Photo Gallery | Mississippi Book Fest 2025

Thousands of literary fans climbed the steps of the State Capitol in Jackson, Mississippi, on Saturday, Sept. 13, to sit in on panels, attend workshops and ask authors to sign their books as part of the 2025 iteration of the Mississippi Book Festival. This booklovers’ paradise, the 11th festival since the nonprofit began in 2015, drew in a number of contemporary writers from the Magnolia State, as well as others from surrounding areas within the region and beyond. 

So that those who couldn’t attend can still feel involved, the Mississippi Free Press—thanks to David Rae Morris’ brilliant photography—has put together this photo gallery showcasing just a fraction of what this annually anticipated event has to offer. 

Photo Gallery

The 2025 Mississippi Book Festival is held annually on the grounds of the State Capitol in Jackson, Miss. Photo by David Rae Morris
” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__269_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?fit=212%2C300&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__269_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?fit=724%2C1024&ssl=1″ src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__269_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=724%2C1024&ssl=1″ alt=”A crowd is seen attending the Mississippi Book Festival on the State Capitol grounds” class=”wp-image-337966″ srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__269_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=724%2C1024&ssl=1 724w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__269_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=212%2C300&ssl=1 212w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__269_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=768%2C1086&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__269_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=780%2C1102&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__269_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=400%2C565&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__269_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?w=849&ssl=1 849w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__269_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris-724×1024.jpg?w=370&ssl=1 370w” sizes=”(max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px”>

Dr. Tonja Murphy leads a writing workshop for kids entitled “Prose and Possability Creative Workshop” for young writers ages 12 and up. Photo by David Rae Morris
” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__486_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__486_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1″ src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__486_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=780%2C520&ssl=1″ alt=”A woman stands in front of a panel, arm in air, with books standing before her” class=”wp-image-337967″ srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__486_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__486_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__486_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__486_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=780%2C520&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__486_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=400%2C267&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__486_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__486_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris-1024×683.jpg?w=370&ssl=1 370w” sizes=”(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px”>

The family of the late Mississippi writer Greg Iles stand on the steps of the State Capitol while listening to tributes with friends and staff at the Mississippi Book Festival held on Sept. 13, 2025. Photo by David Rae Morris
” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__036_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__036_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1″ src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__036_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=780%2C520&ssl=1″ alt=”A group stands on the steps of the State Capitol” class=”wp-image-337965″ srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__036_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__036_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__036_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__036_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=780%2C520&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__036_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=400%2C267&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__036_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__036_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris-1024×683.jpg?w=370&ssl=1 370w” sizes=”auto, (max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px”>

Former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, right, speaks with Jim Barksdale prior to a panel on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina at the 2025 Mississippi Book Festival. Photo by David Rae Morris
” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__149_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__149_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?fit=780%2C782&ssl=1″ src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__149_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=780%2C782&ssl=1″ alt=”Haley Barbour is seen talking to another man” class=”wp-image-337963″ srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__149_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=1021%2C1024&ssl=1 1021w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__149_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__149_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__149_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=768%2C771&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__149_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=400%2C401&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__149_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=200%2C200&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__149_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=780%2C783&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__149_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?w=1196&ssl=1 1196w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__149_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris-1021×1024.jpg?w=370&ssl=1 370w” sizes=”auto, (max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px”>

Audience members react to panel at the 2025 Mississippi Book Festival. This year’s festival included more than 50 panels. Photo by David Rae Morris
” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__345_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__345_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1″ src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__345_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=780%2C520&ssl=1″ alt=”An audience in a book panel seen clapping” class=”wp-image-337964″ srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__345_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__345_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__345_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__345_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=780%2C520&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__345_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=400%2C267&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__345_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D750__345_edit_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris-1024×683.jpg?w=370&ssl=1 370w” sizes=”auto, (max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px”>

Eddie Cotton, Jr., left,  Stevie J. Blues, center, and Arrianna Washington pose prior to their panel “Jacktown USA,” which focused on the music scene in Jackson, at the 2025 Mississippi Book Festival.  Photo by David Rae Morris
” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__557_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?fit=300%2C201&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__557_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?fit=780%2C521&ssl=1″ src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__557_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=780%2C521&ssl=1″ alt=”Three people sit at a book panel” class=”wp-image-337960″ srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__557_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=1024%2C684&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__557_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=300%2C201&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__557_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=768%2C513&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__557_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=780%2C521&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__557_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?resize=400%2C267&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__557_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MS_BookFest25_D850__557_edit-_MFP_cred-David-Rae-Morris-1024×684.jpg?w=370&ssl=1 370w” sizes=”auto, (max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px”>

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