COMING SEPTEMBER 27 - OCTOBER 4, 2026

Six Bridges Book Festival

A Six Bridges Book Festival Fundraising Event

An Evening with Ariel Lawhon

Spend an unforgettable evening with Ariel Lawhon, visiting Little Rock while on book tour for her forthcoming novel The Pirate Queen, which will be published on September 8, 2026. The Pirate Queen is a sweeping historical adventure inspired by the life of Grace O’Malley, the legendary Irish folk heroine who risked everything to defend her people. 

Whether you’re a devoted reader of historical fiction or simply curious about the stories hidden in history, this special event promises insight, inspiration, and a memorable literary experience.

This ticketed event will also raise funds so the Six Bridges Book Festival can continue providing free public programs in Central Arkansas.

Buy Tickets
Ariel Lawhon and cover of her book "The Pirate Queen"

2026 Announced Authors

  • Carrie Lee South and book "In the Woods They Wait"
    Carrie Lee South
  • Charly Palmer and "How Sweet the Sound"
    Charly Palmer
  • David George Haskell and book "How Flowers Made Our World"
    David George Haskell
  • Lee Bains and book "Work Lunch"
    Lee Bains
  • Acie Clark and book "Small Talk"
    Acie Clark
  • Ellie Black and book "Revelator"
    Ellie Black
  • Hannah Whitten and book "Reliquary"
    Hannah Whitten
  • Andrew Porter and book "The Imagined Life"
    Andrew Porter
  • Daria Lavelle and book "Aftertaste"
    Daria Lavelle
  • Nathan Harris and book "Amity"
    Nathan Harris
  • Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney and book "Lake Effect"
    Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
  • Tolani Akinola and book "Leave Your Mess at Home"
    Tolani Akinola
  • Quinn Connor and book "Your Beloved Remains"
    Quinn Connor
  • Deesha Philyaw and book "The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman"
    Deesha Philyaw
  • Chris Jennings and book "End of Days"
    Chris Jennings
  • Nikesha Elise Williams and book "The Seven Daughters of Dupree"
    Nikesha Elise Williams
  • Mayukh Sen and book "Love in the Afternoon, and Evening: Essays and Conversations on Soap Operas"
    Mayukh Sen
  • Charlotte Druckman and book "Love in the Afternoon, and Evening: Essays and Conversations on Soap Operas"
    Charlotte Druckman
  • Christina Lauren and book "the Romance Revival"
    Christina Lauren
  • Sarah Damoff and book cover for "The Burning Side"
    Sarah Damoff
  • Ayana Gray and book cover for "Hawk and Sparrow"
    Ayana Gray
  • Robert G. Parkinson and cover of book "Tyrants and Rogues"
    Robert G. Parkinson
  • Beverly Gage and book cover for "This Land is Your Land"
    Beverly Gage
  • Alex George and cover of book "In the Mood to bake"
    Alex George
  • Benjamin Hale and cover of book "Cave Mountain"
    Benjamin Hale
  • Beronda L. Montgomery and cover of book "When Trains Testify"
    Beronda L. Montgomery
  • Annie Hartnett and cover of book "The Road to Tender Hearts"
    Annie Hartnett
  • Alix E. Harrow and cover of her book "The Everlasting"
    Alix E. Harrow
  • Ariel Lawhon and cover of her book "The Pirate Queen"
    Ariel Lawhon

Our Thanks

Support for the Six Bridges Book Festival is provided, in part, by the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism. The Central Arkansas Library System gratefully acknowledges the support of the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau; the Darragh Foundation; the Rebsamen Fund; and the many other donors and partners who make this festival possible. The Junior League of Little Rock is a partner for the Little Readers Rock events.