The 16th annual National Book Festival will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mt Vernon Pl NW on Sept. 24. The convention is free and lasts from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Festival goers can buy books from local bookstore vendors, some of which are pre-signed by big-name authors, hear winning essays from middle school essay contest winners and take home free posters and goodie-bags. Guest speakers will include Stephen King, Shonda Rhimes, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bob Woodward and more. Some speakers will stay after their presentation to sign books. For more information, call 202.707.5000.