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OCTOBER 11-12, 2025

JOIN US AT THE

​

JOIN US!

The Wasatch Festival of Books at Library Square will take place on Saturday, October 11 and Sunday, October 12. All events are at the Salt Lake City Public Library’s Main Library in downtown Salt Lake City.

 

Bringing together a variety of acclaimed authors, readings, and interactive public events, this two-day event is a community celebration of the power of reading—for all ages, and in all its forms. (And yes, for people who love genre stories, graphic novels, and audiobooks, this is your festival too!) All events are free and open to the public. 

​

October is National Book Month!

​

Each year, the Utah Humanities Book Festival brings a wide array of literary events to urban centers and rural communities across the state. As part of this month-long celebration, the Wasatch Festival of Books at Library Square serves as a flagship event for the residents of Utah, Salt Lake, and Davis counties.​

  • TRIVIA | Banned Book Trivia Hour with SLCPL Librarians Valeria & Julie
    TRIVIA | Banned Book Trivia Hour with SLCPL Librarians Valeria & Julie
    Sun, Oct 12
    SLCPL Main, L4 Conference Room
    Oct 12, 2025, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
    SLCPL Main, L4 Conference Room, 210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, USA
    Come celebrate your freedom to read, show off your knowledge, and learn with others at our Banned Book Trivia Hour! Assemble a team (or fly solo) and join us for this Banned Book-themed quiz featuring questions covering book bans in pop culture, literature, history, and more! 
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  • WRITING WORKSHOP | A Youth Writing Workshop for Aspiring Storytellers (1)
    WRITING WORKSHOP | A Youth Writing Workshop for Aspiring Storytellers (1)
    Sun, Oct 12
    SLCPL Main, 4th Floor CWC Room
    Oct 12, 2025, 1:15 PM – 2:30 PM
    SLCPL Main, 4th Floor CWC Room, 210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, USA
    Join us as we brainstorm ways to craft unforgettable worlds and learn ways to move beyond stereotypes to create compelling, authentic, and relatable characters. Free!
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  • WRITING WORKSHOP | How to Get Your Book Published: Publishing 101 with Kirsten Allen and Will Neville-Rehbehn
    WRITING WORKSHOP | How to Get Your Book Published: Publishing 101 with Kirsten Allen and Will Neville-Rehbehn
    Sun, Oct 12
    SLCPL Main, 4th Floor Conference Room A
    Oct 12, 2025, 1:10 PM – 2:30 PM
    SLCPL Main, 4th Floor Conference Room A, 210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, USA
    Join Torrey House Press co-executive directors for an inside look at the publishing process—plus expert tips to help bring your story to life!
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  • WRITING WORKSHOP | A Youth Writing Workshop for Aspiring Storytellers
    WRITING WORKSHOP | A Youth Writing Workshop for Aspiring Storytellers
    Sun, Oct 12
    SLCPL Main, 4th Floor CWC Room
    Oct 12, 2025, 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM
    SLCPL Main, 4th Floor CWC Room, 210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, USA
    Join us as we brainstorm ways to craft unforgettable worlds and learn ways to move beyond stereotypes to create compelling, authentic, and relatable characters. Free!
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  • WRITING WORKSHOP | Writing Utah Landscapes, Writing Place: Kase Johnstun & Karin Anderson
    WRITING WORKSHOP | Writing Utah Landscapes, Writing Place: Kase Johnstun & Karin Anderson
    Sun, Oct 12
    SLCPL Main, Conference Room A
    Oct 12, 2025, 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM
    SLCPL Main, Conference Room A, 210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, USA
    Join these two accomplished writers in an exciting workshop on writing Utah landscapes!
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  • EVENING KEYNOTE | Beyond the Glittering World — A Celebration of Indigenous Writers and Writing
    EVENING KEYNOTE | Beyond the Glittering World — A Celebration of Indigenous Writers and Writing
    Sat, Oct 11
    SLCPL Main, Auditorium
    Oct 11, 2025, 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM
    SLCPL Main, Auditorium, 210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, USA
    From adventures in Indigenous futurism to tales of first love, the stories and poems of Beyond the Glittering World proclaim and celebrate a rising generation of Native American storytellers. Join us as we close out the festival with Stacie Denetsosie, Darcie Little Badger, and Amber McCrary.
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  • AUTHOR TALK | The Power of Poetry — Paisley Rekdal, Samyak Shertok, and Kieron Walquist
    AUTHOR TALK | The Power of Poetry — Paisley Rekdal, Samyak Shertok, and Kieron Walquist
    Sat, Oct 11
    SLCPL Main, Conference Room A
    Oct 11, 2025, 4:45 PM – 5:30 PM
    SLCPL Main, Conference Room A, 210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, USA
    Why is poetry so powerful and necessary today? Why should we look at words and ask, “What power do these phrases hold?” Three award-winning poets sit down and answer these questions, and any other questions that arise!
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  • AUTHOR TALK |  Rebecca Lafferty and Katie McNey — The Lafferty Girl
    AUTHOR TALK |  Rebecca Lafferty and Katie McNey — The Lafferty Girl
    Sat, Oct 11
    SLCPL Main, Level 4 Conference Room
    Oct 11, 2025, 4:45 PM – 5:30 PM
    SLCPL Main, Level 4 Conference Room, 210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, USA
    Rebecca Lafferty grew up with a volatile, erratic, and ultimately notorious father, Dan Lafferty who was convicted in 1984 of murdering his sister-in-law and her baby. Rebecca and Katie McNey discuss their book, The Lafferty Girl: Surviving Trauma, Abuse, and My Father's Crimes.
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  • AUTHOR TALK | Love Out of Bounds — Victoria Redel
    AUTHOR TALK | Love Out of Bounds — Victoria Redel
    Sat, Oct 11
    SLCPL Main, Level 4 Conference Room
    Oct 11, 2025, 3:45 PM – 4:30 PM
    SLCPL Main, Level 4 Conference Room, 210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, USA
    Two love stories, one set in Regency London, one in Golden Age Amsterdam, explore the social mores and expectations of their times. At the heart of each, is what happens when you fall in love with the person society deems inappropriate. Join us for a panel on Gilded Age romance!
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  • AUTHOR TALK |  Investigating the Outdoors — Julie Jag, Trent Nelson, and James Workman. Moderated by Kirsten Allen
    AUTHOR TALK |  Investigating the Outdoors — Julie Jag, Trent Nelson, and James Workman. Moderated by Kirsten Allen
