19 Years of Bringing Books to the Twin Cities Community
Rain Taxi launched the Twin Cities Book Festival in 2001 as a way to support authors and engage citizens in an exchange of ideas. While writing and reading are usually solitary activities, a Book Festival is a way to celebrate writing in community and acknowledge the social value of this art form. Pursuant to our mission to call attention to the abundance and diversity of contemporary literature, we wanted to create an event that would bring pride to the Twin Cities as a reading capital.
Fact #1
Minneapolis and Saint Paul consistently rank in the top ten literate cities for over a decade.
Fact #2
Over 150 exhibitors fill the book fair floor in the Progress Center building of the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.
Fact #3
Over 6,000 people attend the TCBF every year!
Fact #4
The TCBF features family friendly programming, from storytelling and activities for younger children to tween and teen readings.
Fact #5
The TCBF puts the spotlight on great local and world-famous authors!
Fact #6
In 2020, the Twin Cities Book Festival will be 20 years old.
History of the Festival
Rain Taxi's Twin Cities Book Festival, the largest one-day book gathering in the region, features hundreds of exhibitors, dozens of presenting authors from near and far, special children’s and youth programming, and endless curiosities for all ages—all in a massive celebration of our vibrant Minnesota literary culture.
See our past Festivals here.
Book Bash!
Our 18th annual Twin Cities Book Festival kicked off with a Friday night Book Bash at the Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Saint Paul, where we welcomed visiting authors and celebrated with music, food, drinks, and door prizes—everyone had too much fun anticipating the coming together of book lovers throughout the state!
Local Author Morning Mingle
On Saturday October 13, 2018, the Festival started with a bang as over two dozen local authors gathered for a Morning Mingle, sponsored by MSR Design—poets, novelists, essayists and more met with Festival attendees and signed books. Participating authors were: Maureen Aitken, Gretchen Anthony, Archie Bongiovanni and Tristan Jimerson, Scott Carlson, Blue Delliquanti, Mary Moore Easter, Heid Erdrich, Sally Franson, Pete Hautman, David Housewright, Chris Mackenzie Jones, Kathleen Ann Kenney, Jennifer Kwon Dobbs, Channy Leaneagh, Gordon Marino, Mindy Mejia, David Mura, Gary Eldon Peter, Wang Ping, Julie Schumacher, Kaethe Schwehn, Sarah Bamford Seidelmann, Quinton Skinner, Gregory Blake Smith, Madelon Sprengnether, Sarah Stonich, Saymoukda Vongsay, and Ahmed Ismail Yusuf.
Exhibit and Book Fair
Over the course of the day, thousands thronged the exhibit hall to peruse the over 140 publishers, literary organizations, magazines, authors, and more who presented great books, author signings, giveaways, deals, and fun all day long. The hourly Festival raffle awarded over a dozen winners with prizes, and with its great prices, Rain Taxi’s Used Book and Record Bonanza sent hundreds of treasure hunters home with bargains galore!
Poetry Bus
The Festival welcomed the return of Gus the Poetry Bus, parked outside between the buildings. On the bus, attendees could participate in activities, including a songwriting workshop with Brian Laidlaw, poetry divination with Heid E. Erdrich, a writing workshop and discussion of race with David Mura, an exploration of hate mail with Steve Almond, a rural-themed hour with Cassie Williams, Saara Myrene Raappana, and Ashley Hanson, and spontaneous typewriter poems with St. Cloud writer Bill Meissner.
