Join us for a special showing of the documentary film, American Symphony, which chronicles 2021 presenter, Suleika Jaouad’s courageous battle with leukemia alongside her husband, Jon Batiste’s, illustrious musical journey. It is a moving portrayal of love, support, and the healing power of creativity.

Literary Director Katie Boeckl walks attendees through highlights of the entire weekend program.

Despite the title, this cookbook isn’t just for the dads out there! While divided into categories based on prep time and the mood of your little sous chef, David Nayfeld’s recipes are soul-satisfying and share the ritual of cooking and eating across generations. Enjoy a menu from Dad, What’s for Dinner? alongside a conversation with David about what led to the creation of his cookbook, his approaches to personal and professional cooking, and his tips for making meals fun, satisfying, and adventurous.

Presenter: David Nayfeld

Moderator: Maureen Abood

Beginning at 11:45, authors are introduced at 15-minute intervals to read selections from their featured works. This is a come-and-go session, where attendees may simply sit and listen or enjoy their lunch.

Presenters:
Nikki Erlick (11:45)
Shelby Van Pelt (12:00)
Eowyn Ivey (12:15)
Allegra Goodman (12:30)
Adam Roberts (12:45)
Alafair Burke (1:00)
Scott Anderson (1:15)

Introductions: Trina Hayes

Writers are some of the most astute observers of people, situations, and the world around us. In order to record, create, and meditate on, they must possess an arsenal of impressions and thoughts to which the average reader can relate. Nothing is off limits—from travel to meals, animals to people, love to death, and everything in between. By keeping their minds and expectations open to possibility, our presenters harness their varied crafts to share in the wonder and strangeness of watching the world unfold, and help us all to find some commonality.

Presenters: Eileen Myles, Matthew Rohrer, Lili Taylor

Moderator: Peter Markus

A trademark of any great novel lies in its revelations and the timing of those revelations. Readers want to be surprised—caught by the unreliable narrator, the secret from the past that rears its head, or the fantastical element that can influence events. They want to feel the tension of that twist right around the corner and then be glad that they guessed wrong! The setup need not be complex . . . but then come the questions. And just like that, nothing is as it seems, and readers are in for a wild ride!

Presenters: Alafair Burke, Gregg Hurwitz, Maggie Stiefvater (adult)

Moderator: Kent Case

Whether we think of them as fluid in a current conflict or irretrievable in the past, borders define the geography of our world while simultaneously creating a division in our minds. While some borders are created by the planet, many are manmade and may exist on a highly personal level in the psyche of an individual or group. What are the limits of these boundaries? Their objectives? How do they frame beliefs and events? How does relocation echo through generations? Our presenters have examined these lines and connected them to home. 

Presenters: Michelle Adams, Priyanka Mattoo, Rebecca Nagle

Moderator: Kim Block

The hinterlands of our world are vast and majestic and unapologetic. They are also, aptly, wild. In both the historical and contemporary landscapes of our presenters’ featured titles, the earth is untamed. It provides just as capriciously as it turns merciless. Characters and narrators are transformed by the hand that Mother Nature has dealt them. They learn to sacrifice and survive; be curious and respectful, out of fear and awe. They depart, changed from how they first arrived, and, in doing so, leave the world altered as well.

Presenters: Allegra Goodman, Eowyn Ivey, M. Bartley Seigel

Moderator: Lillian Li

Genres of literature are defined, in part, by similarities in style and form. Memoir tends toward authenticity of emotion by focusing on a particular time period or central question in one’s life. It is intimate and illuminating. Bildungsroman highlights the fraught period from adolescence into adulthood, when protagonists contend with what is expected of them versus who they find themselves to be. And while poetry is too expansive to encompass in a few words, it displays an aesthetic of language and imagery that is impossible to overlook. The richness of these genres shines as our presenters make the personal universal. 

