Our Story
“It’s Where You Want to Read.” Now in its 22nd year, the Collingswood Book Festival has been called the most quiet fun experience thousands of people can have! Every year the avenue comes alive with readers connecting with over 60 presenting authors and an additional 275 authors and exhibitors, plus music, food, and literary games and activities. Our award-winning festival is the longest-running, largest literary event in the Delaware Valley. Attendance in 2019 surpassed 7,000 and keeps growing.
This year’s book festival will be held on October 5, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Collingswood is located in southern New Jersey, and is just minutes from Philadelphia. Over the years, Collingswood has become a premier tourist destination. Thousands of people from the tri-state region and beyond are drawn to the annual events like the Collingswood Book Festival, May Fair, Green Festival, Holiday Parade, and Fine Arts and Crafts Festival.
Collingswood’s been named: Best Small-Town Food Scene in the nation by USA Today, a Top 10 Transformed Community by Forbes, the Best Place to Go Car Free by Men’s Journal, a Classic Town of Greater Philadelphia by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, and a Great Place in America (Haddon Avenue) by the American Planning Association. Finally, Collingswood is home to the Collingswood Farmers’ Market, voted best in America by the American Farmland Trust.
What Our Authors Say
What an amazing event! One of my favorite moments was when a fourth grade girl asked if I was Nan Marino. When I said yes, she threw her arms around me and said, "I loved your book!" I will never forget that moment.
I'm sure that other authors there have stories similar to that one. With the amount of authors and the amount of readers who attended your festival, there had to be thousands of conversations going on at the same time — all of them about reading, writing and the power of story. What a great day to connect, converse, and learn from each other.
— Nan Marino, children’s author of Neil Armstrong Is My Uncle & Other Lies Muscle Man McGinty Told Me, and Hiding Out at the Pancake Palace
I have to acknowledge that the organizers are truly egalitarian. Invited authors are both traditionally and Indie published, authors with brand new books out, and ones that are several years old, authors of fiction, non-fiction, adult, children, best seller, mid-list, and everything in between. They don't judge the book or the author, they open their arms equally to everyone. I don't know another large book festival that can make that claim. That's being SUPER pro-author. And I thank them!
— Charlotte Bennardo, author of YA, NA, and MG novels, and the series Evolution Revolution and Sirenz
It was a great event. My sister and brother-in-law, who live in Gloucester, MA, were very impressed with the affair and with the town. I think the book festival is one of the things that has helped give Collingwood its identity. I hope to be there again.
— George Anastasia, author of Gotti's Rules
I appreciate the tremendous effort that goes into the Collingwood Book Festival. It’s a truly remarkable event and has become a pet of mine.
— Leslie Connor, children’s author of Waiting for Normal and The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle
It was totally fun and a great event. I'm glad we were able to be a part of it.
— Greg Landry, author of The ABC's of Philadelphia
Thank you, Michele. You're all very kind to me in Collingswood and I appreciate it.
With very best wishes.
— Wesley Stace, author of Wonderkid