2025 First Edition Literary Gala Highlights: Mitch Albom, Ada Limón, Darren Walker & Support for the Texas Book Festival Programs

The 2025 First Edition Literary Gala brought together an extraordinary community of readers, writers, and arts supporters on Friday, November 7, for an elegant evening at the Fairmont Austin. The annual black-tie event, widely regarded as one of the region’s premier literary celebrations, serves as the Texas Book Festival’s largest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds from the Gala help provide books and author visits to students in Title I schools, fund library grants, and ensure that the Festival remains free and open to the public.

Guests began the evening at a lively cocktail reception, where attendees, donors and members of the Texas literary community mingled with award-winning authors and longtime Festival partners. The reception, celebrating the Festival’s 30th anniversary, set the tone for a night centered on creativity and the shared joy of reading.

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Portia and Robert Kirk Jr., Robert and Rose Kirk, Teresa Ward-Maupin

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Marianne DeLeón, Ada Limón, Chris-Barton

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Dalia Azim, Ravi and Archana Vemulapalli, Komal and Utpal Patel

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Andra Liemandt, Amanda-Johnston, Heidi Post, Tolly Mosely, Christa Aldrich

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Sam Bryant, Gigi Edwards-Bryant, Alex Brown

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Sarah Wilson, Martha Pincoffs, Carrie-Rodriguez

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Anna Near, Steve Saunders, Lois Kim, Betsy Abell

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Texas Book Festival Gala

Following the reception, guests gathered for a seated dinner and program, guided by Traci Thomas, host of The Stacks podcast, and featured an impressive lineup of literary voices. Eight-time #1 New York Times bestselling author Mitch Albom delivered heartfelt reflections on narrative, memory and the enduring impact of meaningful stories. Ada Limón, the twenty-fourth U.S. Poet Laureate, captivated the audience, offering insight into the role of poetry in connecting communities. Darren Walker, former President of the Ford Foundation, added a powerful perspective on equity, imagination, and the influence of literature in shaping a more inclusive society.

From the conversations sparked during the reception to the compelling speeches that anchored the program, the 2025 First Edition Literary Gala reinforced the essential role of books in inspiring curiosity, fostering empathy and strengthening communities. The event drew widespread support from literature enthusiasts across Texas, highlighting the continued enthusiasm for the Festival’s mission and programming.

Learn more about all of the Texas Book Festival programs at texasbookfestival.org.

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