Using Genre for Reflection

Presenters: Rich Benjamin, Kyle Edwards, Eileen Myles

Moderator: Julie Buntin

Most can agree when a sad book is sad or a scary book is scary. A funny book? Well, that’s a whole other story. Humor is subjective, and one person’s funny is another person’s uncomfortable. Finding humor and then maintaining that tone and situation to elicit a chuckle from just about anyone—that, my friends, is a rare talent. Our presenters, however, have perfected the juggling act of keeping their wit sophisticated enough for discerning readers, yet plausible enough to be relatable. Add the elements together, and they equal utter delight on the page!

Presenters: Kira Jane Buxton, John Kenney, Adam Roberts

Moderator: Lauren Hearit

No country was spared some effect of the Second World War, when even a declaration of neutrality did little to prevent the violation of that status (especially where oil was involved). Iran was occupied by both British and Russian forces, causing famine and economic hardship. From here, historians can chart a timeline to the eventual abdication of the throne, the exile, the revolution, and today. Possessing different objectives and diverging storytelling styles and narratives, our presenters offer revelatory and fascinating points of view on a history too often lost to the Western world. 

Presenters: Scott Anderson, Daniel Nayeri

Moderator: Chris Fitzgerald

This year, we warmly welcome special guest Jenna Bush Hager and debut novelist, Ariel Sullivan, for an inspiring conversation about Jenna’s lifelong love of reading, her efforts to share that passion with her fans, and the launch of her publishing imprint, Thousand Voices. Ariel’s novel, Conform, is the first book to be published under this new imprint and comes as a gift with each ticket purchase. 

Presenters: Jenna Bush Hager, Ariel Sullivan

Introduction: Katie Boeckl

Kids have big hearts, bold ideas, and endless resiliency and ingenuity. They are also sometimes overlooked by adults, who assume they need to be coddled, protected, and uninformed. Through the eyes of a preteen girl, we learn to accept grief and to fight for the people and places we love. Inspired by the true story of Wolf 8, we follow an adolescent wolf’s journey to becoming a leader who is respected instead of feared. And while our hero may be from another planet, we cheer him on his quest to determine who he wants to be, against all odds.

Presenters: Allie Millington, Rosanne Parry, Rebecca Stead

Moderator: Lisa Blanchard & Bennett Chambers

Secrets can wield a great deal of power over a person, a group, or even an entire society. Some can be good, as sharing confidences can foster trust in a relationship. Others can be harmful, as whispers meant to isolate and ostracize. Rich and his mother both harbored painful silences from their childhoods. Nick’s character keeps the truth hidden to protect himself and the girl he loves. Joseph’s novel plumbs the covert world of espionage and corruption. Where all three works intersect, however, is at the crossroads of this country’s own dark secrets. 

Presenters: Rich Benjamin, Nick Brooks, Joseph Finder

Moderator: Kacey Riley

We all know that setting is a vital component of any story. Be it in fiction or nonfiction, the writer establishes the backdrop to help readers create a more realistic and encompassing visualization of a specific place and time. The environment influences not only the readers’ experience, but also the characters’ and narrators’. Where else but in sun-drenched central Italy might generations of villagers squabble over a gigantic fungus? And what better journey to becoming a writer than the one from the mountains of Kashmir to the classrooms of Ann Arbor to the cultural landscape of Los Angeles? Bon voyage!

Presenters: Kira Jane Buxton, Priyanka Mattoo

Moderator: Sarah R. Baughman

The planet offers much to those who listen. Jeff was pondering his identity when he chose a path that would redefine his relationship with Earth—from the worms that repurpose our waste to the bounty produced from only a few acres. Laura’s work uncovers the epochs of what Earth has seen, and guides what it may hold for our future. And Robin’s poems look to the natural world as a balm, allowing the reader to heal from being human. While loneliness is a theme, so are solace and awe. Lend an ear to this world that desires to be heard.

Presenters: Jeff Chu, Laura Poppick, Robin Walter

Moderator: Katherine Rapin

Readers both young and old will delight in hearing our acclaimed picture book author-illustrators present their latest stories aloud. Q&A and signing to follow all three readings.

