Giddings Public Library and Cultural Center

26 authors selected for upcoming festival

After another year of record-breaking submissions, we selected 26 featured authors for the upcoming book festival. Visit the featured author page to learn more about this year's talented writers.

This is the official webpage of the 

Texas Word Wrangler Book Festival 

Sept. 29-30, 2023

Join us Sept. 29-30, 2023, for our biggest event of the year, the Texas Word Wrangler Book Festival. Our annual festival focuses on authors from Texas, giving them the opportunity to connect directly with readers. Our "word wranglers" are talented authors from all over the state who come to our small town to share their passion for literature. Authors are selected by the Word Wrangler Committee to headline the festival. 

Since 2006, we've celebrated Texas authors for their hard work and dedication. In addition to honoring Texas writers, the book festival gives our community an opportunity to meet word wranglers and learn about the writing craft.

During the festival, authors are available at their tables to sell their books, sign autographs, and take pictures. Authors also are scheduled to read excerpts of their books and answer audience questions. 

We accept a wide range of book genres including: murder-mystery, fantasy, science fiction, cookbooks, self-help books, youth fiction, and picture books. Many of our authors are independently published, and they enjoy meeting readers directly. They've also told us they greatly benefit from the camaraderie found among other authors at the annual festival. 

Local schools bring students to meet the authors and learn about the writing process. Many festival authors also visit local schools to give student presentations and to inspire the next generation to love reading and writing. 

2023 Festival

Friday, Sept. 29: Festival 9A-5P

Saturday, Sept. 30: Festival 9A-2P 

The festival is open to the public from 9A-5P Friday, and from 9A-2P Saturday. There is no charge for parking or admission to the festival. Meet all of the authors as you walk around the festival and stop at the different authors' tables. Sections of the library will be reserved for author readings. Plan to purchase books for friends and family to support these local authors.

In-library reading schedule

Authors are scheduled for 20-minute readings throughout the festival. During their scheduled reading time, authors may read an excerpt from their book and take audience questions. Author readings offer festival attendees an opportunity to get to know authors on a deeper level.

2023 Festival

We're so grateful to our 2023 sponsors!


PLATINUM PONY SPONSORS



Giddings Noon Lions Club

Hildebrandt Meat Market 

The Placke Family 

GOLD STAR SPONSORS

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Click here to find out how.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

The 2022 festival featured 23 Texas authors who completed readings, showcased their books, and interacted with members of the community during the two-day festival. 


Prior to the festival, authors gave 33 presentations to 2,593 students in local schools.