Let’s get lit-erary. The largest book festival in the Carolinas returns to Winston-Salem this Friday, Sept. 25 through Sunday, Sept. 27 as Bookmarks hosts its 21st annual Festival of Books and Authors.

With so much happening during the festival, we’ve put together a quick guide with need-to-know information, pro tips, and our recommendations to make this weekend one for the books.

About the Festival of Books and Authors

More than 20,000 readers will come from all over the country to see 45+ authors in panels, readings, and book signings.

Pro tip: Be sure to bookmark (pun intended) the festival’s mobile-friendly website.

Things kick off on Friday night with a sold-out keynote from #1 New York Times bestselling author John Green, whose new book “Hollywood, Ending” was published yesterday.

On Saturday, there’ll be nearly 20 free panels and readings as well as a signing tent, food truck court, exhibitor and vendor market, and kids’ area with dedicated events and activities.

Bestselling authors Jodi Picoult and Virginia Evans will close out the festival with a conversation at Wait Chapel. A $40 ticket gets you admission into the event, as well as a signed copy of Picoult’s newest novel, “Hollow Bones,” and a professional photo with the author. There are still a few spots left — get yours before they’re gone.

Saturday’s schedule

The festival will take over downtown from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All panels and events on this day are free, but be sure to bring money to buy books from participating authors, arts and crafts from local vendors, and nourishment from the food trucks.

Be sure to stop by the Bookmarks exhibitor tent, where you can pick up a Bookish Bingo card. Complete activities at other tents and return your stamped card to Bookmarks for the chance to win a gift card.

See the full event lineup and the book-signing schedule.

Pro tip: Leave about 15 to 20 minutes between sessions to walk between venues, use the restroom, or stop by the exhibitor + vendor tents.

Pro tip: Arrive early for popular author signings and events. Note that some signings require you to purchase the author’s featured book from Bookmarks.

Kids’ activities

At 10 a.m on Friday, Anika Noni Rose — the actress and singer known for voicing Princess Tiana in Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog” — will host a book reading and sing-along at Footnote Coffee + Cocktails.

This event is ticketed and offers two options, allowing admission for two ($30) or four ($50) guests. Both ticket options include a copy of “A Princess is a Princess,” entry into Rose’s book-signing line on Saturday, and a photograph with the author.

On Saturday, a dedicated kids’ area will host free events, book character visits, storytimes, trivia, trackless train rides, and a DJ.

Pro tip: Pick up a Kid’s Passport. Your child collects stamps by completing activities and can trade in a stamped passport for a free book.

Parking info

The parking lot behind Bookmarks will not be available for festival attendees. Other lots nearby may also be reserved for staff, volunteers, exhibitors, and accessible parking.

Free parking will be available at Truist Stadium and Salem College’s Elberson Fine Arts Center, with free shuttles running to the festival area.

Other downtown parking will be available, like the paid decks and metered street parking.

10 recommended panels

If you’re feeling like you might lose shelf control with all the great panels on Saturday, we’ve got you. Here are 10 panels — including time, venue, and participating authors — that are on our list to check out. Full event descriptions are available here.

Feed the Body, Nourish the Soul | 10-10:45 a.m. | Mountcastle Forum | Toya Boudy + Spring Council
This Week On…: Storytelling for Your Life | 10:15-11 a.m. | Reynolds Place Theater | Tiffany Crum + Tlotlo Tsamaase
Not Your Average Great American Novel | 11:30 a.m.-12: 15 p.m. | Calvary Moravian Church | Ayad Akhtar, John Manuel Arias + Vanessa Hua
Fortune Favors the Bold | 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | Reynolds Place Theatre | Nadia Hashimi, Rachel Hochhauser + Nina LaCour
Fall in Love Again & Again | 12:15-1 p.m. | Hanesbrands Theatre | Erin Connor, Mason Deaver, Gabriella Gamez + Julian Winter
What’s Wrong with Men? | 12:30-1:15 p.m. | Mountcastle Forum | Jordan Ritter Conn
The Ties That Bind | 1:45-2:30 p.m. | Calvary Moravian Church | Sarah Addison Allen + Krisy Woodson Harvey
Girl, So Confusing: Coming of Age Stories | 2:45-3:30 p.m. | Hanesbrands Theatre | DeAndra Davis + Sarah Dessen
“Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea: Journeys Through Ancient Literature” | 3-3:45 p.m. | Calvary Moravian Church | Emily Wilson |
It Could Be Worse: Adventures in Speculative Fiction | 3:15-4 p.m. | Reynolds Place Theatre | Erin Ampersan + Isabel J. Kim