The festival's most visible public offering, Authors on the Plaza, will be held in downtown Sonoma, California, on Saturday. Over 20 featured speakers include Doris Kearns Goodwin, Rick Atkinson, Dave Barry, Colum McCann, and Andrew Ross Sorkin. The event aims to connect readers and authors in a free, community setting. Attendees can engage in discussions with authors, participate in breakout sessions, and participate in discussions about published ideas. The three-day program covers various disciplines and forms, including photography and animal behavior. The festival also plans to expand its Students Day and Young Readers programs into elementary and middle schools, distributing thousands of free books.