2019 Nebraska Book Festival
More details about presenters are forthcoming. Keep up with the Festival on Facebook at Nebraska Book Festival Event page.
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Philosophy
The festival is held to celebrate Nebraska’s literary heritage and contemporary authors and to stimulate public interest in books, reading, and the written word. By gathering together contemporary writing talent of our state and surrounding areas, the festival provides an opportunity for participants to cultivate an understanding of our history, culture and community.

Meet the Authors
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Nicole Baart | Kwame Dawes | Ted Genoways |
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Tosca Lee | Kassandra Montag | Kimberly Stuart |
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Carson Vaughan |
Program Schedule
Updated as of
July 11, 2019, the schedule of programing is open to change.
FRIDAY,
SEPTEMBER 6TH - BOOKWALK - Zipline Brewing Co. (2100 Magnum Circle)
TBD - Show your completed bookmark to receive happy hour pricing (beer or rootbeer), stay for a casual trivia contest, peruse the new Zipline Pub. Library, and enter to win more book-related prizes!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH - 2019 FEATURED AUTHORS - UNL CITY CAMPUS UNION
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH - NEBRASKA CHILDREN'S BOOK PARTY - EISELEY BRANCH LIBRARY
11:00 a.m.- Noon - Kassandra Montag -- Novelist, poet, and essayist Kassandra Montag will be in conversation with Tessa Terry about her debut novel, After the Flood. The interview will cover the inspiration behind the book, her writing process, books and films that influenced her, and the process of her novel being optioned for a television series. A reading and Q & A will follow the interview.
1:00-2:30 p.m. - Tosca Lee, Kimberly Stewart, & Nicole Baart - The Traveling Pens -- Traveling Pens Nicole Baart, Tosca Lee and Kimberly Stuart are authors, speakers, businesswomen, and dear friends. They are also proud to be Midwest girls, through and through. With over thirty years of combined publishing experience in multiple genres, they are passionate about both the craft and business of writing. They are also passionate about the power of joining forces within a difficult industry. The authors will share their experiences in writing, publishing, and connecting with readers.
3:00-4:00 p.m. - Kwame Dawes -- Poet, essayist, editor and novelist Kwame Dawes will read from his most recent work and discuss themes and ideas that are recurring in his most recent works of prose and poetry.
4:30-6:00 p.m. - Carson Vaughan & Ted Genoways -- Following the 2016 presidential election, national media refocused—however briefly—on middle America. Freelance journalists Ted Genoways and Carson Vaughan, both writing from and about Nebraska and the Great Plains long before the national narrative recalibrated, analyze their latest works to discuss the opportunities and challenges of reporting from the middle with Pat Leach.
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Featured speaker: Award-winning children's book author, Janice Harrington.
She will present "Storytelling!" at 10:30 a.m. and "Writing!" at 11:30 a.m.
Throughout the event there will be hands-on activities for ages K-3 including Book Bingo, book sales and treats
History
The 2018 Nebraska Book Festival marked the 25th annual book festival dating back to 1991. Historically, the Nebraska Book Festival has offered high-quality speakers, presenters, moderators, and workshop facilitators.
The Nebraska Book Festival (formerly the Nebraska Literature Festival 1991-2001) has been co-sponsored by the Nebraska Center for the Book and the Humanities Nebraska (formerly Nebraska Humanities Council) since its inception in 1991. The Nebraska Library Commission and many other organizations and individuals have contributed to the festivals over the years.
The change of name from Nebraska Literature Festival to Nebraska Book Festival broadens the scope of the event to include contemporary Nebraska writers and books, as well as the great classic writers of Nebraska’s literary heritage. The festival is dedicated to Nebraska writers and Nebraska books. It celebrates the reading and writing life of the Great Plains.
Festivals
Click on a year for event details, photos, festival programs, and more.
- 2018 August 25, UNL City Campus Union, Lincoln
- 2017 July 15, Union Plaza, Lincoln
- 2016 No festival held in this year
- 2015 April 25, UNO Community Engagement Center, Omaha
- 2014 April 25-26, UNO Thompson Alumni Center, Omaha
- 2013 April 5-6, UNO Thompson Alumni Center, Omaha
- 2012 March 31, Downtown Lincoln
- 2011 May 21, Downtown Lincoln
- 2010 No festival held in this year
- 2009 November 14, Downtown Lincoln
- 2008 October 17-18, Downtown Lincoln
- 2007 October 26-28, Downtown Lincoln
- 2006 October 6-7, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln
- 2005 October 7-8, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln
- 2004 September 17-18, University of Nebraska at Kearney
- 2003 October 24-25, Creighton University, Omaha
- 2002 September 13-14, Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer, Grand Island
- 2001 September 21-22, Peru State College, Peru
- 2000 September 15-17, Beatrice & Lincoln
- 1999 September 17-18, Chadron State College, Chadron
- 1998 September 17-19, Wayne State College, Wayne
- 1997 No festival was held in this year
- 1996 September 20-21, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- 1995 September 22-23, University of Nebraska at Kearney
- 1994 September 22-24, University of Nebraska at Omaha
- 1993 September 17-18, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- 1992 September 25-26, University of Nebraska at Kearney
- 1991 September 28, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Related Links
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National Book Festival — Washington, DC
Sponsors
MEDIA PARTNERSHIPS | SUPPORTING SPONSOR | KEY SPONSOR |
Lincoln Journal Star KFOR 10/11 |
Nebraska Center for the Book Nebraska Library Commission University of Nebraska Press Lincoln City Libraries Pixel Bakery + Kate Fielder |
Friends of the University of Nebraska Press Union Bank |
Keep up with the Festival at https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaBookFestival.