Jackson, Mississippi – On Saturday, September 26, at the Mississippi State Capitol, everyone from readers to writers, from families to book lovers, gathered for the 2026 Mississippi Book Festival to enjoy a great variety of literary voices and audiences all at once in downtown Jackson.
During the yearly festival, several author conversations, panel discussions, book signings, and chances to meet writers were held at the Mississippi State Capitol, located at 400 High St, Jackson, MS 39201, and its surroundings. The festival of 2026 was scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and it was free for visitors.
Presence News reporter William Barber attended the Mississippi Book Festival to cover the event and speak with attendees about their experiences.
For Pam Gunkel, a retired English teacher from Gulfport, attending the festival was about spending time around books and people who share her enthusiasm for reading.
“I’m a retired English teacher, so I love to read, love to learn about what is coming out, new books that are out, whether it’s fiction or nonfiction,” Gunkel told Presence News.
She said the opportunity to interact with other readers was another reason she enjoys attending the festival.
“I just love all the being around other people that love to talk about books,” she said. “It’s just an enlightening time to come here and learn.”
Readers Find Authors and Conversations
The festival’s official program featured a wide range of authors and panel discussions covering fiction, nonfiction, history, children’s literature, poetry, and other subjects.
Photo Credit: William Barber/Presence News
For Gunkel, several appearances stood out during this year’s festival.
She said she was particularly excited to see Eddie Glaude and attend the “Soul of America” panel.
“I was very excited to see Eddie Glaude and the panel Soul of America, which was fantastic,” Gunkel said.
She also highlighted an encounter with Mychal Threets, the librarian and educator known for promoting reading and his work with young audiences.
Photo Credit: William Barber/Presence News
“I was very excited just now to get an autograph on a book from Mychal Threets,” Gunkel said.
As a former English teacher, she said meeting Threets, the host of the revived Reading Rainbow, was especially meaningful.
“As a teacher in English and young people, I’ve shown that show so many times and have that song in my head,” she said. “I was very excited to meet him and get a couple of autographed books from him.”
Kate McKinnon Draws Attention
Among the recognizable names appearing at this year’s festival was actress, comedian and author Kate McKinnon.
McKinnon was featured in the festival’s KidNote with Kate McKinnon, moderated by David Lewis. The official festival program listed the appearance as part of the children’s programming surrounding McKinnon’s work as an author.
The festival’s panelist information identifies McKinnon as an author and performer, while the event’s programming highlighted her children’s literature.
McKinnon’s appearance added a high-profile name to a festival centered on authors, books, and conversations with readers.
A Festival Centered on Readers
Even though individual author appearances drew attention, talks with participants revealed that the festival had a wide appeal beyond any one specific speaker.
Gunkel said the event’s organization and atmosphere made it accessible for people interested in attending.
“The way it’s organized is so easy to get around and to find things,” she said. “People are so helpful.”
She also described the social aspect of the festival, saying attendees can meet people with similar interests.
“You meet some incredible people,” Gunkel said. “I just met a lady of mine who’s also a teacher, and we had a great conversation about school.”
For Gunkel, those interactions are part of what makes the festival worthwhile.
Encouraging Others to Attend
Asked what she would tell someone considering attending the Mississippi Book Festival in the future, Gunkel offered a simple response.
“Do it,” she said.
She also pointed to the September timing and the festival’s outdoor setting as advantages.
“The weather is lovely,” Gunkel said. “It’s September. It’s not as hot as it used to be in August.”
Her comments reflect one of the festival’s broader purposes: creating an opportunity for readers, authors, educators and members of the community to come together around books.
Presence News at the Mississippi Book Festival
Presence News was on the ground in Jackson for the 2026 Mississippi Book Festival.
William Barber of Presence News attended the event to report on the festival, speak with attendees, and document the atmosphere surrounding one of Mississippi’s major literary gatherings.
The festival provided opportunities to hear from authors, meet other readers, and explore books across a variety of genres and subjects.
For attendees such as Gunkel, however, the experience was not limited to the published schedule. It was also about discovering new books, meeting writers, reconnecting with fellow educators and readers, and being part of a community built around literature.
Her recommendation for future visitors remained straightforward: “Do it.”
The 2026 Mississippi Book Festival united authors, readers, and literary circles at the Mississippi State Capitol for a single day dedicated to books, discussions, and learning.
Sources:
Mississippi Book Festival – Official Panelists
Mississippi Book Festival – Official Schedule
Editor’s Disclaimer: This article contains original reporting by William Barber of Presence News, who attended the 2026 Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson, Mississippi, on September 26, 2026. The article includes firsthand observations and an interview with festival attendee Pam Gunkel. Event and participant information was also reviewed against the official Mississippi Book Festival website. Quotes have been edited only as necessary for clarity and readability without changing their intended meaning.
