The Central Wisconsin Book Festival began in 2017 as an initiative of the Marathon County Public Library in Wausau, WI and takes place annually around the last weekend of September. The festival remains under MCPL’s umbrella and is organized by about a dozen community volunteers. In 2021, our festival expanded to include the participation of the Portage County Public Library in Stevens Point, WI and McMillan Memorial Library in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. Our three libraries remain annual partners for this festival and you’ll find events in a variety of places in each city!
The goal of the festival is to provide book lovers in central Wisconsin and beyond with a chance to hear and meet a multitude of authors – some they know, some they don’t – over the course of several days. In addition to fostering a connection between author and audience, our festival gives people in our communities a chance to build their own connections through their mutual passion for literature in its many forms and genres. Past events include traditional author readings and Q&As, panel discussions, workshops, live storytelling events and more.
Our festival is almost entirely grant funded (see our “Supporters” page), and all events are always free to attend!
The 2024 festival organizers are: Sonja Ackerman, Julie Bunczak, Chad Dally, Eddie Glade, Jane Janke Johnson, Colin McGinnis, Rob Mentzer, Cheryl Posner, and Jill Stukenberg. Additional help from Ben Krombholz, Robyn Vargas, and Stephanie Martell at the Marathon County Public Library.
For more information, please email cwbf@mcpl.us or call 715-261-7235. Follow this link to sign up for email updates and give us some input about future festivals.
Or, connect with us on social media:
The Central Wisconsin Book Festival is happy to welcome back author Andrew Graff to discuss his new novel, "True North."
The Central Wisconsin Book Festival is excited to partner with the Center for Visual Arts in Wausau on receptions for two new exhibitions this fall!
The Central Wisconsin Book Festival welcomes one of our state's own talented writers, Hannah Morrissey, to the Portage County Public Library in Stevens Point for her first CWBF event!
The Central Wisconsin Book Festival welcomes author Gregory Lee Renz back to the McMillan Memorial Library in Wisconsin Rapids to discuss his second novel, "Beyond the Flames."
The Central Wisconsin Book Festival welcomes cartoonist and illustrator Duachaka Her to the Marathon County Public Library for a conversation about her work!
Stop by anytime between 10am and noon at the Portage County Public Library in Stevens Point during the Central Wisconsin Book Festival to meet with 10 authors from around Wisconsin!
Harness the power of storytelling in your own life during this Central Wisconsin Book Festival event with author Dr. Carrie Jarosinski at the McMillan Memorial Library in Wisconsin Rapids.
The Central Wisconsin Book Festival welcomes Wisconsin author Holly Wilson to the Marathon County Public Library in Wausau to discuss her debut novel, Kittentits.
Join us in Stevens Point during the Central Wisconsin Book Festival for an event with celebrated children's author Darcy Miller!
The McMillan Memorial Library in Wisconsin Rapids welcomes author Robert Walker to discuss his debut novel during the 2024 Central Wisconsin Book Festival!
The Central Wisconsin Book Festival welcomes author Lori M. Lee back to Wausau to discuss her newest books, including "Pahua and the Dragon's Secret," which will be published in September 2024!
The Central Wisconsin Book Festival welcomes author Susan Apps-Bodilly to the Portage County Public Library in Stevens Point to talk about food and gardening for the whole family!
The Central Wisconsin Book Festival welcomes Minneapolis-based author Lindsay Starck to the McMillan Memorial Library in Wisconsin Rapids to discuss her newest novel!
The Central Wisconsin Book Festival is happy to welcome back Wisconsin author B.J. Hollars to discuss his new book about John F. Kennedy and the 1960 presidential primary election in Wisconsin.
Internationally bestselling author David Wroblewski will hold his first book event in the Badger State in 14 years during the Central Wisconsin Book Festival to discuss his new novel "Familiaris"!
