When you hear that there is a book festival in a town as tiny as Lewes, Delaware — home to just 3,000 people — you wouldn’t be blamed for underestimating it. However, the History Book Festival attracted more than 4,000 attendees in 2023. And with just over 20 books featured at the event, all of our authors draw impressive, enthusiastic audiences for their presentations and signings.

 

Lewes, Delaware

The Festival is hosted at the pristine Delaware Beaches, which draw millions of visitors annually and attract well-educated, engaged residents. Lewes — dubbed “the first town in the first state” — is a town with unexpectedly rich history and architecture. The History Book Festival drew its 2023 audience from 14 states and the UK.

Save the dates

Three days of history: The Festival is always scheduled for the last weekend in September each year. This year, the Festival will take place September 27, 28, & 29, 2024. We kick off with a ticketed keynote on the 27th, followed by a full-day of free programming on the 28th, and a ticketed closing address on the 29th. Many of our authors do school events on Friday and Monday, for which the festival donates books.

Book sales and signings

In 2023, book sales topped 2,300, with a 95% sell-thru rate. All books are available for purchase at the Festival, at Browseabout Books in Rehoboth, and at biblion in Lewes. The ticketed keynote and closing addresses also include a signed book with the price of admission. In addition, the History Book Festival buys all Festival books for the Delaware Public Library System and donates books for school events, adding to book sales overall, and only festival authors’ books are available at the event.

Authors and attendees

Authors love the warm welcome, interest, and engagement from both organizers and attendees; on-site book promotion and sales (limited to festival authors only); opportunities for collegial fellowship with other authors; and the ease of event logistics—before, during, and after. Attendees love the quality of authors we attract; the accessibility provided, and interactions offered with the authors who present; the diversity of our selections; and the ease of event logistics.

21 presentations

In 2023, the Festival had 21 author presentations covering a broad range of historical fiction and narrative nonfiction by both well-known and emerging authors. All Saturday events are free-of-charge with book signings following each author presentation. The ticketed keynote and closing addresses always sell-out in advance.

More than 4,000 attendees

In addition to our sold-out keynote and closing addresses, the authors in our 19 free events on Saturday almost all drew audiences between 100-250 attendees. The small, walkable town creates an intimate space where authors and readers can slow down and engage personally. The History Book Festival is lauded by authors and audiences alike for the sense of community and collegiality it fosters.

Robust promotion

Our marketing strategy includes print and digital outreach: from bookmarks slipped into books at local sellers to ads in area publications to active social media channels and partnerships with regional public radio stations.

Easily accessible

Lewes is a comfortably short drive from D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York. It’s also within 90-minutes of the Wilmington AMTRAK station as well as the PHI airport.

 

Authors are our special guests


The History Book Festival is dedicated to offering a broad range of historical stories and storytellers, with authors and books selected with care. Our goal is for all attendees to find their own place in history here and, of course, authors are key to this experience. All participating Festival authors are provided the following: 

  • Complimentary lodging at a boutique hotel in the walkable historic district.

  • Assistance with transportation, including pick-up from Philadelphia Airport or Wilmington Amtrak Station or travel stipend.

  • Authors-only welcome reception with light dinner on Friday after keynote.

  • Author green room with snacks throughout event and lunch provided on Saturday. 

  • Closing “Spirited Discussion” cocktail party for attendees and authors, providing another chance for authors to interact with the public on Saturday. 

  • Private author party hosted Saturday evening, hailed as not-to-be-missed by authors. 

  • Each author is provided a personal guide to shepherd them through the event. 

  • Opportunities for school events (Friday and Monday options) and other events with HBF partners throughout the year, extending authors’ reach. 

  • Festival book titles are promoted and sold at local bookshops throughout the busy spring, summer, and fall resort seasons. 

  • Participation in this non-profit festival puts funds and books into the Delaware Public Library System, community organizations, and schools.

About the Festival


The History Book Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community-based organization, formed under the Greater Lewes Foundation, and run by a board of volunteers. As the first book festival in the nation devoted to the topic of history, we believe in the power of history, literature, and civil dialog to change the future for the better.