The New Orleans Book Festival has been one of Ragusa’s passion projects since he helped launch it in 2010. It began as a literacy promotion event, founded by Civil Rights icon Ruby Bridges and New Orleans First Lady Cheryl Landrieu.

The annual event has grown and is now produced by Tulane University. It features both fiction and non-fiction and convenes readings, panel discussions, symposia, and keynote speeches. It also provides an opportunity for outlets, authors, and readers to interact with each other in one of the most vibrant and culturally diverse cities in the world.