There is a certain kind of excitement that can only be found at a book festival. Readers wander from one title to another, authors share the stories behind their work, and unexpected discoveries happen simply because someone decided to pick up a book. That sense of curiosity and connection is what makes the Bookmarks Festival of Books & Authors 2026 such a special literary gathering. Taking place in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the festival brings together people who share a love for books while creating opportunities to discover new authors, explore different perspectives, and celebrate the many stories that bring communities together.
The Bookmarks Festival of Books & Authors 2026 concluded last September 26–27, 2026, marking the festival’s 21st anniversary. The main celebration transforms downtown Winston-Salem into a lively destination for readers, featuring author panels, readings, book signings, exhibitors, vendors, food trucks, and activities for visitors of all ages. The festival also welcomes young readers with a dedicated children’s area where children can participate in activities and receive free books, making the celebration an experience that families can enjoy together.
Literary festivals such as Bookmarks offer something that cannot always be found through a simple visit to a bookstore or an online search. They create a space where readers can encounter books in a more personal way. A panel can provide insight into an author’s creative process, a book signing can turn a title into a memorable keepsake, and an unexpected conversation can lead a reader toward a story they might never have discovered otherwise. It is this combination of literature and human connection that continues to make book festivals valuable to the publishing community.
Among the titles proudly represented by Citi of Books at this year’s festival is “Heart of the Matter” by Joyce H. Hynes. The book offers readers another distinctive voice to discover and reflects the variety of stories and perspectives found within our publishing community. We are excited to introduce this work to the festival audience and give visitors the opportunity to explore the author’s ideas, experiences, and creative vision through the pages of the book.
“Heart of the Matter” by Joyce H. Hynes is by a desire to uplift others navigating their own valleys of suffering, Joyce wrote this memoir to share the timeless truth that hope is never lost. Every setback in her life became a setup for deeper faith. This book offers a window into her heart—a heart mended not only by surgeons, but by the hands of a loving Creator.
Joyce H. Hynes a composer, musician, and most recently, author of Words from the Maestro and Heart of the Matter is a creative force whose life and work have been shaped by resilience, music, and faith. A musician of several stringed instruments, Joyce graduated Magna Cum Laude with an AA in Music and holds certifications as both a Music Practitioner and a Certified Activity Director. Her professional journey spans nearly two decades in healthcare, years as a music teacher, and her current role with the YMCA Child Watch Program, where she uses music to enrich young lives.
“Heart of the Matter” by Joyce H. Hynes is an extraordinary memoir that delves deep into the human spirit’s capacity to endure, heal, and flourish in the face of life-threatening adversity. At just nine years old, Joyce underwent her first open-heart surgery in 1961, a time when cardiac procedures were still in their infancy and the odds of survival were daunting. What began as a battle for life evolved into a lifelong journey of courage, faith, and renewal. Through decades of repeated surgeries, hospitalizations, and complications, Joyce discovered that strength is not the absence of pain, but the persistence of hope.
This deeply personal narrative invites readers into a world where hospital rooms become sacred spaces of growth, scars become testaments of triumph, and every breath is celebrated as a miracle. Heart of the Matter is far more than a recounting of medical history—it is a meditation on grace, gratitude, and God’s sustaining love through every trial.
It is a memoir that transcends time, offering lessons not just about survival but about living abundantly and purposefully. Through her music, her words, and her unbreakable spirit, Joyce reminds us that every challenge carries within it the seed of transformation. Her life is proof that faith can turn suffering into song, and that even a fragile heart can become a vessel of divine strength.
Citi of Books at Bookmarks Festival of Books & Authors 2026 — celebrating authors, discovering new perspectives, and giving more stories the opportunity to find their readers.