Twin Cities Book Festival

ST. PAUL (Aug. 11, 2015) — Scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, the Twin Cities Book Festival — sponsored by the local literary organization Rain Taxi — is the annual get-together for the Twin Cities’ devoted book community.

This FREE, day-long festival presents internationally renowned visiting authors, local literary heroes, activities for kids, and a giant book fair which offers both a snapshot of the publishing scene and great deals on books new and used.

“We want people to connect over real live books and authors,” explains Festival Director Eric Lorberer, who also edits Rain Taxi Review of Books, a nationally distributed quarterly celebrating its 20th year of publication. “Our Festival allows anyone who shares an interest in books—readers and writers and publishers and advocates of all kinds—to inhabit one big room for a day.”

With both the Progress Center and the Fine Arts Center at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds used for Festival activities, that’s actually two big rooms. The space will be needed, as organizers are working diligently to create great programming.

As usual, the Festival will welcome many authors from outside Minnesota to engage and enchant our local audience. Confirmed guests include writers from Canada, England, Slovenia, and from all corners of the United States.

See HERE for a first glimpse at our special guests.

As pioneered last year, in addition to the action-packed Children’s Pavilion, sponsored by Metro Public Libraries, the Festival will have exciting activities in the “Middle Grade Headquarters” and “Teen Tent” sponsored by Red Balloon Bookshop. Both areas will feature powerhouse authors from near and far and other activities for their respective age groups. And as always, the Festival will be filled with Minnesota and regional authors presenting their work through panels, signings, exhibits, activities, and special events.  Organizers will announce these authors, as well as scheduling and other details, in the coming weeks — stay tuned.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.