Aspen Words, the literary arm of the Aspen Institute, is partnering with Book of the Month to launch the Aspen Literary Festival (ALF).
The inaugural festival is scheduled to take place Sept. 26-28, 2025, in downtown Aspen, Colo., and will be “a multi-day celebration of readers, writers, and the power of stories,” according to a release. More than 40 authors, including local, regional, and those with a national stature, with an emphasis on fiction, are being invited to participate in ALF 2025. Programming will include conversations, book signings, and other activities inspired by books.
Per the release, the fiction subscription service Book of the Month will sponsor a number of novelists who will be featured at the festival. Book of the Month CEO John Lippman and editorial director Brianna Goodman are serving as co-chairs of the festival, and will help shape programming.
Besides the literary programming, ALF 2025 will feature food trucks, parties, a pop-up bookstore, and other programming for adults and families. The majority of the events will be free and open to the public.
“Our inspiration for launching the Aspen Literary Festival comes from a desire to create a vibrant space where books and community intersect. We believe in the power of stories to bring people together, spark dialogue and broaden perspectives,” said Adrienne Brodeur, executive director of Aspen Words, in a statement. “By hosting a festival that combines engaging conversations, interactive events and a lively group of authors, we aim to make literature accessible, relevant and fun for everyone—enriching both our local community and the literary world at large.”
“Collaborating with Aspen Words to launch the Aspen Literary Festival is a very cool opportunity for Book of the Month that aligns perfectly with our mission to bring the best new fiction forward,” added Lippman. “We’re excited to work with Adrienne [Brodeur] and her team to create a festival that is as fun and inspiring as its beautiful mountain setting.”
Aspen Words will announce the ALF 2025 author lineup, venues, and other program information in spring 2025.
