celebrate the written word
TRANSCRIPT
CELEBRATE THE WRITTEN WORD!40+ AUTHORS IN 3 CITIES & ONLINE
SEPTEMBER 17–26, 2021
2021-9-8 | BBK/WA
WELCOME TO THE FIFTH-ANNUAL CENTRAL WISCONSIN BOOK FESTIVAL!
We’re so thankful that you’ve taken an interest in this festival, which we’ve spent the better part of a year in planning. For our fifth year, we’ve ambitiously put together our biggest festival ever, both for
the number of events and the geographic (and digital) spread of where our events will be held.
Past festivals were held around Wausau and, in 2020, completely virtually. This year, for the first time, the Marathon County Public Library is collaborating with the Portage County Public Library in Stevens Point and the McMillan Memorial Library in Wisconsin Rapids. With events in all three cities and virtually, we can say not only does our festival cover more of Central Wisconsin, but also has a potentially global reach with our virtual events.
With the opportunity to host events in all these different locations, we’ve aimed much higher on the number of events offered this year. Over the course of 10 days, we’ll host nearly 40 events! We hoped that after an all-virtual
festival in 2020, we’d be able to return to mostly in-person events. However, seeing as how we’re not out of the woods yet on the COVID front, half of this year’s events will be held virtually. We also aim to make our indoor
in-person events as safe as possible, so expect some safety precautions like distancing (which may affect seating capacity) and, depending on the location, masks will either be required or at least strongly recommended.
Stay up to date on all the event information, including links to join our virtual events, in the “Schedule” section of our website, www.mcpl.us/cwbf. Information is also available
in the events section of our Facebook page, facebook.com/cwbookfest.
SUPPORT FOR THE 2021 CENTRAL WISCONSIN BOOK FESTIVAL IS PROVIDED BY:The Community Arts Grant Program of the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, with funds provided by the Wisconsin Arts Board, a state agency; the Community Foundation; and the B. A. & Esther Greenheck Foundation.
Support also provided in part by the Ruder Ware Law Firm; the Marathon County Public Library Foundation; Wisconsin Humanities, with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities; Covantage Cares Foundation; the
Portage County Public Library Foundation; McMillan Memorial Library; the Friends of the Marathon County Public Library; Marathon County Historical Society; Whitewater Music Hall; and Janke Book Store.
2021 CENTRAL WISCONSIN BOOK FESTIVAL COMMITTEE:Julie Bunczak, Chad Dally, Eddie Glade, Danielle Hale, Jane Janke Johnson, Elizabeth Lutz, Colin McGinnis, Rob Mentzer,
Cheryl Posner, Sarah Rudolph and Jill Stukenberg. Additional help from Ben Krombholz and Dan Richter.
Thank you for joining us and for your support of the literary arts!Share any thoughts on social media and tag it #cwbf2021.
Also, we’d love to hear about your festival experience and ideas for future festivals, and we encourage you to send us an email at [email protected] or take a quick survey at www.mcpl.us/cwbf.
ONLINE: MCPL.US/CWBFMORE INFO: 715-261-7200
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
Draw-Along Workshop w/ Matthew Forsythe CHILDREN An interactive event of stories and drawing
with author and illustrator Matthew Forsythe!1–2 p.m. @ Zoom (Online) 🖳
“Raft of Stars” w/ Andrew Graff ADULTS A reading, Q&A and signing with Andrew
Graff and his new novel “Raft of Stars.”7–8:15 p.m. @ Marathon County Historical Society ❖
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
“Modern Jungles” w/ Pao Lor ADULTS Pao Lor shares his new memoir “Modern
Jungles” about his experience as a Hmong refugee.9–9:45 a.m. @ Portage County Public Library 🟂
11:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m. @ Zoom (Online) 🖳
“On the Go Awesome” w/ Lisl Detlefsen CHILDREN Detlefsen will share her books and talk about the ways books can help us with speech!
