The Saratoga Book Festival (SBF) is an annual community-wide celebration of books in downtown Saratoga Springs, New York. Our mission is to encourage a lifelong love of reading and promote greater literacy for all.
For one glorious weekend each year, SBF brings writers, book lovers, and reluctant readers together for thoughtful conversations, fascinating interviews, book talks, readings, workshops, youth program, and more. Held in venues throughout downtown Saratoga Springs, SBF features contemporary and literary fiction; popular genres such as fantasy/sci-fi, suspense, historical fiction, and crime fiction; nonfiction (including current events, history, science, and cooking/lifestyle); memoir; and children’s and young adult literature.
Want to help? SBF is grateful to the many volunteers who work at our event. To find out more about volunteer opportunities, please write us at [link to volunteer sign up form.
More than 60% of funding for the Saratoga Book Festival comes from individual donors like you. With your support, we can continue to offer most of our programs at no charge to attendees.
SBF is the largest fundraising event for the Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports programs, staff, and facilities of the Saratoga Springs Public Library. Thank you for your support!
Mission Statement
The mission of the Saratoga Book Festival is to celebrate reading and writing, and the power of books to inform, challenge, inspire, and delight.
Planning Committee
Ellen Beal, President
Christian Purdy, Program Chair
Steve Rosenblum, Operations Chair
Mary Beth McGarrahan, Volunteer Director
Dee Sarno, Community Relations Director
Molly Halpin, Social Media Manager
AnneMarie Hotaling, Literary Marketplace Manager
Jennifer Allen, FSSPL Executive Director
Vicky Grijalva, Social Media Intern
Zac Parker, Marketing and PR Intern
Bookstore Partner
Press Room
Saratoga Book Festival in the News
- Saratoga Living - First Annual Saratoga Book Festival Coming to the Spa City October 15-17 (October 7, 2021)
- Saratoga Today - First-Ever Saratoga Book Festival to Take Place Oct. 15-17 (October 7, 2021)
- The Saratogian - Inaugural Saratoga Book Festival set for downtown (October 5, 2021)
- Times Union - Russell Banks to be keynote at Saratoga Book Fair (July 1, 2021)
- Saratoga Today - Saratoga Book Festival Dates Announced; Submissions Open Through July 15 (July 1, 2021)
- Saratoga Today - Author of “The Women’s Suffrage Movement” featured in Virtual Event April 29 (April 22, 2021)
- Saratoga Today - Saratoga Book Festival Online: Mark Harris in Conversation with Audrey Kupferberg April 22 (April 15, 2021)