When federal funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities (N.E.H.) vanished overnight, the future of book festivals across America looked bleak. But in Nashville, something extraordinary happened: a community rallied around stories—and saved its literary soul.
At the heart of this rescue was novelist and bookstore owner Ann Patchett, who refused to watch the Southern Festival of Books disappear without a fight. Her weapon? A simple, heartfelt plea—and a $20 donation ask that sparked a nationwide movement .
The Crisis: When Humanities Funding Disappeared
In early 2025, the newly formed “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) eliminated all federal support for the N.E.H. Overnight, state humanities councils—like Humanities Tennessee—faced a financial cliff. Though never fully dependent on federal dollars, the sudden loss of this anchor funding threatened core programs, including the beloved Southern Festival of Books, now in its 37th year.
“It’s like you’re sitting in a bar, and there are all of these fights going on,” Patchett told The New York Times. “And then someone comes in, and you realize: ‘Oh, God, that’s my fight.’”
The $20 Miracle: How Small Gifts Made a Big Difference
From her Nashville bookstore, Parnassus Books, Patchett launched a social media appeal to her 500,000 followers: donate $20 to keep the festival alive. “We might be able to be the tide that lifts the boat,” she said in a viral video.
The response was overwhelming. Donations poured in from all 50 states. Direct contributions linked to her campaign totaled nearly $70,000—but the ripple effect was even greater. Inspired by the grassroots energy, two six-figure gifts from private foundations followed, recognizing what the loss of public humanities would mean for civic life.
Community Power: Authors, Universities, and Readers Unite
Ann Patchett wasn’t alone. Mother-daughter authors Alice Randall and Caroline Randall Williams stepped up to lead the “Authors in the Round” fundraising dinner—and shattered records, raising more than any previous year.
Meanwhile, Vanderbilt University, home to a top-ranked creative writing program, began forging a formal partnership with Humanities Tennessee. “The Southern Festival of Books is an amazing cornerstone of intellectual life,” said Provost Cybele Raver. “When its future was in jeopardy, Vanderbilt had an opportunity to act.”
These efforts were bolstered by an emergency grant from the Mellon Foundation, which distributed emergency funds to all state humanities councils.
What Was Saved—and What Was Lost
Thanks to this coalition, the 2025 Southern Festival of Books will go on as planned—free and open to the public on October 18–19 in Nashville . But not everything survived. The statewide grant program, which supported rural libraries and local reading initiatives, is now on indefinite hiatus—a painful reminder of what’s at stake.
Why Book Festivals Matter More Than Ever
In a time of polarization and digital isolation, book festivals offer something rare: real human connection. They’re spaces where strangers gather to discuss ideas, share grief, laugh at satire, and find common ground through stories.
As Margaret Renkl writes, “We are a fangless, clawless, furless species, and we survive only in community.” The survival of the Southern Festival of Books proves that when stories are threatened, people will fight—not with weapons, but with $20 bills and shared belief.
Key Players in the Rescue Effort
| Name | Role | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Patchett | Novelist & Bookstore Owner | Launched $20 campaign; raised $70K+ |
| Alice & Caroline Randall Williams | Authors | Led record-breaking fundraising dinner |
| Vanderbilt University | Academic Partner | Forming strategic partnership with Humanities TN |
| Mellon Foundation | Philanthropy | Provided emergency national relief funding |
Sources
The New York Times: How to Save a Book Festival
Humanities Tennessee – Official Website
Parnassus Books – Nashville
