Largest audience at a book reading (multiple authors)

British author J.K. Rowling (writer of the record-breaking Harry Potter series) was one of three authors who read excerpts from their works to an audience of 20,264 at Toronto's SkyDome stadium (Canada) on 24 October 2000, as part of Harbourfront Centre's International Festival of Authors. Canadian author Kenneth Oppel read from his novel Silverwing, while his compatriot Tim Wynne-Jones presented an excerpt from The Boy in the Burning House. Rowling's reading came from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Many children had arrived wearing black robes and pointy hats, and had Potter's trademark lightning bolt painted on their foreheads.
Analysis of audience total: 16,200 had bought tickets directly through TicketMaster. Another approximately 3,500 used free tickets that had been distributed through children's charities. In addition there were sponsors, publishers, members of the media, organisers, many of whom had families in tow.