Presenters: Matthew Diffee, Travis Jonker, Rebecca Lee Kunz

Introductions: Mike Frampus

Get moderately drunk and publish your own obituary. Marry the Russian girl and run for your life. Invite everyone to your castle and get yourself murdered. Some days just don’t go your way. Boy, is that an understatement for our protagonists! Big mistakes do, however, make for some pretty terrific novels. Writers and characters are forced to problem-solve, take risks, question everything they believe is true, and reveal their vulnerabilities. While these circumstances are beyond your average, everyday happenings, how humans respond to challenges are universal and invite us to find connections to these fictional beings.

Presenters: Joseph Finder, Andrea Hannah/Rebecca Mix, John Kenney

Moderator: Kristen Rapin

Readers both young and old will delight in hearing our acclaimed picture book author-illustrators present their latest stories aloud. Q&A and signing to follow all three readings.

Presenters: Brianne Farley, Nathan W. Pyle

Introductions: Mike Frampus

Worldbuilding is the creation of a fantasy or science fiction universe. It not only sets the backdrop for the plot, but it informs the very place in which the characters exist. In middle-grade literature, this idea transcends genre. Young readers desire a rich, detailed, and immersive setting. A visually stunning descent into the deepest reaches of the ocean. A trek across the mountains of a land suffering the hostilities of war. A portrait of our own planet as viewed by faraway visitors. Three very different foreign lands have been brought to life by the imaginations of our presenters.

Presenters: Michael Grover, Daniel Nayeri, Rebecca Stead

Moderator: Andrea Donahoe

Speculative fiction innately asks readers, What if? By incorporating elements that question reality and blur the lines of conventional narratives, this subgenre of fiction ceaselessly looks to the future, even as it may unfold in the past. What if a woman consumes memories at a price? What if a book is not written but is instead doing the writing? What if a snapshot could influence fate? What if the end of humanity is not the end of our planet? These two powerful and stunning novels display the full force of how fiction can change our brains and our hearts.

Presenters: Nnedi Okorafor, Karen Russell

Moderator: Kate McCune

One need only recall Julia Child’s amusing use of a blowtorch on set to know that food and media have long gone hand-in-hand. Food possesses such a visual component, making it a perfect partner to television, blog photography, and now, social media. We consume this content as voraciously as some of us empty a bag of potato chips, but we rarely stop to consider how these expectations have altered the landscape of food. Pair this with the high-stress culture stereotypical of the industry, and it’s a wonder our presenters even have time to eat! Join them in conversation. Bon appétit!

Presenters: David Nayfeld, Adam Roberts, Alix Traeger

Moderator: Maureen Abood

Beginning at 11:45, authors are introduced at 15-minute intervals to read selections from their featured works. This is a come-and-go session, where attendees may simply sit and listen or enjoy their lunch.

Presenters:
Maggie Stiefvater (11:45)
Gregg Hurwitz (12:00)
Candace Fleming (12:15)
Kyle Edwards (12:30)
Allie Millington (12:45)
Nick Brooks (1:00)
John Kenney (1:15)

Introductions: Trina Hayes

How does one craft writing that begins as jotted notes and follows no traditional story arc? How does one rearrange the bits and pieces? In this case, our presenters follow lines—not always straight. Priyanka traverses the globe, leaving a path of personal discovery that artfully blends memoir and travelogue. Laura studies strata, the geological layers of time that the earth has left behind, to tell the history of our planet and of us. And Matthew allows his lines to move on the page, guiding readers through the quotidian surprises of life by letting his ideas literally take shape.

Presenters: Priyanka Mattoo, Laura Poppick, Matthew Rohrer

Moderator: Anne Curzan

Let's make a 4-panel comic together! Join author/illustrator Jannie Ho for a hands-on, interactive program to nurture and develop the appreciation of comics and graphic novels. Jannie will discuss how her graphic novels (Pumpkin and Beetle, The Lost Mitten, Fry Guys) are created. She will also engage participants in a lively collaborative drawing game where everyone makes their very own 4-panel comic. Pencils and paper will be provided. Advanced registration required. Open to young readers and artists ages 6 to 12.