Featured Author Readings in the Fine Arts Building
Attendees to readings at the Fine Arts building were treated to a moving installation by Green Card Voices, along with great presentations by stellar authors. Programming included a reading and conversation with poet Katelynn Hibbard, winner of the Howling Bird Press Prize for her collection Simples. Publicist Claire McKinney discussed ways authors can promote their books. Performance artist and author Karen Finley presented Grabbing Pussy, her psycho-sexual interpretation of our strange times. Kenyan author and giant of world literature Ngugi wa Thiong’o discussed his prison memoir, Wrestling with the Devil. Musician David Grubbs waxed poetic with his prose-poem paean to music, Now that the audience has assembled. The ever-charming Geoff Dyer discussed his illuminating book on photographer Garry Winogrand with Windham-Campbell Literature program director Michael Kelleher. English professor Ralph Savarese expanded our minds and hearts with a literary look at the complex minds of autists. Steve Almond grappled with the last few years by writing Bad Stories: What the Hell Just Happened to Our Country, discussing his book with MPR’s Stephanie Curtis. Local hip hop star Dessawowed the audience with excerpts from her new collection of essays, My Own Devices. And the day wound up with a literary tribute to Bob Dylan, featuring readings by Marge Barrett, Ray Gonzalez, Diane Jarvenpa, Linda Back McKay, William Meissner, Tim Nolan, Dave Pichaske, John Reinhard, Joyce Sutphen, Katrina Vandenberg, and Connie Wanek, and featuring music by Debra Marquart, comments by New Rivers Press book designer Phuriwat Chirapasit, and an introduction by Visiting Bob editors Thom Tammaro and Alan Davis.
Youth Programming
The Children’s Pavilion entertained young children and their parents with activities and storybook readings. Elizabeth Verdick gave a hint of the snowfall to come with Small Walt and Mo the Tow, complete with amazing hand-made trucks. Jean Reagan taught the kids How to Scare a Ghost, followed by Markús Már Efraím who led a short workshop on how to write a scary story. Daniel Bernstrom wowed the crowd with his funny reading of his romp through the swamp book Gator, Gator, Gator! Kayla Harren read from her book, Hannah’s Tall Order. And Curator of the Children’s Literature Research Collections Lisa Von Drasek helped kids create Writing Boxes!
The Young Readers stage offered two panels of middle grade authors, starting off with Gennifer Choldenko (Al Capone Throws Me a Curve), Sheila O’Connor (Until Tomorrow, Mr. Marsworth), and Erin Soderberg (Daring Dreamers Club), who shared their books and the friendships that inspired them. Then Melissa Savage (The Truth About Martians), Jeff Seymour (Nadya Skylung and the Cloudship Rescue), and Liesl Shurtliff (Grump: The (Fairly) True Tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves) celebrated the imagination with UFOs, flying pirate ships, and fairy tale characters.
On the Teen Stage, fans of YA were treated to four presentations. S.A. Bodeen (The Tomb), Maggie Ann Martin (To Be Honest), and Jessica Pennington (Love Songs and Other Lies) shared the ins and outs of love and relationships. Shannon Gibney (Dream Country), Tiffany Jackson (Monday’s Not Coming), and Kiersten White (The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein) drew large crowds as they discussed their complex and daring stories. YA favorite David Levithan presented the sequel to his popular Every Day, with Someday. And father and son team Neal and Jarrod Shusterman discussed their soon-to-be-a-motion-picture Dry, exploring the dire circumstances that ensue when the water runs out in California.
OPENING NIGHT EVENTS
Rain Taxi’s Opening Night Reception attracted many booklovers, authors, and exhibitors to celebrate the 17th Twin Cities Book Festival. Many attendees had their pictures taken in front of the Twin Cities Book Festival photo wall! The evening segued through a stirring protest song performed by poet Brian Laidlaw to a serious talk on inequality in the anthology America with Tales of Two Americas edited by John Freeman and contributors Claire Vaye Watkins and Lawrence Joseph.
LOCAL AUTHOR MORNING MINGLE
The 17th Annual Twin Cities Book Festival, held on October 14, 2017, started with a bang as over two dozen local authors gathered for a Morning Mingle—poets, novelists, essayists and more met with Festival attendees and signed books. Participating authors were: Lesley Nneka Arimah, Todd Boss, Nickolas Butler, Shelley DeWees, Heid Erdrich, Al Franken, John Jodzio, Sammi Jones, James Kakalios, Keith Lesmeister, Matt Mauch, Alison McGhee, Kathleen Novak, Dudley Riggs, Russel Rathbun, R.T. Rybak, Gerry Schmitt, Julie Schumacher, Ashley Shelby, Quinton Skinner, Joyce Sutphen, Andrea Swensson, Amy Thielen, Wendy Webb, and Jack Zipes.
