Nashville will become a city of stories, storytellers, and book lovers when the 38th Southern Festival of Books returns October 17 and 18.

The free, two-day celebration brings readers of all ages together with acclaimed writers, independent publishers, booksellers, and organizations that support literacy and the written word.

Events will take place around Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, the Tennessee State Museum, and the Tennessee State Library and Archives.

Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday activities run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Presented by Vanderbilt University and organized by Humanities Tennessee, the festival is one of the country's longstanding literary gatherings.

For visitors, the attraction is more than a chance to buy a book.

Author conversations offer an opportunity to hear how ideas become novels, memoirs, histories, and children's stories.

Readings and panel discussions bring familiar names and emerging voices onto the same stages, while book signings make the encounter more personal.

This year's announced lineup includes Ann Patchett, Jayne Anne Phillips, Ayad Akhtar, Claudia Rankine, and Kathryn Stockett.

The festival also highlights writers whose work explores Nashville and the South, including historian Benjamin Houston.

Across the schedule, readers can discover everything from fiction and poetry to science, local history, young adult literature, and nonfiction.

A visit does not require knowing every author in advance.

Choose one conversation that interests you, leave time to browse the book tents, and consider attending a session in an unfamiliar genre.

Families have plenty to explore together.

Expanded youth programming includes the Big Fiery Gizzard and Little Pigeon's Creativity Land, with bookmaking, art activities, puppetry, readings, and hands-on experiences.

The Tennessee STEAM Festival is also taking part in a program that links curiosity, science, and storytelling.

That variety makes the weekend a useful outing for families hoping to encourage reading without turning the experience into another school assignment.

Young readers can meet authors and illustrators, enjoy imaginative activities, and find books that match their interests.

For adults who write, or have always wanted to, the weekend can provide valuable inspiration.

On Friday, October 16, before the public festival begins, The Porch is offering separate writing workshops at the Tennessee State Museum.

Those workshops have limited spaces and registration requirements and should not be confused with the free festival itself.

Throughout the main weekend, Parnassus Books will serve as the festival bookseller, while publishers and literary groups introduce visitors to additional titles and projects.

Food trucks and performance areas help make the grounds welcoming for people who want to stay for several hours.

Planning ahead can make the visit easier, particularly if you have a favorite author with a scheduled appearance.

Check the latest session times, allow for lines at popular book signings, and leave time to move between the park, museum, and library buildings.

The festival provides a complimentary supervised bicycle valet and lists public-transit and parking options for those arriving downtown.

Accessible parking and mobility assistance are also addressed in the event's visitor information.

Although festival admission is free, books, food, and certain separately organized activities can cost extra.

The heart of the weekend is the opportunity to connect people through stories.

In a city famous for songs, the Southern Festival of Books is a reminder that Nashville's creative life also flourishes on the printed page.