Goth-dressed fantasy fans? Be prepared for a long line. Political thriller junkies? Dust off your old paperback Clancy copies. Parents of Princess Diaries-obsessed young ones? Ready your little girls.

The lineup has been announced for the National Book Festival, to be held on September 24 from 10-5 p.m. on the mall and sponsored by the Library of Congress. This year’s lineup is a mix of favorites from years past and new appearances from esteemed authors.

Last year’s biggest draw seemed to be “American Gods” author Neil Gaiman, whose devotees (including this DCist) lined up for hours ahead of time to snag an autograph from the storyteller. Gaiman’s back again this year, no doubt to plug his new novel “Anansi Boys”, which fans got a sneak preview of last year when Gaimain melodically read aloud from his work in progress.

John Irving drew rock star-worthy crowds when he appeared at the National Press Club earlier this month, and should create even more buzz when he stops by the festival this year. Also no stranger to DC area appearances is the dapper Tom Wolfe, who’s scheduled to attend as well. Other big fiction names on the calendar include “Ragtime’s” E.L. Doctorow, teen thriller author R.L. Stine (another repeat attendee), Tom Clancy, and astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who now has a children’s tome under his belt. It being D.C., even Lynne Cheney gets the chance to plug her children’s book endeavors.

On the nonfiction front, New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman will appear, as will presidential biographer David McCullough, who was in the district not long ago to testify before Congress on the importance of history in public education. Food Network hottie Giada De Laurentiis will be signing cookbooks as well, which shouldn’t disappoint the male population.

The festival is free, and attendees can listen to poetry readings and book talks, as well as purchase overpriced food and copies of participating authors’ works. A full list of scheduled authors appears on the festival’s website.