Award-Winning Artist and Author YOGI DADA and Rocky Heights Print & Binding to Headline BPL's 2026 Local Authors Expo

 

2026 Local Authors Expo Presented by the Tri-County (Alabama) Chapter of The Links, Inc. and the Birmingham Public Library

 Saturday, August 1, 2026
 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
 Birmingham Public Library, 2100 Park Place, Downtown Birmingham

Admission: Free

The Birmingham Public Library's annual Local Authors' Expo will feature 50 Alabama authors selling and signing their books, plus  keynote presentations by author/poet/artist YOGI DADA and Hope Fortenberry of Rocky Heights Print & Binding.

Award-Winning Artist and Author YOGI DADA and Rocky Heights Print & Binding to Headline Birmingham Public Library's 2026 Local Authors Expo

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Award-winning Birmingham artist and author YOGI DADA and Rocky Heights Printing & Binding’s Hope Fortenberry will headline the Birmingham Public Library's 2026 Local Authors' Expo on Saturday, Aug. 1.

Fifty Alabama authors will participate this in free event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the downtown Birmingham Public Library, 2100 Park Place. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet authors, purchase signed books, hear from publishing professionals and discover the rich literary talent found throughout Alabama.

YOGI DADA recently expanded her long list of creative accomplishments with the release of her second book, Djembe Chronicles: Humans, Animals & Angels. The collection features 22 stories inspired by the people and memorable encounters she experienced while playing her djembe drum in Birmingham parks.

Known throughout the Southeast for her vibrant Afrocentric artwork, signature DADA earrings and colorful wearable art, YOGI DADA was also named the 2026 Railroad Park Artist of the Year, creating the park's commemorative poster. During the expo, she will share her journey from artist to author before joining fellow writers for book sales and signings.

The expo will also feature a special presentation by Hope Fortenberry of Rocky Heights Printing & Binding, giving aspiring authors valuable information about the publishing process and practical guidance on transforming a manuscript into a finished book.

The 50 participating authors represent three categories:

• Adult Fiction — 20 authors
• Youth Authors — 20 authors
• Adult Nonfiction — 10 authors

Whether you're searching for your next favorite read, looking for a signed copy from a local author or dreaming of publishing your own book, the 2026 Local Authors' Expo offers something for readers and writers of every age.

For more information, visit www.cobpl.org.

For more information about YOGI DADA, click on a Q&A interview by BPL's Roy Williams.

Written by Roy L. Williams, Public Relations Specialist - Birmingham Public Library