The Central Wisconsin Book Festival began in 2017 as an initiative of the Marathon County Public Library in Wausau, WI and takes place annually around the second half of September. Our festival is almost entirely grant funded, and all events are free to attend! Events will happen over the weekend at various locations in Wausau, Wisconsin Rapids and Stevens Point.

Schedule of Events

June 1-September 30, 2023

Community Read: "Firekeeper's Daughter" by Angeline Boulley at All MCPL Locations, Marathon County, WI

Adults & Teens Join the Central Wisconsin Book Festival and others throughout the area for a Community Read initiative featuring "Firekeeper's Daughter" by Angeline Boulley, who will join us virtually on Sept. 28!

September 1-30, 2023

Poetry Walk at Downtown Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI

Adults & Teens Drop-in Take in some poetry while meandering through the downtown areas of Wausau and Stevens Point in September during our Poetry Walk, part of the Central Wisconsin Book Festival!

September 23, 2023

10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.: Poetry Walk Live Reading at Portage County Public Library, 1001 Main Street, Stevens Point, WI

Adults & Teens Poets from all over Wisconsin will descend on the Portage County Public Library in Stevens Point for a live reading of their work in this year's Poetry Walk, and the public is invited!

September 28, 2023

6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.: UPDATED: In Conversation With Angeline Boulley at Zoom (Online)

Adults & Teens UPDATED: Join us for an exclusive screening of a virtual chat with acclaimed author Angeline Boulley! Libraries in Wausau, Wis. Rapids and Stevens Point also will host in-person watch parties.

September 29, 2023

5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.: Local Author Spotlight With Kathy Sherwood & Nikki Kallio at Portage County Public Library, 1001 Main Street, Stevens Point, WI

Adults The public is invited to the Portage County Public Library, when the Central Wisconsin Book Festival shines a light on two local authors: Kathy Sherwood and Nikki Kallio!

7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.: Food, Fiction & Old Fashioneds With J. Ryan Stradal at Elks Lodge, 414 Scott Street #414, Wausau, WI

Adults Join the Central Wisconsin Book Festival as we try to recreate a supper club experience in Wausau and welcome acclaimed author J. Ryan Stradal for a reading of his new book!

September 30, 2023

9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.: Driftless Mysteries With Sue Berg at Portage County Public Library, 1001 Main Street, Stevens Point, WI

Adults Step into a world of mystery and memorable characters with Wisconsin's own Sue Berg when she joins us at the Portage County Public Library during the Central Wisconsin Book Festival.

10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.: Fiction (and Funny) With Author Lorna Landvik at MCPL Wausau, 300 North First Street, Wausau, WI

Adults The Central Wisconsin Book Festival welcomes author Lorna Landvik for an engaging discussion about her work as a novelist - a discussion that's sure to include some laughs!

10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.: Writing If/Then Stories With Aimée Bissonette at MCPL Wausau, 300 North First Street, Wausau, WI

Children Registration Young patrons are invited to a special, interactive writing workshop with author Aimée Bissonette during the Central Wisconsin Book Festival!

11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.: Debut Author Spotlight With Larry F. Sommers & Steve Fox at Portage County Public Library, 1001 Main Street, Stevens Point, WI

Adults Join us in Stevens Point during the Central Wisconsin Book Festival to hear two authors discuss their debut books and the process to get their books published!

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: "Small-Town Wisconsin" With Mary Bergin at MCPL Wausau, 300 North First Street, Wausau, WI

Adults The Central Wisconsin Book Festival welcomes freelance writer Mary Bergin to discuss her newest book highlighting some of the smaller, perhaps lesser-known towns of the Badger State!

1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.: Nature Connections for Children With Aimée Bissonette at MCPL Wausau, 300 North First Street, Wausau, WI

Adults Many parents can tell you the benefits of introducing children to the natural world outside, and Aimée Bissonette will share reasons why that matters during this Central Wisconsin Book Festival talk!

1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.: "Tailspin" With John Armbruster at Portage County Public Library, 1001 Main Street, Stevens Point, WI

Adults Hear one soldier's incredible ordeal during WWII, and how sharing that story coincided with author John Armbruster's own heart-wrenching story, during this Central Wisconsin Book Festival event.

