The inaugural Maynard Book Festival was held on Saturday, March 31, 2012, following several years of successful "Maynard Reads Together" community events. The theme for the 2012 Festival was "The Stories We Tell," and the keynote speakers were authors Andre Dubus III and Richard Russo. The "Maynard Reads Together" books were Russo's Empire Falls and Dubus's Townie. A panel discussion on "Writing from Life: Memoirs and the Seeds of Autobiographical Fiction" was moderated by Tracy Winn and featured authors Jane Brox, Margot Livesey, and Roland Merullo. Writing workshops were led by authors Julie Berry and Terry Marotta.

 

The Festival continued annually through 2019, took a hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, and resumed in 2025 with the 9th Maynard Book Festival being held April 2-5. Featured authors that year were Natalie Dykstra, Hester Fox, Marjan Kamali, Keith O'Brien, Bob Shea, and poets Oliver de la Paz and Fred Gerhard. Other activities included a memoir-writing workshop led by author Melanie Brooks, a "Picture a Story" art exhibit reception and panel discussion, a poetry open mic, and a children's craft activity.

 

In April of 2026, the 10th Maynard Book Festival will take place, once again offering a variety of events and activities. Please join us for this celebration of stories, writing, and community!