McAllen, McAllen Public Library, South Texas International Book Festival, Local Author Showcase
Staff Report
McAllen TX - The McAllen Public Library will host the South Texas International Book Festival Presents: Local Author Showcase on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Main Library, 4001 N. 23rd St.
The event, presented by H-E-B Helping Here, is inspired by the 2026 festival theme, “Pages to Possibilities,” and highlights the region’s literary talent, according to the library. This year’s featured authors are Anna Ayala, David Mendoza III, Doug Young, Edward Garza, Erika Balderas-Perez, G.B. Cast, Jeannette Zallar, Jonathan Solis, Ric Quintanilla, Koby J. Almazan, Liz Rodriguez, Lizzy Goldmoon and Victor Benavides.
The program will feature conversations exploring what it takes to bring a story from an idea to publication, with opportunities for guests to hear from the authors, ask questions, and purchase their books.
Library Director Kate Horan said the event opens the festival season. “This is a great way to open our STIBF Presents lineup and set the stage for everything still to come this festival season and we are thrilled,” Horan said.
Mayor Javier Villalobos said the event highlights local talent. “Our region is filled with stories worth sharing,” Villalobos said. “There is something special about seeing the talent in our own backyard take their stories and share them with the world. This showcase celebrates these writers and their unique perspectives.”
City Manager Isaac J. Tawil said the event reflects the library’s commitment to accessible programming. “The McAllen Public Library works incredibly hard to bring the kind of programming you would expect to find in a major city, and then it does something even more important: it makes that experience accessible to everyone,” Tawil said. “What makes this festival especially remarkable is the commitment of the community partners who help make it possible.”
The Local Author Showcase is part of the STIBF Presents lineup leading up to the 2026 South Texas International Book Festival, set for Saturday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Main Library.
Both events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact the library at 956-681-3060 or visit southtexasbookfestival.com.
Source - City of McAllen; McAllen Public Library