Presenter: Jannie Ho

Introduction: Mike Frampus

We all have times when we want a story to grab us right from the start. We want that hook to catch and lure us even further into the plot. Sometimes the hook begins with a word, a sentence, a paragraph, or a predicament. The writer sustains the momentum by answering some questions and raising others. Our presenters craft suspense with the intimation of a prank gone wrong; the mention of secrets buried and a madness in the air; or with a dated entry—something about darkness and captivity. And suddenly, the reader is invested. The hook is sunk.

Presenters: Alafair Burke, Kira Jane Buxton, Shelby Van Pelt

Moderator: Erinn Hartman

In this workshop, poet Robin Walter shares the happy and simple art of making zines—tiny, handmade books of creative self-expression. Participants will explore one to three simple non-coptic binding techniques that they can then take out into the world. Pen, paper, and scissors will be provided, but bring along a poem or prose piece you would like to copy into your zine (or write one on the spot!). Advanced registration required. Open to attendees age 16 and older.

Presenter: Robin Walter

Introduction: Rose Brickley

Retellings hold a significant place in literature and can be explored in a variety of ways. By reimagining L. Frank Baum’s poppy fields as a place sought by travelers, Nikki delivers an emotional tour de force. By shifting the landscape of Villeneuve’s Beauty and the Beast and emphasizing the bond between mother and child, Eowyn presents a new context for familiar events. And by adapting her bestselling novel of magic and legend and quest into a gorgeously illustrated form, Maggie introduces Blue and the Raven Boys to a brand new audience. These worlds are magical!

Presenters: Nikki Erlick, Eowyn Ivey, Maggie Stiefvater (YA)

Moderator: Bess Bleyaert

Stories connect us—they hold our memories, carry our truths, and invite us to see through one another’s eyes. Here in the homelands of the Waganakising Odawak, storytelling has long been a way to teach, remember, and connect—and it is in that spirit that we welcome you to hear from three Indigenous voices from across Turtle Island: Kyle Edwards, whose fiction reflects the realities of growing up Native and urban; Rebecca Lee Kunz, whose collages speak to joy and the struggle of keeping tradition; and Rebecca Nagle, who shares an urgent record of justice. Biindigek! (Come in!) Share in these stories.

Presenters: Kyle Edwards, Rebecca Lee Kunz, Rebecca Nagle

Moderator: Jordan Shananaquet

I’m sorry, did someone say villains! Yeeeessss! (Practicing my evil laugh as we speak.) Everyone loves the villain. Everyone loves to hate the villain. Everyone wishes they were a little more like the villain. How do writers do that? How do they make us care about—even envy—the evil-doers? The very best villains are the ones we understand. And not just understand their import to the plot—that’s obvious. There wouldn’t be a story without them. But rather, we come to understand why they are the way they are and why they do what they do. It’s (evil) genius, it is.

Presenters: Andrea Hannah/Rebecca Mix, Kennedy Tarrell

Moderator: Maggie Kane

Moving from taut introspection to expansive, wide-eyed wonder, the verses of these poets sing of the contradictions of the places and times and thoughts in which we live and have lived. Whether set in the harsh and desolate landscapes of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula or on the most congested and cacophonous of city sidewalks, the poems in these collections remind us of how we ended up here and hint at where we might be headed. Q&A and signing to follow both readings.

Presenters: Eileen Myles, M. Bartley Seigel

Introductions: Skip Renker

Sophisticated silliness in picture books can elevate a child’s enjoyment of the story—humor makes the words and images more engaging, while subconsciously enhancing a little one’s critical thinking skills with nuance and subtlety. For that matter, a funny picture book brings more enjoyment for the adult doing the reading, too. That’s a lot to ask of a book that typically hovers at 32 pages long! That’s a lot of pressure to put on those creators! Through innovative wordplay, situational misunderstandings, and, of course, cleverness in illustration, our presenters prove that picture books are timeless additions to any collection. 

