NYT Best Selling Authors at DSM Book Festival
As a lifelong lover of books, I cannot tell you how excited I am about the upcoming DSM Book Festival! The DSM Book Festival is Downtown Des Moines’ (DSM’s) annual, open to the public and family-friendly book festival that kicks off this year on Saturday, March 30. From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., book lovers like me can hear from nationally-acclaimed authors, experience hands-on activities and classes and enjoy programming for children, such as a Peppa Pig Tea Party or meet the beloved Elephant and Piggie characters from the books by Mo Willems.
This year’s Festival features the following headlining authors:
Nnedi Okorafor
About the Author
Nnedi Okorafor is well known as the author of Marvel’s “Black Panther” and has written many other works for both children and adults. An international award-winning novelist of African-based science fiction, fantasy and magical realism, her other books include Who Fears Death, the Binti trilogy and the Akata series. I especially enjoyed the Akata series, and have several of her other books sitting on my “to be read” shelf.
Time and Place
Hear from Nnedi at 2 p.m. at the Prairie Meadows Author Pavilion.
Garth Stein
About the Author
Garth Stein is the author of The Art of Racing in the Rain, which is slated to become a movie starring Milo Ventimiglia, Kevin Costner and Amanda Seyfried in 2019. He has also written A Sudden Light, How Evan Broke His Head and Other Secrets and Raven Stole the Moon.
Time and Place
Hear from Garth at noon at the Prairie Meadows Author Pavilion.
Susan Orlean
About the Author
The DSM Book Festival is also kicking off the Des Moines Public Library’s first AViD Author Series event of 2019 with nonfiction author and journalist Susan Orlean. Her book, The Orchid Thief, was adapted for the screen and starred Meryl Streep, Nicholas Cage and Tilda Swinton. Her most recent book, The Library Book, is a must-read for lovers of books and libraries. Her other books include Rin Tin Tin, Animalish, Saturday Night, Lazy Little Loafers, My Kind of Place, Red Sox and Bluefish, Throw Me a Bone, as well as contributions to 14 other works.
Time and Place
Hear from Susan at 4 p.m. at the Prairie Meadows Author Pavilion.
Ted Genoways
About the Author
In partnership with All Iowa Reads/Iowa Public Radio, the DSM Book Festival welcomes Ted Genoways, winner of the 2018 James Beard Foundation Award for Investigative Journalism and author of This Blessed Earth, a book that follows a family’s farm operation for one year through harvest, planting, de-tasseling and more.
Time and Place
Hear from Ted at 10:30 a.m. at the Prairie Meadows Author Pavilion.
The DSM Book Festival is an opportunity to welcome well-known authors to Des Moines and to hear their experiences of writing and publishing successful works. For book lovers and their families, this event offers a chance to celebrate the written word in an inclusive and engaging setting. Other exciting Festival offerings include an exclusive Storytellers Project event featuring 4-6 storytellers, as well as vendors and a specialty bar—called Hemingway’s Drinkery—with cocktails and beverages featuring literary puns.
Join us at Capital Square and Cowles Commons, 400 Locust Street, for bookish fun! Take advantage of the free Downtown D-Line shuttle or a range of parking options.
Find books by the headlining authors prior to the event by visiting the official DSM Book Festival book store, Beaverdale Books, at 2629 Beaver Avenue in Des Moines. You can also buy books onsite at the Festival.
You can also upgrade your experience with e VIP ticket and be the first in line to meet these amazing authors. And, you get access to the Banker Trust VIP Suite which includes a private bar and food!
More information on the DSM Book Festival can be found at DSMBookFestival.com.
Downtown Des Moines (DSM) is a growing, vibrant community that offers the energy, sophistication, housing and attractions of a big city. It’s also easy to visit with plentiful and affordable street and ramp parking options.