As Austin gears up for one of its most beloved autumn traditions, the Texas Book Festival is sounding the alarm about a troubling trend targeting the creative community that makes the event so special.
Festival organizers have put out an urgent heads-up to authors, vendors, and participants after catching wind of fraudulent outreach attempts aimed at people connected to the event. Scammers appear to be impersonating festival representatives to extract money or personal information from unsuspecting writers and small business owners.
The Texas Book Festival, held each fall under the wide Central Texas sky along Congress Avenue and the Capitol grounds, draws literary lovers from across the state and beyond. Its sprawling outdoor layout — tents, open plazas, and shaded nooks filled with books and conversation — makes it one of Austin's quintessential seasonal gatherings, right up there with the first cool front rolling in off the Hill Country.
If you're a participating author, artist, or vendor preparing for this year's festival, take a moment before responding to any unsolicited emails, invoices, or booking requests that claim to be from the festival. Always verify communications directly through the official Texas Book Festival website or established contact channels before sharing any sensitive details or sending payment.
Organizers are encouraging anyone who receives a suspicious message to report it immediately. Protecting the vendors and storytellers who bring this outdoor literary celebration to life is essential to keeping Austin's fall festival season as vibrant and welcoming as ever.