1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.: Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets 2024 Calendar Launch & Reading at Center for the Visual Arts, 427 North 4th Street, Wausau, WI

Adults The Central Wisconsin Book Festival is excited to partner with the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets for a live poetry reading to celebrate the launch of WFOP's 2024 calendar!

1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.: Fantasy Fiction Author Panel at McMillan Memorial Library, 490 East Grand Avenue, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Adults & Teens If you're a fan of fantasy fiction, you won't want to miss this Central Wisconsin Book Festival panel with authors Bradley P. Beaulieu, Sarah Monette and Amy Allworden!

2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.: "Chinese Prodigal" With David Shih at MCPL Wausau, 300 North First Street, Wausau, WI

Adults The Central Wisconsin Book Festival welcomes David Shih, professor of English at UW-Eau Claire, to share his new book "Chinese Prodigal: A Memoir in Eight Arguments."

2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.: "Wisconsin Waters" With Scott Spoolman at Portage County Public Library, 1001 Main Street, Stevens Point, WI

Adults & Teens Minnesota may claim 10,000 lakes, but Wisconsin is no slouch when it comes to open water. Hear more about Badger State waterways with author Scott Spoolman during the Central Wisconsin Book Festival!

3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.: Creating Stories That Engage With Bradley P. Beaulieu at McMillan Memorial Library, 490 East Grand Avenue, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Adults & Teens Join us for an informative writing technique presentation at the McMillan Memorial Library with award-winning fantasy author Bradley P. Beaulieu during the Central Wisconsin Book Festival!

3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.: A Writer's Life With Victoria Houston at MCPL Wausau, 300 North First Street, Wausau, WI

Adults Victoria Houston is one of the most popular writers to call Wisconsin home. Join us during the Central Wisconsin Book Festival as she shares more about herself and what led her to a life of writing!

6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.: Northern Lakes Mysteries With Jeff Nania at McMillan Memorial Library, 490 East Grand Avenue, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Adults Join us at the McMillan Memorial Library when award-winning author Jeff Nania tells stories, reads excerpts and answers questions about his mystery novels. Part of the Central Wisconsin Book Festival.

7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.: "The Ski Jumpers" With Peter Geye at McMillan Memorial Library, 490 East Grand Avenue, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Adults Join us for an event at the McMillan Memorial Library with acclaimed author Peter Geye on his works of fiction during the Central Wisconsin Book Festival!

7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.: Poets Laureate Night Feat. Nicholas Gulig at Whitewater Music Hall, 130 North First Street, Wausau, WI

Adults The Central Wisconsin Book Festival welcomes four poets laureate for readings of their work and an engaging discussion about poetry and writing, including Wisconsin Poet Laureate Nicholas Gulig!

October 1, 2023

12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.: Frank Lloyd Wright's Wisconsin With Kristine Hansen at Stewart Inn, 521 Grant Street, Wausau, WI

Adults Registration Please note that registration is FULL for Kristine Hansen's 12:30pm talk but we've added a 2nd event at 1:45pm!

1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.: "Indigenizing History" With Patty Loew at Portage County Public Library, 1001 Main Street, Stevens Point, WI

Adults & Teens Join us at the Portage County Public Library for an engaging Central Wisconsin Book Festival talk and Q&A with the multitalented Patty Loew about writing place-based histories.

1:45 p.m.-2:45 p.m.: SECOND PROGRAM ADDED: Frank Lloyd Wright's Wisconsin With Kristine Hansen at Stewart Inn, 521 Grant Street, Wausau, WI

Adults Registration Due to popular demand, we've added a second talk with author Kristine Hansen about her new book on Frank Lloyd Wright's Wisconsin connections. Registration is required and space is limited!

2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.: "A Winter's Rime" With Author Carol Dunbar at Timekeeper Distillery, 720 Grant Street, Wausau, WI

Adults Join the Central Wisconsin Book Festival for our final 2023 event featuring award-winning author Carol Dunbar sharing her new novel, "A Winter's Rime."

6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.: Just Added: Live Q&A With Angeline Boulley at Zoom (Online)

Adults & Teens We've added a second virtual event with acclaimed bestselling author Angeline Boulley! This live event to close out the 2023 CWBF will be a whole hour of nothing but audience Q&A!

Date: September 28-October 1, 2023

Cost: Free

Location: Various Towns in Wisconsin

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