BOOK FAIR AND POETRY BUS
Over the course of the day, thousands thronged the exhibit hall to peruse the nearly 150 publishers, literary organizations, magazines, authors, and more who presented great books, author signings, giveaways, deals, and fun all day long. With its great prices, Rain Taxi’s Used Book and Record Bonanza sent hundreds of treasure hunters home with bargains galore!
This year, the Festival enjoyed the intimate setting of the Poetry Bus, parked outside between the building. Inside (if you were one of the lucky ones!) attendees could read and write poems throughout the day, guided by special guest authors. Brett Elizabeth Jenkins inspired dream poems; Brian Laidlaw urged people to write protest or gratitude songs; Paula Cisewski engaged with poetry Mad Libs; and Juan Felipe Herrera climbed aboard to a small, enthusiastic crowd to read poems and learn about the duties of the Poet Laureate.
FEATURED AUTHOR READINGS
Programming kicked off on the Rain Stage with a 40th anniversary celebration of Holy Cow! Press with publisher Jim Perlman presenting four of its authors, Gary Boelhower, Joan Henrik, Miriam Karmel, and Crystal Spring Gibbons. Next up was a lively conversation between U.S. Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera and Minnesota poet Ray Gonzalez, who won the 2017 Witter Bynner Fellowship. Alayne Hopkins from Minnesota Center for the Book introduced the poetic duo, and Rob Casper, head of the Poetry and Literature Center of the Library of Congress, moderated. At 12:30, the Rain Stage was packed to the gills and beyond when Senator Al Franken took the stage to discuss his new book, Al Franken Giant of the Senate with MPR’s Gary Eichten. Another humorous discussion took place next when Daniel Handler and Eric Lorberer paired up to discuss his naughty novel, All The Dirty Parts. The entertainment continued with two speculative fiction masters Charlie Jane Anders and Cory Doctorow presented their novels, both from Tor. And the day wound up with funny New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast, who provided a visual tour through her latest work, Going Into Town: A Love Letter to New York.
On the Taxi Stage, renowned book critic Donna Seaman introduced the audience to neglected women artists through pictures and her book Identity Unknown. And three authors joined forces to discuss travel writing from different perspectives. Geraldine DeRuiter (aka The Everywhereist) debuted her book intimate memoir, All Over The Place; Fulbright Scholar and activist Kenny Fries offered a journey of self-discovery in Japan with In The Province of the Gods; and local author Doug Mack provided political and historical context to his travel book The Not-Quite States of America. Former Minnesota poet Alex Lemon returned to the Twin Cities to present his memoir, Feverland, with vivid portraits of illness told with humor. And rounding up the Taxi stage performances was the ultra-dynamic and charismatic Yrsa Daley-Ward, who recited her poems from bone with directness and grace.
YOUTH PROGRAMMING
The Children’s Pavilion entertained young children from 10am to 3pm, with activities and storybook readings. Peter Pearson showed kids How to Eat an Airplane, accompanied by his banjo. Bao Phi read from his beautifully written and illustrated A Different Pond. And cartoonist Kickliy of Musnet fame gave a drawing workshop.
The Young Readers stage lifted off with two space-obsessed graphic novelists! Drew Brockington introduced his CatStronauts, while Chris Eliopoulos thrilled with his Cosmic Commandos. Nicole Helget and Janet Tashjian joined forces to present their new books The End of the Wild and Sticker Girl Rules the School, with a discussion of growing up, reading, and more. A Mini Midday Mingle with Minnesota Kidlit community drew over a dozen middle-grade authors: Steve Brezenoff, Rick Chrustowski, Abby Cooper, Erin Downing, Michael Hall, Sean Jensen, Mary Losure, Alison McGhee, Margi Preus, Laura Purdie Salas, Melissa Savage, and Kurtis Scaletta,
The Teen Stage continued the fun with YA authors S.K. Ali (Saints and Misfits) and Peter Bognanni (Things I’m Seeing Without You) who discussed the challenges and restraints teens face every day. Then M. C. Atwood (The Devils You Know), Malinda Lo (A Line in the Dark), and David Oppegaard (The Town Built on Sorrow) took the stage to discuss their page-turning thrillers. Finally, the day wrapped up with a fun Teen Author Party!
