2024 Nebraska Celebration of Books
Free and open to the public!
More details about presenters are forthcoming.
This year's Book Awards Celebration will be a combined event with the
Nebraska Book Festival, called "The Nebraska Celebration of Books"
which aims to celebrate Nebraska’s literary heritage and contemporary authors. The
event will feature several
Nebraska authors, and presentation of the Nebraska Center for the Book's Nebraska Book
Awards, Mildred Bennett Award and Jane Geske Award.
The 2024 Nebraska Book Awards
will honor authors and publishers of books with a Nebraska connection
published in 2023.
The Jane Geske Award
will be presented to honor an organization that exemplifies exceptional contributions to literacy, books,
reading, libraries, or literature in Nebraska. The annual Jane Geske Award
commemorates Geske's passion for books, and was established in
recognition of her contributions to the well-being of the libraries of
Nebraska. Jane Pope Geske was a founding member of the Nebraska Center
for the Book, former director of the Nebraska Library Commission, and
a long-time leader in Nebraska library and literary activities.
The
Mildred Bennett Award recognizes an individual
who made significant contributions to the fostering of the literary
tradition in Nebraska. This annual award reminds us all of the
literary and intellectual traditions that enrich our lives and mold
our world.
This year marks the 20th year of the One Book One Nebraska program. We will be celebrating with an panel disscussion of several OBON authors and a memoir writing workshop facilitated by Larksong Writers Group to honor this year's book selection, Dancing with the Octopus: A Memoir of a Crime by Debora Harding. The announcement of the 2025 One Book One Nebraska book choice will conclude the festivities.
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 Presenters & Authors
Events & Programs
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| White Elm Brewing Trivia Night |
Zero Street Fiction | 20 Years of OBON |
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| SLAM Poetry Showcase | Memoir Writing Workshop | Nebraska Book Awards |
Program Schedule
Updated as of September 16, 2024, the schedule of programing is open to change.
FRIDAY,
OCTOBER 11TH - TRIVIA NIGHT - White Elm Brewing (720 Van Dorn Street)
SATURDAY,
OCTOBER 12TH - 2024 EVENTS & FEATURED AUTHORS - University of Nebraska Union (1400 R Street) - All sessions 45 minutes
5:30 p.m. - Trivia Night -- Join us at White Elm Brewing for a pre-festival event featuring Nebraska book and literary trivia and $4 pints for trivia participants.
10:00 a.m. - 20 Years of One Book One Nebraska Author Panel - Regency Suite A
-- Books, Banter, and Breakfast Bites: Past One Book One Nebraska authors share their experiences and
thoughts on the One Book One Nebraska program. Discussion will focus on
the program's impact on the author's writing journey, the significance
of community reading initiatives, and the role of literature in
fostering dialogue and understanding.
Featuring authors: Karen Shoemaker, James J. Kimble, Joe Starita,
and Mary
K. Stillwell
11:00 a.m. - Zero Street Author Panel - Regency Suite A --
Zero Street is committed to LGBTQ+ literary fiction with commercial potential, providing marginalized authors opportunities for a wide readership in the trade
fiction market. Join for discussion with series editor Timothy Schaffert, bestselling author of The Perfume Thief, and collection author DeMisty D. Bellinger,
author of All Daughters Are Awesome Everywhere: Stories. The series seeks LGBTQ+ literary fiction of all kinds, from stories of modern life to innovations
on traditions of genre and are particularly interested in BIPOC authors, trans authors, and queer authors over 50.
Noon - Memoir Writing Workshop - Heritage Suite --
So You Want to Write a Memoir A Memoir: Writing Workshop facilitated by Nebraska Author and Poet Lucy Adkins, and sponsored by Larksong Writers Place.
We all have a story or two to tell, and whether you’re interested in capturing a few of the most memorable or writing a full length memoir, this workshop
will help get you started. Together, we’ll discuss the various features of memoir, consider what the memoir wants, and using the generative process,
we will write. Plan to uncover some new ideas and go home with the beginnings of stories you can develop for your own memoir.
1:00 p.m. - SLAM Poetry - Swanson Auditorium --
Facilitated by the Nebraska Writers Collective (NWC), this SLAM Poetry showcase performance will feature Nebraska Writer Collective poets Sam Lee,
Joanna Calel, Riley Westerholt, and Bianca Swift.
2:00 p.m. - Nebraska Book Award Author Roundtable - Regency Suite A --
Authors who received a 2024 Nebraska Book Award will be discussing their winning books and answering questions.
(May run longer than 45 minutes)
Featuring authors: Allison L. Bitz, Carla Ketner, Jacob K. Friefeld, Dana Fritz, Jennifer D. James, Julie S. Paschold, Romeo Oriogun, and Carolina Hotchandani
3:30 p.m. - Nebraska Book Awards Presentations and OBON Announcement - Swanson Auditorium --
Each author may speak up to 5 minutes as they recieve their 2024 awards.
5:00 p.m. - Reception - Heritage Suite --
Immediately following the awards presentations, will feature author signings and books available for purchase. Refreshments provided by the
University of Nebraska Press.
Host Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors
