By Yvonne Fletcher
An exciting time of year is fast approaching for the literary community: Chippewa Valley Book Festival week! Now in its 27th year celebrating literature, the Book Fest continues to bring renowned authors from across the country to the Chippewa Valley. The vast majority of these events are completely free, so access to these artists and their wisdom is available to everyone regardless of background or financial means. Some are even available virtually to make them more accessible.
I recently met with Sara Meeks, marketing chair of the Chippewa Valley Book Festival, to talk about the upcoming events and the behind-the-scenes work that went into this week-long experience. Bringing this unique fun into our own backyard is a huge undertaking that many, many people pour effort, energy and thought into.
The organization is mostly volunteers coming together to share what they have read and who they feel would provide the best experience for those who take part. Donations from the community provide these opportunities so the event planners take very seriously and work hard to ensure that it is enjoyed by all. The focus is on balance, ensuring every genre is represented, and on diversity in both topic and author experience so there is something to appeal to all ages and backgrounds.
“What always excites me most about the book festival is the wide range of events for all readers of all genres. This year is no different,” said CV Writers Guild director B.J. Hollars. “Whether you enjoy children’s books or adult fiction or non-fiction or poetry, there’s something for everyone.”
It’s impossible to choose from the many lovely options that are provided for us. As a folklorist who also loves fiction, poetry, and children’s literature, I’ve listed my top picks below. Have a look! Then definitely check out all of the events here to make your own list! Maybe I will see you there!
Writing in Your Own Backyard: Local Columnists on Writing the Chippewa Valley
Brought to us, in part, by the Chippewa Valley Writer’s Guild—with CVBF support and sponsorship by the Honorable Thomas and Jill Barland—this event was apparently on everyone’s list because it was the first to sell out. Though we just received word that a few spots were just added! The Sawdust Stories columnists of the Leader-Telegram have come together to talk about finding inspiration close to home and working through the craft of sharing those stories. I enjoy finding the forgotten stories that built the spaces we share now and preserving them while respecting those who have gone before. I especially love the evolution of folklore as it changes from homegrown history into legend, so I am excited to find out new things about familiar places here.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026, from 6pm to 7:30pm in the Riverfront Hall of the Pablo Center at the Confluence.
Poetry and Conversation
Michael Torres, author of An Incomplete List of Names, will be discussing the ways poetry can be created from the experiences that shape us. Max Garland, former Wisconsin Poet Laureate, will be joining the discussion about how to bring memories to life in a way that resonates. Centered on Torres’s award-winning collection of poetry, this event will also be this year’s Nadine St. Louis Memorial Poetry Conversation, which is an annual poetry program honoring the memory of poet, UWEC professor, and early founder of the Chippewa Valley Book Festival. The idea of holding onto all of the messy, meaningful bits of life that make us human and molding them into something beautiful is what makes this workshop so exciting. This exploration is sure to be a wonderful experience, and there is still room to sign up here!
Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 7:30pm to 8:30pm in the Riverview room of the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library.
What is True in Fiction?
Rita Woods, author of The Edge of Yesterday, will be talking with us about the seeds of ideas that become a story and the truth that is found at the heart of all stories, no matter what genre. I am excited to understand the seeds that turned into her finished books and to have the chance to explore some of my own beginning truths to see what potential they have. This conversation is sure to be interesting, so register here to join us!
Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 1pm to 2pm in the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library Riverview Room.
The Mysterious Ordinary
The magic of turning the commonplace into mystery will be explored with Rebecca Kauffman as we discuss her latest award-winning novel, The Reservation. I am working on a mystery as well, so my reasons for wanting to hear what she has to say are obvious, but I am sure this conversation will be enlightening from many different angles. Sign up here to explore your own ordinary mysteries!
Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 2:30pm to 3:30pm in the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library Riverview Room.
Playing With Books
Sara explained to me that she tries to read as many of the books from the festival as possible, which is so understandable because they all look amazing! Since Sara and I are both moms, Matt Forbeck’s workshop stood out to us! Using his latest book, Minecraft: Roll for Adventure we will explore how video games and books can merge for play that will appeal to the kids who love Minecraft and the parents who are worried about too much screentime and all of the ages in between. I love choose-your-own-adventure books and role-playing games (this one comes with dice!) and Sara's boys already tested it to be sure it’s fun! No registration is required for this event or for the two Minecraft parties,so there are lots of chances to come out and play!
Playing with Books is in the Riverview Room in the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library on Friday, October 23, 2026, from 4:30pm to 5:30pm.
The L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library is hosting a Minecraft Pre-Party with hands-on crafts and activities for children from kindergarten age to twelfth grade and their families on Monday, October 19 from 1pm to 3pm.
There’s also another chance to party Minecraft-style at the Chippewa Falls Public Library for children from ages ten to eighteen and their families on Tuesday, October 20 from 3:30pm to 5:30pm.
Sara shared that the most rewarding part of this work for her is “the challenge of picking up readings I would not have thought to look at otherwise and understanding someone else’s perspective through the books and the authors.”
Our whole community gets to benefit from the writers sharing their gifts and hopefully everyone will walk out of whatever they choose to attend a little bit inspired to follow their own passion projects in their own ways.
For someone who hasn’t attended before, Sara recommends looking through the website and remember, you do not need to purchase or even read the books to enjoy the discussion! There are so many amazing options to choose from. Your list may look completely different from mine!
“For over 20 years the Chippewa Valley Book Festival has been a staple in our community,” said Hollars. “Of all the book festivals across the state, this is one of the best.” You definitely don't want to miss it!
Walk-ins are welcome if space allows, but it is a gamble as events do fill up. Click here to register for the tapestry of literary adventures! (If your plans change, there is a link to cancel included in the confirmation email so that others have the opportunity to attend.) You do not have to read the book in order to fully enjoy the event! So come out, try something new, and maybe find a new favorite!