Presenters: Matthew Diffee, Travis Jonker, Nathan W. Pyle

Moderator: Amanda Rziczneck

For some, the simple act of being outdoors is a spiritual experience. Those who have a respect and deep reverence for nature view it as a source of wisdom and healing and find purpose in the understanding that we are but single threads in the much larger web of life. In this way, the world is a sanctuary where people can commune with their personal interpretations of the divine. They gain appreciation for gestures of mindfulness, reciprocity, sustainability, and consideration. Writers take this one step further by giving voice to their own sacred relationships and inviting readers to join.

Presenters: Jeff Chu, M. Bartley Seigel, Lili Taylor

Moderator: Michelle Boyer

Striking a balance between playful curiosity of form and a meditative calm in tenor, the poems in these collections invite readers and listeners to find gratitude in all the world has to offer. Whether we find ourselves shattered by brutality or revelling in optimism, there is much to learn in the act of attending. As the poems dance across the pages, we cannot help but join in the choreography and be surprised by how familiar the steps are. Q&A and signing to follow both readings.

Presenters: Matthew Rohrer, Robin Walter

Introductions: Skip Renker

Cue the chromatic jazz. Uplight the menacing faces. We recognize the trademarks of movies that dabble in misdeeds, make deals in the shadows, and trade in secrets. Most books, however, don’t come with a soundtrack and special effects, so how do thriller writers create those same feelings of tension? One way is to force their protagonists into hiding. By putting a target on their backs and forcing them to question their loyalties, writers build a sense of foreboding while engendering an affinity between the reader and the characters that keeps us rooting for the good guys.

Presenters: Joseph Finder, Gregg Hurwitz 

Moderator: Wil Cwikiel

Stan Lee famously said, “A picture is worth a thousand words, but a comic is worth a million.” Anyone who grew up reading the funny pages recognizes how true this is. No other medium so deftly pairs text and images. No other medium visually guides readers across the page so that the action unfolds as intended. No other medium relies so heavily on its reader to fill in the blanks. Comics can be goofy or sincere, adventurous or imaginative, pensive or prophetic. What they never are is static. They create and reinvent and blow us away every time.

Presenters: Arree Chung, Michael Grover, Jannie Ho, Kennedy Tarrell

Moderator: Mark Crilley

Writers forever have the power to tell old stories with fresh interpretations. Undiscovered and reconsidered accounts, heightened attention to craft, and even the context of current events can alter their understanding and perception of history. While fiction and nonfiction offer differences in approach and execution, both are equally adept at breathing new life into the stories of our past and into how we consider them as readers. From the Age of Discovery to the Dust Bowl, our presenters illuminate their abilities to help us question what we think we know.

Presenters: Karen Russell, Hampton Sides

Moderator: Sam Krowchenko

Enjoy a beverage as you visit with presenters signing and personalizing their works. All presenters’ featured books, along with select backlist titles and additional merchandise, will be available for sale at the pop-up bookstore, presented by Between the Covers.

Presenters: Maureen Abood, Scott Anderson, Rich Benjamin,  Nick Brooks, Alafair Burke, Kira Jane Buxton, Nikki Erlick, Brianne Farley, Andrea Hannah, Eowyn Ivey, John Kenney, Rebecca Lee Kunz, Priyanka Mattoo, Allie Millington, Rebecca Mix, Eileen Myles, Rebecca Nagle, Daniel Nayeri, Laura Poppick, Nathan W. Pyle, Adam Roberts, Rebecca Stead

(Please note that Kyle Edwards, Allegra Goodman, Jenna Bush Hager & Ariel Sullivan will not be available for signing at this event.)

Enjoy a beverage as you visit with presenters signing and personalizing their works. All presenters’ featured books, along with select backlist titles and additional merchandise, will be available for sale at the pop-up bookstore, presented by Between the Covers.