Opening Night Events
Rain Taxi’s Opening Night Party was heavily attended by booklovers, authors, and exhibitors to celebrate the 16th Twin Cities Book Festival. It segued nicely into a talk by author Kathryn Aalto, presenting her book The Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh to a packed audience!
Exhibit Hall and Morning Mingle in Progress Center
The 16th Annual Twin Cities Book Festival, held on October 15, 2016, started with a bang as over 30 local authors gathered for a Morning Mingle—poets, novelists, essayists and more met with Festival attendees and signed books. Participating authors were: Beth Blair, Richard Broderick, Carl Brookins, Frank Bures, Sharon Chmielarz, John Coy, Allen Eskens, Michael Fallon, Peter Geye, Rachel Gold, David Housewright, Dylan Hicks, Wing Young Huie, Marlon James, E. Eero Johnson , Linda & Kathryn Koutsky, Julie Kramer, Michelle Leon, Jess Lourey, Gretchen Marquette, Anna George Meek, Kirstin Cronn-Mills, Chris Monroe, Amy Munson, Kathleen Novak, Benjamin Percy, Lenny Russo, Charlie Quimby, Su Smallen, Faith Sullivan, Krista Tippett, and Connie Wanek.Over the course of the day, thousands thronged the exhibit hall to peruse the nearly 150 publishers, literary organizations, magazines, authors, and more who presented great books, author signings, giveaways, deals, and fun all day long. With its great prices, Rain Taxi’s Used Book and Record Bonanza sent hundreds of treasure hunters home with bargains galore! And plenty of attendees helped create a giant collage at the Collagathon!
Featured Author Readings in the Fine Arts Building
The Festival kicked off the morning with an exuberant group of Minnesota writers discussing why rural Midwestern Life is ridiculous at the Are We Making Fun of Us? panel and celebrating Stephanie Wilbur Ash’s book The Annie Year. Joining Stephanie were Jason Good, Geoff Herbach, John Jodzio, and Mary Mack. Afterwards, two stages fired up with terrific presentations. On the Rain Stage, poets Michael Waters, Janice N. Harrington, and Ray Gonzalez gathered to celebrate the 40th anniversary of BOA Editions. Comics great Eddie Campbell presented his art from Bacchus and other works. Comedian Phoebe Robinson read from her debut collection of essays You Can’t Touch My Hair. And literary legends Francine Prose and Charles Baxter discussed their new books with Rain Taxi editor Eric Lorberer.
On the Taxi Stage, Kevin Smokler and Kirby Gann discussed how their new books pay homage to a nostalgic past that may not live up to modern standards. Three international voices, Lidija Dimkovska, Derek Palacio, and Karan Mahajan, joined forces to discuss how the personal and political collide in their books. Two esteemed Canadian writers, poet Fred Wah and novelist André Alexis, read from their current publications. And poster king Mitch Putnam was joined by local artists Wes Winship, Mike Davis, and Dan Black to discuss his over-sized deluxe OMG Posters: A Decade of Rock Art, moderated by The Current’s own Mary Lucia.
Youth Programming
The Children’s Pavilion entertained young children from 10am to 3pm, with music, activities, and storybook readings. Stephen and Trisha Speed Shaskan rocked the room with music and readings from their co-created book Punk Skunks. Kare11’s Belinda Jensen taught children about the wonders of weather. Illustrators Philip C. Stead and Erin E. Stead joined author Michelle Cuevas to present The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles.
On the Young Readers and Teen stage, three Minnesota authors, Abby Cooper, Brian Farrey, and Kelly Barnhill, presented their amazing works of magical worlds. Then rock star authors Stuart Gibbs, Sarah Mlynowski, and M.A. Larson took the stage to present their best-selling books. And Minnesota Book Award winner Shannon Gibney led an energetic conversation with A. S. King, Kathleen Glasgow, and Lara Avery, about the thought-provoking themes of their recent works.
Read Pioneer Press's Mary Anne Grossmann's take on the 2016 Festival HERE!
