Major US Literary Festivals October 2025 Showcase Regional Authors, Community Events

Several literary and film festivals are scheduled for October 2025, celebrating writing, storytelling, and independent cinema across different regions. The 17th annual Iowa City Book Festival (Oct. 5-12) features over 40 events including poetry launches, science fiction presentations, environmental discussions, and a focus on artificial intelligence's impact on writing, with multiple local partnerships supporting the festival. The ReadingFilmFEST in Reading (Oct. 9-12) will showcase more than 65 independent films from U.S. and international filmmakers, including a StudentFEST for emerging creatives and community-focused events like a Spanish-language screening of Disney-Pixar's "Coco." Indiana Humanities hosts the second edition of Proof: A Midwest Lit Fest (Oct. 10-11), offering author readings, a book fair, writing workshops for families, and opportunities to connect with local literary communities. Meanwhile, the 16th Annual "Write on, Oceanside!" Literary Festival (Oct. 11) in California focuses on local authors with readings, book signings, and free workshops on publishing and zine-making. These events collectively highlight a vibrant cultural season emphasizing literary arts, community engagement, and creative education.