Join us for our annual celebration
of local books and authors.
The day-long celebration of local writers and books, now in its fourth year, will include craft-focused writing workshops and an author fair during which local writers will be able to promote, sign, and sell copies of their works.
This year's special guest is award-winning Wisconsin author Maggie Ginsberg. Maggie's debut novel, Still True, was published by the University of Wisconsin Press in September 2022 and won the 2023 WLA Literary Award for Fiction. It was also the honorable mention selection for the 2022 Edna Ferber Fiction Book Award, one of four finalists for the Chicago Writers Association’s 2023 Book of the Year, a 2023 Midwest Book Awards silver medal winner in the Literary/Contemporary/Historical Fiction category, and one of three finalists for the Women’s Fiction Writers Association’s STAR Award for Outstanding Debut.
Book Fest 2025 is sponsored by the Friends of Hedberg Public Library. Additional sponsors coming soon.
Special Guest Author: Maggie Ginsberg
FRIENDS OF HPL AUTHOR RECEPTION
Friday, June 20, 5:30 p.m.
PROGRAM ROOM
Enjoy appetizers and cash bar followed by a book sale and signing and a discussion of Maggie's novel Still True.
Free and open to the public. Registration required.
Visit maggieginsberg.com to learn more about Maggie.
Writing Workshops
SESSION I: 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Crafting Unforgettable Characters
Presented by Kristin Oakley
PROGRAM ROOM
Examine some remarkable characters in literature and then run through a series of exercises to explore your protagonist’s physical and psychological attributes, strengths, weaknesses (including the fatal flaw), desires, and overriding goal.
REGISTER
Everything You Need to Get Started
Presented by Ken Brosky
FIREPLACE ROOM
Learn the most important elements of storytelling and multiple approaches to plot so your first draft flows smoothly.
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Create Your Own Comics
Presented by CJ Standal
LAB 316
Learn how to create your own comics, including tips on publishing, self-publishing, marketing and distribution.
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Illuminating the Truth
Presented by Jacqueline Houtman
WOODRUFF ROOM
Learn techniques you can use to shine a light on the truth of your stories, no matter what the genre or target audience, including narrative structure and organization, theme and focus, revision and editing for clarity and accessibility.
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SESSION II: 10:45-11:45 a.m.
Bringing Your Manuscript to Port: Navigating the Varied Channels to Book Publication
Presented by Peggy Joque Williams, Christine DeSmet, Kristin Oakley, and Kenneth Humphrey
PROGRAM ROOM
Discuss the variety of channels (traditional, indie press, self-pub, and hybrid publishers) available to authors to get their books into print, as well as the pros and cons of the various publication channels. Hear the panel’s personal publication experiences, with the overarching message that there is no one right path to publication.
Plotting the Bones of Your Story
Presented by Sarah J. Mendonca
LAB 316
Learn about crafting a core plot idea, key plot beats, and the importance of meeting genre expectations. From character, setting, and voice, there are many parts that work together to create the body of your story. Unfortunately, that can all fall apart if you don’t have a strong plot to hold it all up.
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Down the Rabbit Hole: Research for Writers
Presented by Terri Karsten
WOODRUFF ROOM
Sometimes, 'write what you know' is not enough. Sometimes, writers need to find answers for what they don't know but need to learn to complete their story. This session, geared toward writers of both fiction and non-fiction, will provide practical suggestions, including information about different kinds of research (primary, secondary, experiential) and tips on how to find and use each type. Guidelines for how to judge the quality of information, and several good sources will also be shared.
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10 WAYS I GOT UNSTUCK
Saturday, June 21, 12:30-2 p.m.
PROGRAM ROOM
Every polished page of writing represents a dozen barriers that could have kept the words from landing on the page. Learn Maggie’s process and discuss 10 different challenges she struggled through and overcame. Walk away with tips, tools, strategies and samples by other writers on everything from craft to time management to publishing.
Registration is recommended but not required.
