NEW ORLEANS, LA — The BLK INK Book Festival is back for its fourth year, and this year’s celebration is turning the page on what it means to build community through books, storytelling, film, and culture.
On Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 11 AM – 3 PM, readers, writers, filmmakers, and creatives from across the country will gather at the Pavilion of the Two Sisters inside the New Orleans City Park Botanical Gardens for the Fourth Annual BLK INK Book Festival – New Orleans and BLK INK Short Film Premiere—a high-energy literary and cultural experience designed to spotlight diverse voices, connect authors with readers, and help emerging creatives build loyal fan-bases.
To register as a guest or exhibitor, visit Eventbrite: https://BLKINKBookFestival2026.eventbrite.com
Hosted in the heart of New Orleans, the BLK INK Book Festival has become an anticipated literary celebration – welcoming 75+ diverse authors across every genre, local artists, bookstores, writing service providers, and book lovers for an unforgettable day of books, conversation, music, and culture.
This year’s featured authors include bestselling romance powerhouse Farrah Rochon, actor and author Deric Augustine, rising literary voice Skye Jackson, acclaimed storyteller Addie E. Citchens, and children’s author Naomi DeBerry. Festival organizers are also proud to spotlight New Orleans literary institution Community Book Center as this year’s Featured Bookstore.
More than a book festival, BLK INK is a launchpad for authors and artists ready to grow their audience, sell their work, and connect directly with readers. With exhibit booths available for authors, bookstores, artists, and writing service providers, the festival continues its mission of creating an inclusive, vibrant space where creatives can meet book lovers, build visibility, and expand their fan-base.
This year’s festival experience includes the Speaker’s Lounge, hosted by Emmy Award-winning storyteller Monica Pierre, where guests can hear live conversations with authors, creatives, and literary tastemakers. Attendees can also enjoy Reading in the Garden, live storytelling, a live DJ, hundreds of books, VIP author exhibits, and immersive literary experiences throughout the day.
BLK INK is also expanding its reach through an exciting marketing partnership with Flava 1 Radio, bringing readers even closer to the authors and stories they love. Festival fans can also tune into The Who’s Your Five? Book Influencer On-Air Series, a dynamic literary spotlight highlighting the top books book lovers are reading right now and the voices shaping today’s reading culture.
And for early arrivals, there’s even more to celebrate: the first 100 guests will receive a free custom Direct2Author.com tote bag and commemorative Juneteenth pin.
The festival is free and open to the public, with pre-registration encouraged. Guests who pre-register through Eventbrite will also be automatically entered into the BLK INK custom gift box giveaway.
In addition to the book festival, the BLK INK Short Film Premiere returns with a curated showcase of short films by emerging Black filmmakers from across the country, with special focus on Louisiana and Gulf Coast storytellers. Five films will screen followed by a panel discussion led by award-winning filmmaker Gian Smith, founder of The Black Film Festival of New Orleans.
Guests can also kick off the weekend on Friday, June 19, from 6–9 PM at Martinis & Manuscripts Happy Hour, an intimate pre-festival gathering at The Tell Me Bar featuring book talk, cocktails, food, music, and opportunities to connect with participating authors and local book lovers.
Whether you’re a lifelong reader, aspiring writer, emerging filmmaker, or creative entrepreneur, the BLK INK Book Festival is where stories meet community—and where audiences discover the next voices to watch.
EVENT DETAILS
Fourth Annual BLK INK Book Festival – New Orleans & BLK INK Short Film Premiere
Saturday, June 20, 2026
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Pavilion of the Two Sisters
New Orleans City Park Botanical Gardens
New Orleans, Louisiana
Admission: Free with pre-registration via Eventbrite
Short Film Premiere: $20 Full Access Pass
Martinis & Manuscripts Happy Hour: Friday, June 19 | 6–9 PM | $40
Exhibit booths are now available for authors, bookstores, artists, and writing service providers looking to meet readers, sell books, and grow their audience.
For sponsorship opportunities, email events@prsolutionsllc.org.
For festival updates, follow @black_writers_workspace on Instagram and BLK ink book festival on Facebook.
#BLKINKNOLA2026
BLK INK is sponsored by PR Solutions, LLC and LifeSkills Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to youth and youth entrepreneurs.
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