To celebrate its fifth anniversary, HPL Book Fest 2026 is expanding into a weeklong celebration of books and writing with the help of a new partnership. HPL welcomes Downtown Janesville, Inc. and the Janesville Farmers Market to the Book Fest team!
This year's festivities will kick off at Hedberg Public Library with a reception and writing workshops the weekend of Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20, and continue with a full week of literary-themed events hosted at businesses throughout downtown Janesville. The celebration will culminate with a Local Author Book Fair on Saturday, June 27 at the Janesville Farmers Market.
HPL Book Fest previously featured Wisconsin Poet Laureate, Dasha Kelly Hamilton in 2022, New York Times best-selling Humorist, Michael Perry in 2023, USA Today bestselling author, Ann Garvin, Ph.D., in 2024, and award-winning author Maggie Ginsberg in 2025. Details of this year's keynote speaker and presenters will be announced in early spring.
Downtown Janesville businesses interested in partnering with a local author and/or hosting an event in conjunction with Book Fest 2026 are encouraged to contact Downtown Janesville, Inc.
The HPL Book Fest 2026 committee is currently accepting writing workshop proposals and applications to host a table at our Local Author Book Fair. Authors from all backgrounds, including traditionally published, self-published, and authors from underrepresented communities, are encouraged to submit a proposal and/or application using the links below.
HPL Book Fest 2026 is sponsored in part by the Friends of Hedberg Public Library. Watch our website for Book Fest 2026 updates.
Writing Workshops - Deadline: February 13
The committee is looking for craft-focused sessions that will appeal to a broad section of writers such as crafting voice, creating character, editing, plotting your book, research skills, and other "how-to" sessions. Sessions will be held on the afternoon of Friday, June 19 and the morning of Saturday, June 20.
Local Author Book Fair - Deadline: February 13
If you are interested in participating in the Local Author Book Fair (scheduled for 8 a.m-1 p.m. on Saturday, June 27) or a Downtown Janesville author event the week of June 22-26, please complete this application.