readers & writers festival 2021

North Shore Readers and Writers Festival

The North Shore Readers and Writers Festival is a biennial event that locates, celebrates, and fosters the literary arts and engagement with the written word.

Join us for classes, panel discussions, special events, author readings and an exhibitors’ hall.

WELCOME CENTER HOURS | STUDIO 21 (21 W Hwy 61) | 

  • Wednesday, Nov 1 | 12 – 5:30 PM
  • Thursday, Nov 2 | 8 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Friday, Nov 3 | 8 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Saturday, Nov 4 | 8 AM – 5 PM

November 1 – 4, 2023

Registration for the 2023 Readers & Writers Festival opens Friday, July 14 for members and Friday, July 21 for everyone. You can become a member today by visiting our Support Page Here.

Sign up for our eNewsletter to receive up-to-date information about the Festival.

2023 EXHIBITORS’ HALL

A number of Minnesota book professionals and presses will be joining us again this year! The Exhibitors’ Hall will be open at the Art Colony’s Studio 21 (21 West Highway 61): 

Friday, November 3 & Saturday, November 4 | 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM 

Festival Sponsors Include

Best Western Plus, Superior Inn and Suites | Students receive 25% off their lodging stay.

Cook County Festival Partners Include

Generous funding for the North Shore Readers and Writers Festival comes from the Minnesota State Arts Board, Lloyd K Johnson Foundation, and Visit Cook County.

Schedule of Events

Week of Events

To view the calendar of events, please visit this page on a device with a larger screen – such as a laptop or desktop computer.

SEE WHAT OUR FULL 2019 FESTIVAL LOOKED LIKE…

2019 Festival Attendee

“It was an incredible experience. We met so many warm, down-to-earth people. The 2021 festival is already on our calendar.”

2019 Festival Attendee

“The North Shore Readers and Writers Festival is one of my favorite events in our area. It’s stimulating, fun, challenging and educational. My goodness—what avid reader or writer could pass that up?”

Presenting Authors at the 2019 Festival

  • Michael Bazzett
  • Beth Dooley
  • Julie L’Enfant
  • Leif Enger
  • Allen Eskens
  • Sally Franson
  • Shannon Gibney
  • Matt Goldman
  • Nicole Helget
  • Geoff Herbach
  • Lorna Landvik
  • Mary Moore Easter
  • David Mura
  • Sheila O’Connor
  • Matt Rasmussen
  • Marcie Rendon
  • Julie Schumacher
  • Faith Sullivan

Presenting Book Professionals

Ann Regan, Minnesota Historical Society Press
Chris Fischbach, Coffee House Press
Emily Hamilton, University of Minnesota Press
Rachel Moeller, University of Minnesota Press
Nayt Rundquist, New Rivers Press
Eric Lorberer, Rain Taxi
Katie Dublinski, Graywolf

Local North Shore Presenters

Hazel Belvo
Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux
Joan Crosby
Joan Drury
Lin Salisbury
Felicia Schneiderhan
Marie Zhuikov
Eric Chandler

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