10–11 a.m. @ Robinson Park 🏶
“Let’s Begin w/ Wonder” w/ Jacqueline Briggs Martin CHILDREN Jacqueline will share a couple of her books, discuss
writing about the environment and ways we can spark wonder!10:30–11:30 a.m. @ Zoom (Online) 🖳
History of Wisconsin LGBTQ+ Activism TEENS Authors Jenny Kalvaitis and Kristen
Whitson will share Wisconsin’s LGBTQ+ activism history and research lessons for teens.12:45–1:45 p.m. @ Zoom (Online) 🖳
“To Know Her” w/ Mary Ann Noe ADULTS The Central Wisconsin Book Festival
welcomes Mary Ann Noe to Wisconsin Rapids for a reading and chat about her new novel!
1:30–2:30 p.m. @ Robinson Park 🏶
“All the Adams in the World” w/ Sheila Silver ADULTS & TEENS Sheila Silver will discuss her book about her 30-year journey raising a son on the autism spectrum.
2–3 p.m. @ MCPL Wausau ◉
“Bough Cutter” w/ Jeff Nania ADULTS Author Jeff Nania will discuss the newest book in
his Northern Lakes mystery series, “Bough Cutter.”3–4 p.m. @ Robinson Park 🏶
Memories of the War w/ Julitta Szczepanska ADULTS Szczepanska will share from her series
“Litka” about growing up in Poland at the start of WWII and immigrating to the United States.
4–4:45 p.m. @ Portage County Public Library 🟂
“The Weaver’s Revenge” w/ Kathleen Ernst ADULTS Ernst will read from and discuss “The Weaver’s Revenge,”
the newest novel in her Chloe Ellefson mystery series!4:30–5:30 p.m. @ Robinson Park 🏶
“Beneath the Flames” w/ Gregory Renz ADULTS Retired firefighter and novelist Gregory Renz
will discuss his debut novel “Beneath the Flames.”7–8 p.m. @ Robinson Park 🏶
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
“Correctional” w/ Ravi Shankar ADULTS Shankar will discuss his new memoir
“Correctional” that deals with the U.S. criminal justice system and mental health policies.
1–2 p.m. @ Zoom (Online) 🖳
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
Writing Workshop w/ Dasha Kelly Hamilton ADULTS & TEENS Hamilton, Wisconsin’s Poet Laureate,
will lead a writing workshop focused on poetry and finding and expressing your truth.1:30–2:30 p.m. @ Zoom (Online) 🖳
From Page to Stage and Screen ADULTS & TEENS Playwright Suzanne Bradbeer and Writer
and Actor Jarrod Crooks will discuss writing for stage and screen and getting work produced.
3:30–4:45 p.m. @ MCPL Wausau ◉
Book Talks w/ Kate Allen & Anika Fajardo KIDS & TEENS Allen and Fajardo will talk about creating their
middle-grade novels and about writing in general!5-5:45 p.m. @ Zoom (Online) 🖳
Wisconsin Poet Laureate Dasha Kelly Hamilton ADULTS Hamilton, Wisconsin’s poetry ambassador, will read her work, discuss writing and the role of
a laureate and take audience questions.7–8:30 p.m. @ Portage County Public Library 🟂
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
Talking Writing w/ Two Poets Laureate ADULTS WI Poet Laureate Dasha Kelly Hamilton and
Wausau’s inaugural Poet Laureate Dawn Anderson will discuss writing, share poems and take questions.
7–8 p.m. @ Whitewater Music Hall ♬
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
Interactive Story Time w/ Baptiste & Miranda Paul CHILDREN Authors Baptiste Paul & Miranda Paul will share stories, including their newest book
“Peace,” during this fun, interactive event!10–11 a.m. @ Portage County Public Library 🟂
The Power of Stories w/ Deborah Ellis ALL AGES Deborah Ellis will discuss her newest book “The
Greats” and talk about the power of storytelling.5–5:45 p.m. @ Zoom (Online) 🖳
“Hope Is the Thing” Group Reading ADULTS Five writers will share their pieces from a new collection
of Wisconsin writers on persevering through the pandemic.7–8 p.m. @ Zoom (Online) 🖳
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
“Lady of the Seven Suns” w/ Tinney Heath ADULTS Author Tinney Heath will discuss her historical
fiction novels during this in-person event.10–11 a.m. @ Zoom (Online) 🖳
Virtual Panel on Writing for Children ADULTS & TEENS Seven writers and illustrators of
children’s books will join us virtually to talk about their crafts and also take audience questions.
