It is with a heavy heart we announce that due to health concerns over the Covid19 pandemic, we are cancelling the July 18th, 2020, Payson Book Festival. Please join us on July 17th, 2021 for the next event. Don’t forget to go to the Meet the Authors tab to see all of the authors who signed up for the 2020 festival. Their links are at the end of their biography so you don’t have to miss a single release of their newest books!

Carol Osman Brown: A tribute to Carol for all her work on the book festival and her commitment to literacy projects and children’s programs

Carol and her husband Bing helped found the Payson Book Festival and worked tirelessly to promote literacy projects and children’s programs. Carol passed away March 6; Bing predeceased her in 2019. Carol’s sons have requested that Payson Book Festival Children’s Literacy activities and projects be the recipient of any donations honoring her. If you’d like to make a donation, there are two ways:

1. Go to the bottom of this page and click on the Donate button. At Paypal, you can include Carol Brown’s name in a message so your donationt is directed towards literacy and children’s programs.
2.  Mail a check to Payson Book Festival, PO Box 1495, Payson AZ 85547, indicating that is in honor of Carol Brown.

Author Registrations Are Closed.

Photos from the 2019 Payson Book Festival: Photos by William Houdek Photographer

July 20, 2019 Payson Book Festival Day!

Payson Book Festival, Inc. received a proclamation from the Payson Town Council, signed by the mayor, making July 20,2019 Payson Book Festival Day.

Click on the link for a larger pdf version. Proclamation Town Council 2019

6th Annual Payson Book Festival

The sixth annual Payson Book Festival showcased about 90 Arizona authors who signed and sold fiction and non-fiction books of many genres and promoted literacy at a celebration of books for readers of all ages. Activities included: Kid Zone sessions for youngsters, author presentations, cowboy poetry and songs, and entertainment. Take a look at the 2019 Book Festival – Fact Sheet for more information.

2021 Pre-workshop for kids

Details to be determined. See more photos at our Publicity page.

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5th Annual Payson Book Festival a big success!

Last year’s family-friendly book festival was another success as a free literacy program for readers of all ages. More than 600 people came from throughout the state to meet and speak to 80+ Arizona authors and enjoy a variety of activities at the event, which took place at Mazatzal Hotel and Casino, Payson AZ.

Kids enjoyed a Dr. Seuss storytime session with the Cat and the Hat plus other storytime events with librarian Elaine Votruba of the Gila County Library District. Meeting Story Monster was fun for everyone. “Buckshot Dot” shared her original western poetry and songs. Other presenters such as Bob Boze Bell, Marshall Trimble, and others gave presentations and shared background information on their books.

Many visitors came primarily to meet authors who signed their books. William Lee said, “It was wonderful being able to speak to several authors about their ideas. This event gives access to authors in a way most people don’t usually have available.”

THANK YOU to our sponsors and volunteers for their help in making this celebration of books and reading possible!