The Wisconsin Book Festival

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The downtown library hosts many of the speakers. | Photo via Wisconsin Book Festival

Dewey know about the Wisconsin Book Festival? 📚

The event is back in a hybrid-virtual format this year + kicks off on Thurs., Oct. 21. We’re *writing down* how to get the most of the free, 5-day book lover’s extravaganza.

A Page of History

  • The festival was started in 2001 by the Wisconsin Humanities Council which means this is the 20th year of celebrating + discussing renowned authors.
  • It is currently a partnership between Madison Public Library + Madison Public Library Foundation.
  • Over 900 writers have participated in the festival — ranging from Celeste Ng to James Patterson.
  • The Wisconsin Book Festival technically runs all year long, but kicks into gear with a fall celebration of events this week.
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The last time the event was in person was in 2019. | Photo via Wisconsin Book Festival

LITerary Events

  • Carol Anderson | Thurs., Oct. 21 | 7 p.m. | Virtual | Join award-winning educator + historian for a talk on her newest book — The Second — about how the 2nd amendment has impacted African Americans.
  • Jaquira Diaz | Sat., Oct. 23 | 3 p.m. | Central Library, Community Room 302 | The Whiting Award recipient will be discussing her memoir — Ordinary Girls.
  • Nick Petrie | Sat., Oct. 23 | 4:30 p.m. | Central Library, Community Room 301 | Best-selling thriller writer of The Breaker will talk about his newest novel.
  • Nickolas Butler | Sat., Oct. 23 | 6 p.m. | Central Library, Community Room 302 | Wisconsin writer of Godspeed — a 21st century morality tale set in Jackson Hole — is the focus of the discussion.

Book Your Schedule

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