Presenters: Michelle Adams, Jeff Chu, Arree Chung, Matthew Diffee, Joseph Finder, Candace Fleming, Michael Grover, Jannie Ho, Gregg Hurwitz, Travis Jonker, David Nayfeld, Nnedi Okorafor, Rosanne Parry, Matthew Rohrer, Karen Russell, M. Bartley Seigel, Hampton Sides, Maggie Stiefvater, Kennedy Tarrell, Lili Taylor, Alix Traeger, Shelby Van Pelt, Robin Walter

(Please note that Kyle Edwards, Allegra Goodman, Jenna Bush Hager & Ariel Sullivan will not be available for signing at this event.)

Lebanese cuisine is recognized and celebrated for its abundance of fresh, Mediterranean flavors, textures, and aromas—shared at the table among family and friends. Maureen’s Lebanese Baking includes recipes featured in our dinner menu, from pita bread and savory fatayer hand pies to the wonderful world of Lebanese pastry and cookies, served with Arabic coffee and tea. Discover Maureen’s inspirations, her creative process for this cookbook, the ways in which food can honor our ancestors, and so much more. Come hungry and ready to enjoy a feast that will satisfy on many levels!

Presenter: Maureen Abood

Moderator: Hollye Jacobs

Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was a leader who exuded stability, wealth, and military strength and was a formidable ally of the United States. In actuality, his people did not love him, and America was asleep at the wheel. Captain James Cook was a bold explorer who logged tens of thousands of nautical miles and provided lasting contributions to our index of scientific and geographic knowledge. However, the mounting forces of conquest, religious fervor, and disputes with his crew would prove his demise. In thrilling narratives, these figures from the past are both vilified and vindicated anew.

Presenters: Scott Anderson, Hampton Sides

Moderator: Craig Fehrman

A short and simple hop from point A to point B is nice for the characters, but it makes for a pretty lackluster plot. Give me instead an unlikely quartet crossing the country in search of a slumber that brings oblivion and healing. Or a young noblewoman left destitute and for dead on a feral island in the North Atlantic. Or a Giant Pacific octopus who believes he holds the key to a missing persons case and the heartbreak left in its wake. Not only do these journeys guide the featured novels, but they ultimately change the characters, too.

Presenters: Nikki Erlick, Allegra Goodman, Shelby Van Pelt

Moderator: Terry Gamble

Join Brianne Farley, author-illustrator of Worm Makes a Sandwich, in painting vibrant flowers and veggies from a new perspective. In this workshop, participants will practice layering wet and dry media to build texture and add movement and depth to their work. They will also discuss character development and how perspective impacts composition. Watercolor paper and colored pencils will be provided. Participants must bring their own set of paint brushes, white gouache, and a variety of gouache or watercolors (at minimum: red or magenta, yellow or ochre, blue, and brown). Advanced registration required. Open to attendees age 16 and older.

Presenter: Brianne Farley

Introduction: Rose Brickley

Hindsight allows us to catch a glimpse of the future’s potential. There is perhaps no one who understands this vantage better than the historian. By researching events that have come to pass and interviewing those who bore witness, these writers carry the task of chronicling what has been and foretelling what could be. What a blessing and a curse it must be to share truths that hold these implications, and to know that change relies on the actions of people who are so often resistant to just that. 

Presenters: Michelle Adams, Candace Fleming

Moderator: Max Boettger

Mix that! Mess that! Scratch that! Cooking has never been as lively, fun-loving, and empowering as when Alix Traeger is in the kitchen. Adding a joyful sass and spark to the process of creating recipes, Alix encourages home cooks to follow their intuition and taste buds and not be afraid to get it wrong once or twice. Enjoy a menu from Scratch That alongside a conversation with Alix that embodies the playfulness that is so often lost when we are simply working to get a meal on the table. 

Presenter: Alix Traeger

Moderator: Maureen Abood