The programming boasts a diverse array of talent, including best-selling authors, local and award-winning writers, as well as authors whose first books were published in 2019. Highlights of this year’s participants include Angie Kim, Louis Bayard, Karen E. Bender, Jeanne McCulloch, E. Ethelbert Miller, and John Lingan.

The festival will take place at the Bright Box Theater, located on the historic walking mall in the heart of Winchester, VA, with other events at Winchester Brew Works, the Winchester Book Gallery, and Shenandoah University.

All festival programs are open to the public and free to attend, however advanced registration is required in order for attendees to receive a complimentary boxed lunch on both Friday and Saturday. The festival will feature more than 50 speakers, ranging from best-selling authors, journalists, and professors, as well as local artisans and leaders from the political, business, and academic fields, with interactive panels including genres ranging from literary fiction, poetry, suspense fiction, journalism, international fiction, and children’s literature. 1455 will also be holding a Teen Poetry Contest, sponsored by Friends of Handley Regional Library. A $500 grand prize will be awarded to the winning poet, who will have the opportunity to read their work in a ceremony at the Winchester Book Gallery.

This event is sponsored in part with support from Shenandoah University, George Mason University, Hollins University, Marymount University, Winchester Book Gallery, Winchester Brew Works, Handley Regional Library, Day Eight, the George Washington Grand Hotel, and others. Additional sponsorships are available and all inquiries should be sent directly to Sean Murphy.