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 “Top Gun Governance” by Derek M. Stevens. 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.
“Top Gun Governance” by Derek M. Stevens examines the challenges leaders and organizations face in an increasingly complex and unpredictable world. Derek M. Stevens argues that traditional approaches to governance and management can struggle when organizations must respond quickly to rapid change, uncertainty, and interconnected global events. The book emphasizes situational awareness—the ability to understand what is happening, recognize emerging patterns, and better anticipate what may happen next—as an important capability for effective leadership and governance.
Drawing on Stevens’s experience across consulting, project management, organizational change, government, and military-related environments, the book offers ideas intended to help leaders improve sense-making and prediction. Its approach is designed to be adaptable across industries rather than limited to one particular type of organization.
Derek M. Stevens holds degrees in psychology and computer science. His diverse educational and professional background contributed to his interest in understanding complex problems and exploring how ideas from different disciplines can be applied to organizational challenges.
Stevens has worked internationally for more than thirty years as a business consultant, project manager, PMO manager, and change-management professional. His experience has involved helping organizations address complex problems and navigate significant change. This extensive professional background forms an important foundation for Top Gun Governance, where he brings together lessons from organizational management, change leadership, situational awareness, and decision-making to propose a more adaptive approach to governance in a rapidly changing world.
This book is compelling because it addresses one of the most significant challenges facing leaders today: how to make sound decisions when the environment around them is constantly changing. Many leadership books focus on strategy, planning, or management techniques, but Stevens places particular emphasis on the ability to understand the situation itself before deciding what to do. His approach encourages leaders to question assumptions and recognize that strategies which worked in the past may not always remain effective in the future.
Its combination of professional experience, organizational theory, situational awareness, and change-management principles creates a broad perspective on what leadership requires in a world where unexpected events can quickly reshape the future. For readers seeking a thoughtful approach to governance that emphasizes adaptability, awareness, and the courage to challenge outdated assumptions, Derek M. Stevens offers an insightful blueprint for becoming a more effective and forward-thinking leader.
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.