AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 9, 2026
Origins: A Festival Rooted in Community and Literacy
The Wisconsin Book Festival marks its 25th anniversary in October 2026, commemorating a quarter-century as one of the country’s premier literary gatherings. Established in 2002 by the Wisconsin Humanities Council with early support from the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation and the Evjue Foundation, the festival quickly became a staple for book lovers and authors across Wisconsin and beyond. The festival’s origins are tied to a national push for literacy, with a grant from a Republican-led state Legislature and encouragement from then-First Lady Laura Bush, an advocate for reading and literacy who urged states to create their own book festivals.
Pioneering Directors Build Foundations
Dean Bakopoulos, formerly of Canterbury Booksellers in Madison, served as the festival’s founding director in 2002. Securing initial funding of around half a million dollars, Bakopoulos designed a blueprint that set the tone for years to come: multi-day programming across more than two dozen venues, celebrating both regional and national literary voices. Early years saw appearances by celebrated authors including Jane Hamilton, Dave Eggers, Paul Auster, Jacquelyn Mitchard, Charles Baxter, Tenaya Darlington, Brenda Cárdenas, and Kevin Henkes. Three of these writers—Hamilton, Henkes, and Cárdenas—are featured in the 2026 silver-anniversary lineup, with Hamilton and Henkes presenting a session on writing about family life at Madison’s Central Library.
Growing Impact and Shifting Leadership
After Bakopoulos’s tenure, Alison Jones Chaim directed the festival from 2003 through 2012, steering it through the challenge of sustaining and expanding donor support without federal or state funding. There were considerations about taking the festival statewide, but ultimately, strong local relationships and donors kept it rooted in Madison.
In 2013, oversight transitioned to the Madison Public Library and its Foundation, coinciding with a $30 million renovation and reopening of the Central Library on West Mifflin Street. Tana Elias, then the library’s digital services and marketing manager, recalls the dedication required to integrate the festival’s unique demands within library operations. The transition was overseen by Conor Moran, whose previous experience at a Washington, D.C., bookstore prepared him to expand the festival’s reach and diversity. Under Moran, from 2013 to 2023, the festival condensed its main celebration but greatly increased its year-round programming, author school visits, and cross-organization collaborations.
A Vibrant, Evolving Book Festival
The 2026 Wisconsin Book Festival hosts 55 events between October 15-18, with all programming free and open to the public, echoing the inclusive spirit of its origins. The festival’s Fall Celebration and ongoing author events have grown significantly, drawing over 14,000 attendees to 92 programs in 2025. Especially notable is the increasing engagement of younger audiences aged 19 to 24, with only the 65 to 74 age group larger in recent years. These trends highlight the festival’s evolving appeal across generations.
Standout recent moments include a February 2026 appearance by Booker Prize winner George Saunders at the Orpheum Theater, where attendees received complimentary copies of his latest novel, "Vigil." The presence of high-profile authors underscores the festival’s rising prestige among publishers and the literary community nationally.
New Directions Under Jane Rotonda
Jane Rotonda became the Wisconsin Book Festival’s fourth director in 2023, continuing to broaden its offerings and partnerships, particularly with independent bookstores. Under Rotonda’s leadership, the festival has diversified its event formats—incorporating panel discussions and conversation partners—and targeted expanded audiences such as poets, youth writers, and new community groups. For Rotonda, change is essential but the essence remains: “It’s all about what happens when you put people in a room together who are of different ages and different backgrounds and perspectives. That is what a book festival is. And you might get to meet your favorite author, too.”
A Lasting Legacy
Through the commitment of its directors and the ongoing support of community donors and organizations like the Madison Public Library Foundation, the Wisconsin Book Festival continues to promote community literacy, celebrate authors, and provide free access to literary culture for all. Its legacy and continued innovation ensure its place as a highlight among Madison events and a model for book festival history across the nation.
Source: isthmus.com.
