The Southern Utah Book Festival is a gathering of readers, writers, illustrators, and book enthusiasts. Our festival venues are located throughout historic downtown Cedar City and are within minutes of each other and as well as restaurants and amenities. This literary experience invites readers to engage with writers, illustrators, and workshop facilitators. Some festival highlights include:

More than 35+ presenters, ranging from authors to illustrators to workshop facilitators, will graciously share their works, talents, and passion for literature. 

Over 20 genres and literacy activities will be featured, including graphic novels, horror, local history, picture books, playwriting, poetry, romance, sci-fi, self-publishing, Western, young adult, and a cultural story by Paiute tribe members.  

Our local and out-of-town guests will be presenting throughout the week in the following beautiful venues: Artisans Art Gallery, Cedar City Library, Frontier Homestead State Park, Johnson Art Center, Main Street Books, Southern Utah Museum of Art, Southern Utah University, and the Utah Shakespeare Festival.

These events are made possible in partnership with Utah Humanities as part of the annual UT Humanities Book Festival.

Schedule

October 14, 2024

Prehistoric Claws and Jaws with Julia Lyon

Prehistoric Claws and Jaws:  Julia Lyon’s dino-mite nonfiction picture book has it all!

Julia Lyon discusses her book, A Dinosaur Named Ruth, based on the true story of Ruth Mason, a pioneer girl in South Dakota who found dinosaur bones in her own backyard. With hands on manipulatives provided by the Garth & Jerri Frehner Museum of Natural History and National Parks:  Cedar Breaks National Monument.  This session is moderated by Elaine Vickers.

A Dinosaur Named Ruth chosen for the 2023 Texas Topaz Reading List; Short LIsted for Reading the West 2022; Named one of Bank Street College of Education's Best Children's Books of 2021.

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Cedar City Library, 303 N 100 E, Cedar City, UT 84721, USA

October 15, 2024

Lace Up with Elaine Vickers

In Elaine Vickers’ middle-grade novel, two seventh graders discover it takes more than grit and a good pair of shoes to run 13.1 miles. You’ve got to have a partner who refuses to quit.  A writing workshop with Elaine will also be held following the discussion of her novels.  This session is moderated by Julia Lyon.

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Cedar City Library, 303 N 100 E, Cedar City, UT 84721, USA

October 16, 2024

Real Locations, Imagined Selves with Paisley Rekdal

Defining a sense of place through words led by Paisley Rekdal.

A writing workshop that will focus on finding a sense of place through words and documenting a place through poetry.  A reading and refreshments will follow the writing workshop.

6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Frontier Homestead State Park Museum, 635 N Main St, Cedar City, UT 84721, USA

October 17, 2024

“West: A Translation” with Paisley Rekdal

“West: A Translation”-Crossing land and history through poetry A reading and discussion with former Utah Poet Laureate, Paisley Rekdal, as she revisits history through the untold stories of migrants who worked on the transcontinental railroad.

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Southern Utah University, APEX, 351 W University Blvd, Cedar City, UT 84720, USA

Humanities in the Wild: Following the Creative Flow with Rob Carney

Join us for a writing/walking workshop on Thursday afternoon along Coal Creek Trail with renowned poet Rob Carney.  Meet at the gazebo in the West Canyon Park on 400 East (halfway between Center Street and 200 South) at 4:00 PM.  Bring water, a hat, a notebook and pen, and dress in layers.  In case of inclement weather, the workshop will be held at Artisans Art Gallery 94 West Center Street.

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM

Canyon Park, 500 E Center St, Cedar City, UT 84720, USA

October 18, 2024

Opening Exhibit with Poetry Readings at SUMA

Poetry readings with an eco focus that bridge SUMA 's opening exhibit of Salt Lines: Exploring Climate, Environment, and the Saline Influx to the Southern Utah Book Festival will be given by poets Danielle Dubrasky and Natalie Young.  SUMA exhibit artists may also read or direct focus to their installations with a 17 minute track of a poetry reading.  The opening and readings will occur from 6-7 PM with an opportunity to explore the exhibit and mingle with multiple festival authors from 7-9 PM.

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

SUMA, Southern Utah Museum of Art, 13 S 300 W, Cedar City, UT 84720, USA

October 19, 2024

Main Events: Southern Utah Book Festival

Events run from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at five locations around Historic Downtown Cedar City with 24 engaging panels and workshops along with book sales and signings. Events include genre panels, author/illustrator readings and discussions, and workshops

Schedule

Picture Books for a Better Tomorrow

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM

SUMA, Southern Utah Museum of Art, 13 S 300 W, Cedar City, UT 84720, USA

Stop Worrying about Loving Horror

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM

Johnson Art Center, 59 N. 100 W., Cedar City, UT 84720

Date: October 14-19, 2024

Location: Various Venues in Cedar City

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