    Sat, Oct 11
    SLCPL Main, Conference Room C
    Oct 11, 2025, 3:45 PM – 4:30 PM
    SLCPL Main, Conference Room C, 210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, USA
    Join these top-notch journalists and investigative nonfiction writers as they share the hows, whats, and whys of covering the natural world.
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  • AUTHOR TALK | Magic, Myth & Love: Talking Romantasy with LJ Andrews and Palak Jayswal
    AUTHOR TALK | Magic, Myth & Love: Talking Romantasy with LJ Andrews and Palak Jayswal
    Sat, Oct 11
    SLCPL Main, Conference Room A
    Oct 11, 2025, 2:45 PM – 3:30 PM
    SLCPL Main, Conference Room A, 210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, USA
    Known for her darkly enchanting worlds and unforgettable romantic heroes, Andrews has captured readers’ hearts across many romantasy novels. Come hear about her writing journey, the allure of her love interests, and the magic that inspires her stories—all from an author who calls Utah home.
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  • AUTHOR TALK | Creative Inspiration — Chris Carlson, Robin Patten, Morgan Sjogren, and Brooke Williams
    AUTHOR TALK | Creative Inspiration — Chris Carlson, Robin Patten, Morgan Sjogren, and Brooke Williams
    Sat, Oct 11
    SLCPL Main, Conference Room C
    Oct 11, 2025, 2:45 PM – 3:30 PM
    SLCPL Main, Conference Room C, 210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, USA
    Who needs a muse when you have the natural world? A panel of celebrated authors comes together to discuss how the natural world sparks creative inspiration. Join as they explore how nature informs their storytelling and evokes emotion.
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  • AUTHOR TALK | Religion and Identity — Father James Alison Moderated by Noah Baskett
    AUTHOR TALK | Religion and Identity — Father James Alison Moderated by Noah Baskett
    Sat, Oct 11
    SLCPL Main, Level 4 Conference Room
    Oct 11, 2025, 2:45 PM – 3:30 PM
    SLCPL Main, Level 4 Conference Room, 210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, USA
    James Alison is a Catholic priest, theologian, and author. For thirty years he has publicly pursued the thesis that basic Christianity flows organically into openness towards LGBTQ+ life and has developed pastoral encouragement to LGBTQ+ believers seeking to live truthful lives all over the world.
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  • AUTHOR TALK | Speculative Fiction — Bryan Young and Darcie Little Badger, moderated by Palak Jayswal
    AUTHOR TALK | Speculative Fiction — Bryan Young and Darcie Little Badger, moderated by Palak Jayswal
    Sat, Oct 11
    SLCPL Main, Level 4 Conference Room
    Oct 11, 2025, 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM
    SLCPL Main, Level 4 Conference Room, 210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, USA
    Join two celebrated authors as they discuss the worlds of horror, science fiction, fantasy, and most likely, Star Wars. Moderated by The Salt Lake Tribune’s own Palak Jayswal.
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  • AUTHOR TALK | Proper Romance — Sarah Eden, Esther Hatch, and Julie Wright
    AUTHOR TALK | Proper Romance — Sarah Eden, Esther Hatch, and Julie Wright
    Sat, Oct 11
    SLCPL Main, Conference Room A
    Oct 11, 2025, 1:45 PM – 2:35 PM
    SLCPL Main, Conference Room A, 210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, USA
    Sometimes the most romantic gesture is the most subtle and the most delicious! Come and listen to this panel of experts discuss what keeps their readers coming back for more!
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  • OP-ED WORKSHOP | Op-Eds That Will Get Their Attention — Danyelle White
    OP-ED WORKSHOP | Op-Eds That Will Get Their Attention — Danyelle White
    Sat, Oct 11
    SLCPL Main, Conference Room C
    Oct 11, 2025, 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM
    SLCPL Main, Conference Room C, 210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, USA
    Danyelle White is the Chief of Content at The Salt Lake Tribune. In this workshop, you will learn how to craft your personal experience and expertise into an op-ed that will meaningfully get your neighbors’ attention.
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  • AUTHOR TALK | Giving a Voice to Readers | Jennifer Nielsen
    AUTHOR TALK | Giving a Voice to Readers | Jennifer Nielsen
    Sat, Oct 11
    SLCPL Main, Auditorium
    Oct 11, 2025, 1:45 PM – 2:35 PM
    SLCPL Main, Auditorium, 210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, USA
    Jennifer Nielsen is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Ascendance series, among others. She will lead an inspiring presentation on the impact of creativity for readers and authors alike.
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  • MIDDAY KEYNOTE | Read Freely | A conversation with Ellen Hopkins, Paisley Rekdal, and Anne Holman
    MIDDAY KEYNOTE | Read Freely | A conversation with Ellen Hopkins, Paisley Rekdal, and Anne Holman
    Sat, Oct 11
    SLCPL Main, Auditorium
    Oct 11, 2025, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
    SLCPL Main, Auditorium, 210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, USA
    Ellen Hopkins currently holds the not entirely enviable title of “Most Banned Author in America.” All fourteen of her young adult novels have been removed from school, and in some cases, public libraries in some parts of the country. Join us for a powerful presentation from Ellen!
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  • COMMUNITY WORKSHOP | Exploring Books Bans in Utah with Let Utah Read
    COMMUNITY WORKSHOP | Exploring Books Bans in Utah with Let Utah Read
    Sat, Oct 11
    SLCPL Main, Conference Room A
    Oct 11, 2025, 11:15 AM – 12:05 PM
    SLCPL Main, Conference Room A, 210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, USA
    Join us to learn more about banned books in Utah, including what laws have passed, what books have been banned, and why it matters. Aaron Welcher, Bernadette Murphy, and Susan Hiner will briefly share information before opening the session for questions and discussion.
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  • ARTIST TALK | The Art of Illustration — Aly McKnight
    ARTIST TALK | The Art of Illustration — Aly McKnight
    Sat, Oct 11
    SLCPL Main, Level 4 Conference Room
    Oct 11, 2025, 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
    SLCPL Main, Level 4 Conference Room, 210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, USA
    Aly McKnight is an artist and illustrator, whose art features vibrant colors and Indigenous stories. Join Aly as she shares her story and indigenous perspective on illustration, art and the world around her.
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JOIN US!

