Welcome to the Southeast Wisconsin
Festival of Books
Southeast Wisconsin Festival of Books
Returns
November 6 and 7, 2026
The Southeast Wisconsin Festival of Books announces the return of their annual event, November 6 and 7, 2026, with our partners: Carroll University and the Waukesha County Community Foundation.
“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 an author to be announced at a later date
- 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
The Southeast Wisconsin Festival of Books is free and open to the public
Held Annually at Carroll University in Waukesha
Parking is free in designated campus lots
Join us for our annual festival in
This is your spot to find in-person and virtual author appearances presented by independent bookstores in Southeast Wisconsin Sonja’s List Named in Honor of Sonja J. Maas- This is your spot to find in-person and virtual author appearances presented by independent bookstores in Southeast Wisconsin Sonja’s List Named in Honor of Sonja J. Maas
Read more about the authors and exhibitors who participated in the 2023 Don Taylor Writers Marketplace.