Opening Night Events
Rain Taxi kicked off this year’s Festival with a Grand Opening Party featuring good eats and a sneak preview of our pop up Edward S. Curtis photograph exhibition in the Fine Arts Building. Following the party was a spectacular reading by Moroccan novelist and critic Laila Lalami!
Exhibit Hall in Progress Center
The 15h Annual Twin Cities Book Festival, held on October 17, 2015, attracted 6500 attendees. The cold weather didn’t deter the biking enthusiasts who participated in the BikeMN-sponsored Bikeworm ride from downtown Minneapolis to the Progress Center. Over the course of the day, thousands thronged the exhibit hall to peruse the nearly 150 publishers, literary organizations, magazines, authors, and more who presented great books, author signings, giveaways, deals, and fun all day long. With its great prices, Rain Taxi’s Used Book and Record Bonanza sent hundreds of treasure hunters home with bargains galore!
Featured Author Readings in the Fine Arts Building
Rain Taxi returned to two reading stages in the Fine Arts Building to accommodate the amazing roster of local and visiting authors. The Rain Stage featured short story powerhouse Joy Williams, memoirist and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, graphic novelist Craig Thompson, nonfiction author Susan Cheever, and two panels: "Novels of the Midwest" with Lin Enger, Lauren Fox, and Faith Sullivan, and “The Character of a Cop" with Matt Burgess, Allen Eskens, and Sheyna Galyan.
The Taxi Stage featured a special presentation by photographer Edward S. Curtis expert Christopher Cardozo, novelist Jabari Asim, a session on the New New Poetry with Brian Henry, Jennifer L. Knox, and Rachel Moritz, British novelist Rupert Thomson, novelists Joe Meno and Nina Revoyr, and experimental poet Christian Bök. Books and author signings for Featured Events were hosted by Magers & Quinn Booksellers.
Author Hub
The Author Hub offered a full day of local and visiting author appearances who had new books to show off and discuss with readers. Participating authors included an all-day wood-working woodshop with carpentry expert and author Spike Carlsen; nonfiction authors Holly Day, Tom Weber, Ryan Berg, Jason Good, Josh Leventhal, and Norman Draper; pie experts Jerry Bechard and Cindee Borton-Parker of the Norske Nook; former Duluth mayor Don Ness; novelists Katie Pierson, Ava Finch, Nicole Helget, Ellen Hart, Erin Hart, Eleanor Arnason, and Pamela Carter Joern; and graphic novelist Anders Nilsen. Books and author signings for the Author Hub were hosted by Common Good Books.
Children’s Pavilion—co-sponsored by MELSA
In the Children’s Pavilion, MELSA kept the kids hopping and happy with continuous fun from 10am to 3pm, featuring a Tiny Tots Obstacle Course, face painting, and music by Glen Everhart’s Heebie Jeebies. Special author appearances included storytelling with authors Mike Curato, Mike Wohnoutka, Stephanie Watson, Tran Thi Minh Phuoc, John Coy, and Book-O-Beards authors Lemke & Lentz, plus a Royal Storytime with Pretty Princess Parties.
Middle Grade Headquarters / Teen Tent
Red Balloon upped the ante this year with another amazing roster of middle grade and YA authors. In the Middle Grade Headquarters, Cecil Castellucci and Daniel Wallace presented their Star Wars themed books along with costumed folks from the Garrison 501st Legion, an international Star Wars costuming organization. Australian bestseller John Flanagan presented a new book in his Ranger’s Apprentice series, and the “Middle Grade Adventures: Not for the Faint of Heart” panel featured Jacqueline West, Lynne Jonell, D.J. MacHale, John Parke Davis, and Carrie Ryan. In the Teen Tent, Carrie Ryan returned with Derek E. Sullivan and Nicola Yoon to discuss the topic “Can You Keep A Secret?” Rebecca Hahn, Tom Isbell, E.K. Johnston, and Julie Kagawa convened to discuss their panel topic “Fraught with Peril: Surviving a YA World.” The day wrapped up with a Teen Author Party and Book Signing with all authors celebrating the day! Co-sponsored by Red Balloon Bookshop
Hours & Location
Saturday, October 12th, 2019
Minnesota State Fairgrounds
Progress Center and Fine Arts Building
1265 Snelling Ave N
St Paul, MN 55108