2025 Nebraska Celebration of Books
The 2025 Nebraska Celebration of Books will take place on November 15 on the second floor of the UNL Union and Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center. Free and open to the public!
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 2025 Nebraska Book Awards
will honor authors and publishers of books with a Nebraska connection
published in 2024.
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 21st year of the One Book One Nebraska program. The announcement of the 2026 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 |
Nebraska Book Awards |
Larksong Writers Place |
One Book One Nebraska |
Program Schedule
Updated as of October 27, 2025, the schedule of programing is open to change.
FRIDAY,
NOVEMBER 14TH - TRIVIA NIGHT - White Elm Brewing (720 Van Dorn Street)
SATURDAY,
NOVEMBER 15TH - 2025 EVENTS & FEATURED AUTHORS - University of Nebraska Union & Jackie Gaughn Multicultural Center (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. - 3:00pm - Vendor Market – Multicultural Center - Unity Room
-- Booksellers, publishers, authors, nonprofits, and commercial vendors will be selling their goods or giving out information all day at the festival.
10:00 a.m. - Nebraska Book Award Author Roundtable - Multicultural Center - Ubuntu Room
-- A selection of authors and illustrators who received a 2025 Nebraska Book Award will be discussing their winning books and answering questions.
Featured authors: Non-Fiction and Poetry Winners -- Gail Shaffer Blankenau, Kim Hachiya, Colby Coash, Bob Ross, and Judy Brackett Crowe.
11:00 a.m. - Nebraska Book Award Author Roundtable - Multicultural Center - Ubuntu Room
-- A selection of authors and illustrators who received a 2025 Nebraska Book Award will be discussing their winning books and answering questions.
Featured authors: Fiction, Children & Teen, and Cover/Design/Illustration Winners -- DD Davenport, Kailee Pedersen, Mylisa Larsen, Alison Pearce Stevens,
Drew Davies, and Quentin Fortney.
Noon - 3:00 p.m. - Writing Workshop - Heritage Suite --
Generative Writing Workshop and Community Poetry facilitated and sponsored by Larksong Writers Place.
Noon - 1:00 p.m. - Quiet Book Club – Multicultural Center - Mandala Lounge --
Bring your own book, or buy a new one, and come read in the company of strangers for a quiet book club at the festival.
All readers welcome.
1:00 p.m. - One Book One Nebraska Author Talk – Multicultural Center - Ubuntu Room --
Nebraska author Tosca Lee will give a presentation on her 2025 OBON book selection “The Long March Home” co-written with Marcus Brotherton.
2:00 p.m. - In Conversation with Matt Mason & Jewel Rodgers – Swanson Auditorium -- Join us for a cozy chat between the former and current Nebraska State
Poets Matt Mason and Jewel Rodgers as they discuss their roles and experiences as state poets,
poetry in Nebraska, personal favorite poets/poems, and more.
3:15 p.m. - Awards Open House - Heritage Suite --
Prior to the awards presentations, this event will feature author signings and books available for purchase for the Nebraska Book Award winners. Refreshments provided by the University of Nebraska Press.
4:00 p.m. - Awards Presentations and OBON Announcement - Swanson Auditorium --
2025 Nebraska Book Awards presentations, each author may speak up to 5 minutes as they receive their 2025 awards.
Jane Geske and Mildred Bennett Award presentations and the announcement of the 2026 One Book One Nebraska Selection will close the evening
Host Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors
