Southeast Wisconsin Festival of Books

Southeast Wisconsin Festival of Books announces the return of their annual event, November 7 and 8, 2025, with two new partners: Carroll University and the Waukesha County Community Foundation. The closing of UWM-Waukesha by the UW Board of Regents on June 30 and the dissolving of the UWM-Waukesha Foundation required the Organizing Committee to replace its sponsoring institution and fiscal agent after 15 years. “We are happy to announce the continuation of the Festival with such distinguished partners, Carroll University, Wisconsin’s pioneer college, the educational pride of Waukesha, and the Waukesha County Community Foundation (WCCF), the leader in local philanthropy,” said Laraine O’Brien, one of the Festival’s founders, who was asked by the leadership of the UWM-Waukesha Foundation Board of Directors to figure out the future of the event. “It is a true honor for our university to serve as the host for the Southeast Wisconsin Festival of Books. We are proud to welcome authors, readers and lifelong learners to our campus for this meaningful celebration of storytelling, ideas and community. Events like this enrich our region and reflect our commitment to education, dialogue and the literary arts,” Carroll President Cindy Gnadinger said. “The enthusiasm of Carroll President Gnadinger and Professor Timothy Galow, English and Philosophy Department chairman and director of the Writing Program, carried the committee through several months of discussions with Carroll to this wonderful conclusion,” O’Brien added. WCCF President Melissa Baxter was a key player. “To continue as a free public event, we knew we needed to have a non-profit organization to assure our sponsors and donors of our tax-deductible status. Baxter explained to us how we could operate a project fund from WCCF,” O’Brien added. All donations to the Festival of Books are being received by WCCF at their website or their mailing address. The 16th annual Southeast Wisconsin Festival of Books will continue as a free public festival with: - A Friday Keynote featuring one of Wisconsin’s newest best-selling authors, Christina Clancy, Madison novelist - Over 50 authors in 20 panel discussions and presentations, talking about their books and autographing them - Writers Workshops from ALLWRITERS’ Workplace & Workshop of Waukesha for those pursuing their craft - Four writing contests for middle school students, high school students, college students and adults - The Don Taylor Writers’ Marketplace for self-published authors and local businesses and organizations - Book sales by Books & Company of Oconomowoc

Event Links

Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3322748-0

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