Fostering INTELLIGENT CONVERSATION at the intersection of faith and the WRITTEN WORD.
April 16-18, 2026
The Festival of Faith & Writing
Celebrating the Written Word.
Join us in 2026 for our biennial cornerstone event. The Festival brings together a vibrant community of readers to explore the power of belief and the written word through lectures, readings, and engaging conversations.
DAYS
54
SPEAKERS
75
SESSIONS
Stories Matter.
Our Past Festival Speakers
-
![Anthony Doerr]()
Anthony Doerr
Author
2024 -
![Yaa Gyasi]()
Yaa Gyasi
Author
2024 -
![Tracy K. Smith]()
Tracy K. Smith
Poet
2024 -
![Kaveh Akbar]()
Kaveh Akbar
Kaveh Akbar
2024 -
![Kevin Young]()
Kevin Young
Poet
2022 -
![Min Jin Lee]()
Min Jin Lee
Author & Journalist
2022 -
![Nikki Grimes]()
Nikki Grimes
Young Adult Author
2022 -
![Edwidge Danticat]()
Edwidge Danticat
Author
2018 -
![Bill McKibben]()
Bill McKibben
Author & Journalist
2018 -
![Kwame Alexander]()
Kwame Alexander
Author & Poet
2018 -
![Jen Hatmaker]()
Jen Hatmaker
Author
2018 -
![Zadie Smith]()
Zadie Smith
Author
2016 -
![Tobias Wolff]()
Tobias Wolff
Author
2016 -
![Christian Wiman]()
Christian Wiman
Poet
2016 -
![Ashley Bryan]()
Ashley Bryan
Children’s Author
2016 -
![Anne Lamott]()
Anne Lamott
Author
2014 -
![James McBride]()
James McBride
Author
2014 -
![Rachel Held Evans]()
Rachel Held Evans
Author & Journalist
2014 -
![Miroslav Volf]()
Miroslav Volf
Theologian
2016 -
![Jonathan Safran Foer]()
Jonathan Safran Foer
Author
2012 -
![Marilynne Robinson]()
Marilynne Robinson
Author
2012 -
![Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie]()
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Author
2012 -
![Gary D. Schmidt]()
Gary D. Schmidt
Young Adult Author
2012 -
![Wally Lamb]()
Wally Lamb
Author
2010 -
![Eugene Peterson]()
Eugene Peterson
Theologian & Poet
2010 -
![Kate DiCamillo]()
Kate DiCamillo
Children’s Author
2010 -
![Michael Chabon]()
Michael Chabon
Author
2008 -
![Yann Martel]()
Yann Martel
Author
2008 -
![Katherine Paterson]()
Katherine Paterson
Children’s Author
2008 -
![Salman Rushdie]()
Salman Rushdie
Author
2008 -
![Joyce Carol Oates]()
Joyce Carol Oates
Author & Poet
2004 -
![Maya Angelou]()
Maya Angelou
Author & Poet
2000 -
![Chaim Potok]()
Chaim Potok
Author & Playwright
2000 -
![David James Duncan]()
David James Duncan
Author
1998 -
![John Updike]()
John Updike
Author & Poet
1998 -
![Madeleine L’Engle]()
Madeleine L’Engle
Author
1996 -
![Annie Dillard]()
Annie Dillard
Author
1996
Books Bring Us Together.
Upcoming Center Events
Along with the Festival of Faith & Writing, we host other events throughout the year. Find inspiration, engage in meaningful dialogue, and connect with our vibrant community.
Our Initiatives
Creating Space For Inspiration.
We run a collection of initiatives designed to involve students, faculty, and community members in our effort to celebrate a Reformed engagement with the written word. Learn more about our programs that aim to champion faithful, intelligent conversation about the intersections of religious belief and literature.
For Readers of All Faiths Everywhere.
About the Calvin Center for Faith & Writing
Get Involved
Our Center welcomes your participation! Learn more about available opportunities to contribute to our ongoing work.