestival.
The SALT Block, a cultural arts complex bringing the Sciences, Arts, and Literature Together on one block, is located in front of Patrick Beaver Memorial Library at 375 Third Street NE in Hickory.
For more information, contact Library Director Sarah Greene at [email protected].