The Highland Park Literary Festival welcomed hundreds of community members to the Highland Park High School Auditorium on Thursday, February 19, 2026, for its annual community keynote event featuring acclaimed bestselling author and screenwriter, Blake Crouch. The evening capped a remarkable day that began with Crouch speaking to approximately 2,000 Highland Park High School students in an assembly-style presentation that morning — an experience that left a lasting impression on students and faculty alike.

During the student keynote, Crouch offered candid and inspiring insights on the craft of writing, the role of literature, and the future of storytelling in the age of artificial intelligence. When asked about the challenge AI poses to authors, Crouch was unequivocal: “AI is built on the backs of authors,” he told students, adding that the path forward requires courage. On the craft of character writing, Crouch offered this advice: “Don’t be afraid to use characters to question ‘you’ and your struggles.” He closed the student session by turning the tables, asking how many students wanted to pursue the Arts. Seeing a surprising number of hands in the air, he responded with genuine warmth: “Good! Do it! We need you.”

“Each year, HP LitFest serves thousands in and around our community, in every age group. We are proud to serve more than 6,500 people, from children to adults,” said HP LitFest co-chair Haley DeVault. “Blake Crouch embodied everything we hope our keynote speakers bring — authenticity, passion for storytelling, and a genuine connection with our students and community.”

Crouch is the acclaimed author of Upgrade, Recursion, Dark Matter, and the Wayward Pines trilogy. His Pines trilogy was adapted into a television series for Fox, and he co-created the TNT show Good Behavior. He currently serves as head writer and showrunner for the hit Apple TV+ adaptation of Dark Matter, starring Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Connelly.

The community keynote was generously sponsored by La Fiesta de las Seis Banderas, whose 25 years of support have been instrumental in establishing HP LitFest as one of the region’s prominent literary events. HP LitFest’s programming continued on Friday, February 20, with workshops for all HPHS students, led by 25 accomplished novelists, journalists, poets, songwriters, and playwrights from across the country.  These workshops were sponsored by HP Arts & PC Tag.

Please visit our Book Sales Partner, Bird’s Bookstore, for unique and wonderful book suggestions from our keynote author and so much more.

Donations: To support our public and student programs, please contribute by texting HPLITFEST to 44321 or click below on the PayPal link. Thank you.