The Wasatch Festival of Books at Library Square will take place on Saturday, October 11 and Sunday, October 12. All events are at the Salt Lake City Public Library’s Main Library in downtown Salt Lake City.

 

Bringing together a variety of acclaimed authors, readings, and interactive public events, this two-day event is a community celebration of the power of reading—for all ages, and in all its forms. (And yes, for people who love genre stories, graphic novels, and audiobooks, this is your festival too!) All events are free and open to the public. 

​

October is National Book Month!

​

Each year, the Utah Humanities Book Festival brings a wide array of literary events to urban centers and rural communities across the state. As part of this month-long celebration, the Wasatch Festival of Books at Library Square serves as a flagship event for the residents of Utah, Salt Lake, and Davis counties.​

INFO

ABOUT THE
WASATCH FESTIVAL OF BOOKS

CELEBRATING LITERATURE & COMMUNITY

The Wasatch Festival of Books at Library Square is presented in partnership with the Salt Lake City Public Library and the 2025 Utah Humanities Book Festival. Collaboratively conceived by a group of Utah-based publishers, independent bookstores, and libraries, we invite people from across the Wasatch Front (and beyond!) to join us for this weekend-long celebration of reading, readers, and Utah’s diverse, vibrant, and thriving literary community.

 

The Wasatch Festival of Books is made possible through the generous support of Utah Humanities, the University of Utah Press, and The City Library.

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CONTACT

WHAT TO EXPECT

Two days. 20+ presenters and Vendors.

Authors & PRESENTERS

The lineup includes appearances by Ellen Hopkins, Danny Rentsch, Stacie Denetsosie, Father James Alison, and many more. Keep an eye out for the full program announcement soon.

MARKETPLACE

The Festival Marketplace will take place on Saturday, October 11th, and will be open to the public from 10am to 7pm.

VENUE & ACCESSIBILITY

The first annual Wasatch Festival of Books will take place at Library Square! Find information on parking, public transportation, and accessibility options.

GET INVOLVED

We are committed to ensuring that the Wasatch Festival of Books at Library Square is accessible to all members of the community. The festival is free and open to the public.

WASATCH FESTIVAL OF BOOKS

Festival Location
Salt Lake City Public Library
Main Library
210 E 400 S
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

 

 

Festival Coordination & Administration
Torrey House Press
370 S. 300 E.
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

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Contact us

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