The Napa Valley Writers branch of the California Writers Club presents its second annual Napa Valley Book Festival on Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 10 AM to 4 PM.  The free event brings together authors, bookstores, libraries, and writing and publishing associations with programming for readers of all ages and interests.

70+ Author Tables, Independent Bookstores, Food, Wine and Other Beverages

Food truck offerings, coffee, and other beverages will be available for purchase throughout the day for attendees to enjoy at picnic tables located in Blue Oak Middle School’s outdoor courtyard. Wine is available for purchase from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Only water in a closed container is allowed in the gym.

Agenda

10:15 AM - 11:00 AM  — Children's Story Time featuring local authors
Authors Maria Castellucci, Claudette Shatto, and John Petraglia will read for 15 minutes each.

11:15 AM - 12:30 PM — Tom Stienstra, San Francisco Chronicle Outdoors Writer Emeritus
Tom Stienstra, San Francisco Chronicle outdoors writer emeritus and America's most traveled outdoorsman will discuss his latest book Heaven Delayed: One Man’s Survival of Sixteen Near-Death Encounters. Stienstra will present a show built around selected photos, stories of survival, and answer the inevitable question, "Is there a heaven?"

01:00 PM - 02:15 PM — Rex Pickett, Author of Sideways
During his presentation “The Fiction Writing Process: From the Blank Page to Publication,” Pickett will share insights on finding an original voice, navigating rejection, and persevering through the publishing process. He draws from his own experiences as the author of Sideways, adapted into the Academy Award-winning film of the same name, three Sideways sequels, and his thriller The Archivist.

03:00 PM - 04:00 PM - Open Mic
All ages are encouraged to share their prose, poetry, or musical talents. Participants will have five minutes to perform in a classroom setting.