1–2 p.m. @ Zoom (Online) 🖳
“In the Village” w/ Travis Brown ADULTS Wausau poet Travis Brown will share poems from his
new book “In the Village That is Not Burning Down.”6–6:45 p.m. @ Whitewater Music Hall ♬
“Why Bushwick Bill Matters” w/ Charles Hughes ADULTS Wausau native Charles Hughes returns to
the CWBF to discuss his new book about pioneering rapper Bushwick Bill. Mature audiences.
7:30–8:30 p.m. @ Whitewater Music Hall ♬
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Book Talk with Steve Jenkins & Robin Page CHILDREN Authors and illustrators Steve Jenkins and Robin Page will share stories and discuss writing about animals!
10–11 a.m. @ Zoom (Online) 🖳
Cornerstone Press Author Panel ADULTS Four writers who all published books via
Cornerstone Press will talk about their work and experiences working with Cornerstone.
10–11 a.m. @ Zoom (Online) 🖳
“Astrid & Apollo” Series with V. T. Bidania CHILDREN Children’s author V. T. Bidania will talk about the creation of her popular “Astrid and Apollo” series.
11–11:45 a.m. @ Zoom (Online) 🖳
Wisconsin Author Book Fair ALL AGES DROP IN Meet writers of all stripes from across Wisconsin during this meet-and-greet,
and each will read a little bit of their work.11 a.m.–2 p.m. @ Whitewater Music Hall ♬
“Nothing to Lose” w/ Kim Suhr ADULTS Writer Kim Suhr will join us to discuss her
newest book “Nothing to Lose” and take audience questions during this in-person event.
1–2 p.m. @ Portage County Public Library 🟂
“From Boxing Ring to Boardroom” w/ Héctor Colón ADULTS & TEENS Boxing champion and director of one of the Midwest’s largest non-profit organizations,
Colón shares his story and keys to success!2–3 p.m. @ Zoom (Online) 🖳
“Shadow Tracker” w/ Jonathan Barnett ADULTS Author Jonathan Barnett will discuss his
fantasy novel “Shadow Tracker” and writing.3–4 p.m. @ Portage County Public Library 🟂
Discussion & Drawing with Gillian Goerz TEENS Gillian Goerz will discuss her middle-grade graphic novels and lead the audience through a drawing activity!
4–5 p.m. @ Zoom (Online) 🖳
“The Streel” w/ Mary Logue ADULTS Author Logue will discuss her newest book “The Streel,”
which is the start of a new Deadwood Mystery series.5–6 p.m. @ Portage County Public Library 🟂
An Evening w/ Taylor Jenkins Reid ADULTS REGISTRATION Bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid will
join us virtually to discuss her newest novel “Malibu Rising” and take audience questions! Register to attend at mcpl.us/cwbf.
7–8 p.m. @ Zoom (Online) 🖳
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
Wizard of Oz and Baum’s “Fairy Cinema” ADULTS Cary Elza, UWSP associate professor of media studies, will discuss film adaptations of L.
Frank Baum’s classic “The Wizard of Oz.”10–11 a.m. @ Zoom (Online) 🖳
“Frank Meade” w/ Chris Gerboth ADULTS Wausau author Chris Gerboth will join us
virtually to discuss his 2021 novel “Frank Meade.”1–2 p.m. @ Zoom (Online) 🖳
LOCATIONS
◉ MCPL Wausau / Marathon Co. Public Library: 300 N. First St., Wausau, WI🟂 Portage County Public Library: 1001 Main St., Stevens Point, WI🏶 Robinson Park: 1941 Apricot St., Wisconsin Rapids, WI❖ Marathon County Historical Society: 410 McIndoe St., Wausau, WI♬ Whitewater Music Hall: 130 First St., Wausau, WI🖳 Zoom (Online): Visit www.mcpl.us/cwbf and select an event for instructions.
CENTRAL WISCONSIN BOOK FESTIVAL
2021 S C H E D U L E
ALL EVENTS ARE FREE!
• No registration required except the 9/25 event w/ Taylor Jenkins Reid.
• Please observe COVID-19 safety guidelines issued by the CDC and local government while attending events in person.
• For assistance connecting to Zoom, please contact your local library well in advance of the event you wish to attend virtually.
• Authors interested in next year’s festival may email [email protected].
ANDREW GRAFF DASHA KELLY HAMILTONTAYLOR JENKINS REID KATHLEEN ERNST