Black storytelling is finding a new home in the heart of Indiana. Kinfolk Lit Fest will make its debut at the Indianapolis Convention Center from July 16 to 18, 2027, bringing together more than 200 authors, publishing professionals, cultural voices and creatives for three days of books, conversation and community.
Eriq La Salle, the actor and director best known for playing Dr. Peter Benton on ER, has also built a second career as a crime thriller novelist and will appear at the event. He will be joined by some of the most celebrated names in Black literature: Tayari Jones, author of An American Marriage; Jason Reynolds, author of Long Way Down; Sadeqa Johnson, author of The House of Eve; Victoria Christopher Murray, co-author of The Personal Librarian; fantasy writer P. Djèlí Clark, author of Ring Shout; and young adult author Tiffany D. Jackson.
For founder and president Casey Kelley, the festival is about more than a lineup. “Kinfolk Lit Fest is a family reunion,” Kelley said, describing a community of book lovers who come together “to connect, vibe and network with like-minded individuals.”
Kelley added that the goal is to create a space where creatives, literary professionals and readers can “celebrate the art, brilliance and dignity of Black stories and the authors behind them.”
The festival is designed to feel more immersive than a traditional book event. Programming spans eight genres in Black literature, with more than 140 conversations across panels, live readings, fireside chats, workshops, book signings and keynote addresses. Attendees will also have access to complimentary sit-down dinners, giving readers a chance to share a table with the writers they love.
Kinfolk Lit Fest will also spotlight local and regional writers, independent booksellers, educators and community organizations, putting rising voices on the same stage as established names.
The festival grew out of Black Book Bash, a 2025 event that celebrated Black books, Black readers and the online communities connecting them. What started as a single gathering has since grown into a year-round literary community built around discovery and conversation, and Indianapolis is its next chapter.
All-access passes are on sale now for $250, and teen passes with limited access are available for attendees ages 13 to 17 for $175. Tickets, programming details and the full list of participating authors are available at kinfolklit.com.
