By Brandi Makuski
STEVENS POINT – The Central Wisconsin Book Festival is back this month, bringing authors from across the state and country to Stevens Point, Wausau, and Wisconsin Rapids for three days of events.
The ninth annual festival runs Sept. 25-27 and features nearly 20 sessions ranging from author talks and book signings to an open mic poetry reading. The Portage County Public Library’s Stevens Point branch, 1001 Main St., will host five of the programs.
“This is about celebrating the written word and giving readers a chance to connect with both familiar and new authors,” library representatives said in announcing the lineup.
Headliners include:
Jon Hickey, who will appear in Wausau to share insights from his debut novel, Big Chief, which draws on tribal politics and personal experiences.
Michael Perry, the well-known Wisconsin humorist and musician, who will speak in Wisconsin Rapids.
Rebecca Kanner, award-winning novelist, presenting her thriller The Last One Seen in Wausau.
Nickolas Butler, bestselling Wisconsin author, who will be in Stevens Point the evening of Sept. 26 to talk about his new novel, A Forty Year Kiss.
In Stevens Point, the library will also host novelist Allen Eskens, discussing The Quiet Librarian, and journalist James Card, introducing his nonfiction work Chainsaw Love. Both appearances will include book sales and signings.
The festival wraps up Sept. 27 with two community events at the library: a meet-and-greet author fair featuring 10 local writers in the morning, and an open mic poetry session in the afternoon.
All events are free, supported by local foundations, businesses, and nonprofits. A full schedule is available at www.mcpl.us/cwbf or by calling 715-261-7235.