2nd Annual Utah Readers Fest Returns to Celebrate Utah’s Literary Community

Oct. 15, 2026 — West Jordan, Utah — The Utah Readers Fest will return for its second year on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, bringing readers and writers together for a full day of community engagement and celebration at the Viridian Event Center in West Jordan.

Daniel Yocom, president of the Utah Readers Fest and Infinite Monkeys chapter of the League of Utah Writers, said, “The Utah Readers Fest is quickly becoming one of Utah’s most welcoming literary gatherings. It brings readers and writers together in a way that strengthens our creative community, celebrates local voices, and reminds us how powerful stories can be when they’re shared.”

The event will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Viridian Event Center, located at 8030 S. 1825 W., West Jordan, Uta., in the same building as the West Jordan branch of the Salt Lake County Library.

This year’s festival will feature book signings, vendor booths, and the official launch of a special anthology showcasing original short fiction connected to Utah. New this year will be a raffle for free books, where every attendee with receive a ticket, then receive an additional ticket for every book bought from one of the exhibiting authors. Raffle drawings will be held throughout the event, then all remaining books will be raffled off at the end of the event.

Yocom said, “This year, the Utah Readers Fest will include the launch of the special anthology, which includes stories from all genres, provided they demonstrate a clear and meaningful connection to Utah. This connection may be thematic, historical, cultural, symbolic, or narrative in nature.”

The Utah Readers Fest continues to grow as a signature event for readers and writers across the region, offering a welcoming space for community members to discover new authors, celebrate local talent, and engage with Utah’s vibrant literary arts scene.

Among the Utah authors exhibiting this year are

• Julia S. Allen, Romance
• Daniel Allen Armstrong, Devotional
• Scott Bryan, Young Adult/Middle Grade Historical Fantasy
• Steve Capone Jr., Horror
• Quiana Chase, Science Fiction
• Cote, Poetry en español
• Laurie Duerrsch, Children’s Fiction and Young Adult Fantasy
• Jenna Eatough, Fantasy
• John H. Hammond, Fantasy
• Samantha Hastings, Historical Fiction and Mystery
• Mary W. Jensen, Young Adult and Middle Grade Fantasy/Illustrator
• W.D. Kilpack III, Science Fiction and Fantasy
• Caryn Larrinaga, Horror
• Dana LeCheminant, Historical Romance
• C.H. Lindsay, Horror
• Jazmin Lister, Science Fiction and Fantasy
• Inna Lyon, Fantasy and Romance
• Anna Marasco, Multigenre Fiction
• John M. Olsen, Science Fiction
• Susan Phelan, Children’s and Middle Grade Fiction
• L.A. Rain, Fantasy-Romance
• Miranda Renae, Horror
• Sean Nathan Ricks, Science Fiction and Fantasy
• Rebecca Robertson, Young Adult
• David Rodeback, Fiction
• Logan Sidwell, Science Fiction
• Hilary Slaughter, Romance
• Shannon Symonds, Mystery, Women’s Fiction, and Young Adult Cozy Mystery
• Alice Wach, Children’s and Middle Grade Fiction
• Kelly Fae Wilson, Fantasy
• Johnny Worthen, Multigenre Fiction
• Daniel Yocom, Multigenre Fiction

Event Details
Event: 2nd Annual Utah Readers Fest
Date: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026
Time: 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Viridian Event Center
8030 S. 1825 W.
West Jordan, UT 84088

About the Utah Readers Fest
The Utah Readers Fest is an annual celebration dedicated to fostering a love of reading, supporting local authors, and strengthening Utah’s literary community. The festival features programming for all ages and welcomes readers of every genre. For updates, schedules, and additional event details, visit www.UtahReadersFest.org.