Washburn to Host the Kansas Book Festival September 23-24
Washburn will host this year’s Kansas Book Festival. The winner of the 2022 Hefner Heitz Kansas Book Award, Michael Kleber-Diggs, will read from his book Worldly Things Friday, September 23, at 4 p.m. in Mabee Library. That presentation is the kick-off for the festival, which will continue on Saturday. All events are free and open to the public.
When: Friday, September 23 at 4:00 p.m. and Saturday, September 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Mabee Library on the Washburn University campus
Details: The Kansas Book Festival will include presentations by 60 authors, as well as outdoor performances, a book-art exhibit, food trucks, exhibitor tents with publishers from around Kansas, and a children’s activity area.
The headliner for the 2022 Kansas Book Festival is K.J. Dell’Antonia, author of a new novel In Her Boots plus The Chicken Sisters (NYTimes Bestseller and Reese Book Club Pick). In Her Boots is about the gap between the adults we think we have become, the child our mother will always see, and our horrible fear that mother is right.
Other prominent authors include Michael Kleber-Diggs (2022 Hefner Heitz Kansas Book Award Winner), who is a poet from the Twin Cities with a collection about the hazards and beauties of life as a Black man in contemporary America (Worldly Things), and Lucas Bessire, a writer, filmmaker, and anthropologist, whose new book Running Outdiscusses the depletion of the aquifer in Western Kansas.
In addition, there are popular books for kids, from critically acclaimed picture book author and illustrator Daniel Miyares, whose newest book Hope at Seatells the tale of a girl named Hope who stows away on a voyage across the sea. Author and illustrator Grant Snider will also join the festival with his new picture book One Boy Watching. In this lyrical tribute to long rides and curious minds, Snider celebrates the extraordinary found within the ordinary, pointing to a world of discovery that awaits those who watch and wonder.
Notable authors Jen Mann and Nancy McCabe will also be at the festival for their presentation “Life’s Hard: Laugh More.” The two humor writers will talk about the myriad irritations—and comedic opportunities—that go with living in contemporary America. Jen Mann, who is a New York Times bestselling author, will share from her newest book, Midlife Bites, a smart, personal, darkly funny examination of what it's like to be a woman at the crossroads of a midlife crisis. Nancy McCabe, author of Can This Marriage Be Saved?, will share from her warm, deeply-personal, and often humorous story of gaining new understanding about early life and an ill-advised marriage.
Every year, the Kansas Book Festival recognizes and honors the newest books by Kansans or about Kansas, including the 2022 Kansas Notable Books, selected by the Kansas State Library. These awards will be presented by the State Librarian, Ray Walling, and Dr. Ted Daughety, husband of Kansas Governor Laura Kelly.
Downloadable and Printable Program: KS Book Fest Program 2022
