The 2026 Fall Arts Preview: Our picks in Books

ArtsATL staff

August 19, 2026

Covering everything from horror to romance to stories for kids, Georgia natives are a prolific bunch — and we’re reaping, and reading, the benefits.

Writer Jina DuVernay has the scoop on books written by Black authors with ties to Atlanta, and, this fall, she’s looking forward to Mazywood by Tananarive Due, a literary thriller following the grandson of a famous 20th century Black actress.

Also check out What (TF) Do I Do Now? by Tareasa “Reesa Teesa” Johnson, a memoir about how Johnson bounced back to her true self following a bad relationship, and Find My Way Down to You, a novel by Julian Winters depicting a romance between our world and the underworld.

Rachel Wright has the skinny on spooky books set here in the Peach State, so be sure to mark your calendar for the full list out in late September.

For now, clear shelf space for haunting tales such as Damned if I Do by Alexandria Bellefleur, a paranormal romance set in a small Georgia town; Nightjars by Michael Wehunt, a psychological horror taking place in Georgia; and When the Night Comes Knocking by Katherine Daniel, set in North Georgia and perfect for a mountain escape with a side of the shivers.

More Books of Note . . .

Author Allie Millington’s new novel, Trunk No. 3, is out this fall.

Author Allie Millington’s next novel, TRUNK NO. 3, is from the POV of a magical suitcase holding the letters of two children who are seeking their place in the world.

McCracken Poston Jr.’s true crime novel, Zenith Man: Death, Love, and Redemption in a Georgia Courtroom, is out in paperback this fall with a new epilogue.

Dena Schusterman’s memoir debut, Stories Carry: We All Carry Them. Some Even Carry Us, spans four generations of a family legacy.

*James E. Stephenson’s debut poetry book comes out this fall.*

The Queen of Second Chances, by Kam Karem, the pen name of T. K. Read, reimagines historic Conyers as a supernatural small town.

Atlanta author JI Daniels has an upcoming hybrid memoir titled My Monstrous Family Cookbook, full of memory, confession, family history and tenderness.

Wendee Duong, a medical student at PCOM Georgia, has just released her first children’s book, The Lantern in My Eyes, inspired by her experience living with juvenile glaucoma.

James E. Stephenson has published his debut poetry collection, Something About a House on a Lake, through Black Olive Press. Rooted in everyday experiences, the poems illuminate everything from family life to grocery shopping.

Festivals for Literary Types . . .

Save the date for the Decatur Book Festival, returning October 2 and October 3 and featuring a number of local and national authors.

Don’t miss the 35th annual Book Festival of the MJCCA, taking place November 1 through November 22 and featuring authors, workshops, signings and more.

Atlanta Book Festival hosts a full day of literary events in Southwest Atlanta, from author panels to an open-air book market, on October 17.