Deaf Lit Fest is BACK!

Mark your calendar for October 9-11, 2026 at Hugo House in Seattle, Washington.

This is a festival that aims to spotlight Deaf authors of various backgrounds, provide some workshops related to writing and the literary world, and give opportunities for people to meet other like-minded people.

Youtube ID: Video opens with Rogan signing to the camera. He stands in front of a background covered with writing tools and coffee cups.

Featured Guests
Schedule (Coming Soon)
Vendors (Coming Soon)
Committee
Supporters
FAQ

Featured Guests

We are pleased to announce the following authors, who will be joining us this fall!

Brittany Castle
Author & Illustrator

Brittany Castle is a Deaf artist and founder of 58 Creativity, a brand known for celebrating American Sign Language through visual art. A Gallaudet University graduate, she creates ASL-inspired books, prints, and products that promote Deaf culture, education, and representation in creative and accessible ways.

Follow her work: Instagram | Facebook | Website

ID: Deaf Lit Fest Author Ad- A Caucasian female with medium-length blonde hair wearing a red jacket over a light green shirt with her logo: 58 Creativity.

Rachel Kolb
Author

Rachel Kolb is a writer whose work explores communication, language, and disability as central components of human experience. Her work has been published in The New York Times and The Atlantic, among other venues, and she is the author of the memoir Articulate (Ecco, 2025).

Follow her work: Instagram | Website

ID: Deaf Lit Fest Author Ad- Rachel Kolb is a white woman with long blonde hair wearing a red turtleneck. Photo credit: Josephine Sittenfeld.

Sydney Langford
Author

Sydney Langford is a queer, Deaf-Hard of Hearing, and physically disabled author whose biggest passion in life is creating stories that reflect the diverse world we live in—whether that be rom-coms about quirky, disabled teens; or contemporaries that feature queer joy.

Follow their work: Instagram | Website

ID: Deaf Lit Fest Author Ad- A shoulders-up headshot of Sydney Langford, a pale person with blue eyes, and wavy, chin-length brown hair with the tips dyed hot pink; they’re wearing a black & white striped shirt and a silver nose ring. They're smiling at the camera with their book cover of “Someone to Daydream About.”

Youmee Lee
Author & Illustrator

Youmee Lee is a deaf artist and educator based in Brooklyn. Youmee created an animated Google Doodle of Dorothy "Dot" Miles, a beloved deaf pioneer of sign language poetry. She wrote and illustrated the children's book series, The Chang Family, about an Asian American family, published by Gallaudet University Press.

Follow her work: Instagram | Website

ID: Deaf Lit Fest Author Ad- Youmee Lee, a smiling Asian woman, long dark hair, light striped shirt with her book cover: “The Chang Family Series: Let’s Explore!”

Raymond Luczak
Author, Poet & Publisher

Raymond Luczak is the author and editor of over 40 books, including the poetry collections Ironhood and Animals Out-There W-i-l-d. He’s edited the anthologies I’ll Tell You Later: Deaf Survivors of Dinner Table Syndrome and Deaf Poetry Now!!! He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Follow his work: Facebook | Instagram | Website

ID: Deaf Lit Fest Author Ad- Raymond Luczak , a white bearded male in a plaid work shirt, with “Raymond Luczak, Author, Publisher & Poet” on the white frame and his book cover- “I’ll Tell You Later.”

Carlisle Robinson
Author & Illustrator

Carlisle Robinson is a comic creator and illustrator from Canada and USA. They are passionate about educating the public with rarely told stories by the minority groups, especially deaf people. They went to Gallaudet University for undergrad. They graduated from The Center for Cartoon Studies in Spring 2015 with a Master of Fine Arts. They currently reside in Toronto.

Follow their work: Facebook | Instagram | Website

ID: Deaf Lit Fest Author Ad- Carlisle Robinson, a white nonbinary person with brown shoulder length and glasses in a dark top. “Author & Illustrator” on the white frame. Book cover for “The Journey” overlaps the photo. 

FESTIVAL COMMITEE


Rogan Shannon

Festival Director


Buddy Elledge

Creative Director


Sara Jane Fair

Hospitality & Workshop Coordinator


Patty Liang

Logistics


Kellie Martin

Vendor Coordinator


Danica Metlay

Volunteer Coordinator


Kate Strack

CEUs Coordinator

SUPPORTERS

ID: a white background with a green logo with a shadow: "4" and CULTURE without shadow.

ID: a white background with blue logo "C" over "A&" and text: Office of Arts & Culture with a line over SEATTLE.

ID: a white background with orange "A" with two leaves sprouting from left and black capitalized text: ARTS (bold) FUND.

ID: a white background with a green logo with a shadow: "4" and CULTURE without shadow.

ID: Logo for The Elliot Bay Book Company. In a circle, a black sailing ship with buildings and mountains behind. Underneath, black text: “The Elliott Bay Book Company. Since 1973.”

ID: a white background with white cursive artwork inside a circle with different colors: blue, yellow, red, black and green with text following the curve at bottom: SEATTLE PEOPLE FUND.

Festival FAQ

What is Deaf Lit Fest? 

  • Deaf Lit Fest is a brand-new event being hosted by Deaf Spotlight on October 9-11, 2026 at Hugo House in Seattle, Washington. 

  • This is a festival that aims to spotlight Deaf authors of various backgrounds, provide some workshops related to writing and the literary world, and give opportunities for people to meet other like-minded people.

Where is the festival? 

  • Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122 

Where can we park?

  • We highly encourage you to take public transportation. We are near public bus lines and Light Rail Station: Capitol Hill.

  • Carpooling is highly encouraged! Paid street parking is available in 2 hours/ 4 hours format and will be free after 6 PM in some areas. Sunday is free.

  • Parking lots are available nearby at Seattle Central College on Harvard, Diamond Parking Services, and private lots. Park at your own risk.

Where can we eat and drink nearby?

There are fantastic options: cafes, restaurants, bars, and more in walking distance! Yelp is a great resource!

Where can I see the vendor list? 

  • Vendor list to come soon. 

Which authors will be featured at the festival?

  • Youmee Lee, Author & Illustrator, The Chang Family Series

Will the festival be virtual, in-person, or hybrid format?

  • The festival will be in person at this time.

What is the festival schedule? 

  • Festival Schedule will be released soon.

When will tickets & passes be on sale?

  • We will start selling tickets in August 2026.

Have you any questions about ticket sales?

  • Email info@deafspotlight.org and we will get back to you. 

Can I help support Deaf Lit Fest?

What if I have a question that is not covered in this FAQ? 

I would like to share my feedback, who should I contact?

RETURN TO THE TOP