Celebrate diverse stories, build an engaged community, and support writers.
From large presentations, to the preciously quaint, the Fox Cities Book Festival explores the gamut of literary experiences as varied as the communities of the Fox Cities. Enjoy big names and even larger characters where the art of storytelling leaps from pages.
The Fox Cities Book Festival works with a mission to connect writers and readers across our diverse communities. Our vision is to celebrate diverse stories, build an engaged community, and support writers.
Access to art and cultural experiences is critical to human development, so all our events are free and open to the public. Everyone is encouraged to explore the ever-expanding possibilities simple words on a page can convey. Held in libraries, universities, and buildings of interest throughout the Fox Cities, the festival features readings, workshops, panels, and discussions, as well as a large community read each year with the Fox Cities Reads.
Fox Cities Book Festival Board Members
- President: Holly Selwitschka, Kimberly Public Library
- Vice President: Nycole Waller, Community Member
- Secretary: Kara Patterson, Writer
- Kalan Bavinck, The Book Store
- Lisa Gardiner, Educator and Community Volunteer
- Tracy Haack, Kimberly Public Library
- Doug Middleton, Retired School Principal, Celebrate Diversity Fox Cities, and PopEarth
- Kirk Moore-Nokes, Menasha Public Library
- Meghan Odegard, Neenah Public Library
- Jessica Thiel, Community Member
Fox Cities Reads Committee
- Ana Acosta, Menasha Public Library
- Holly Selwitschka, Kimberly Public Library
- Ashley Thiem-Menning, Kaukauna Public Library
- Mike Thomas, Neenah Public Library
- Yee Lee Vue, Appleton Public Library
Fox Cities Book Festival Author & Event Committee
- Kalan Bavinck, The Book Store
- Tracy Haack, Kimberly Public Library
- Doug Middleton, Retired School Principal, Celebrate Diversity Fox Cities, and PopEarth
- Kirk Moore-Nokes, Menasha Public Library
- Meghan Odegard, Neenah Public Library
- Yee Lee Vue, Appleton Public Library
Committees
Governance Committee
The Governance Committee has the Vice President of the board as chair and maintains the by-laws, brings amendments to the by-laws for voting as necessary, enforces the by-laws, recruits with the help of the entire board new members and provides training and orientation for new board members. Contact info@foxcitiesbookfestival.org.
Fundraising/Marketing Committee
The Fundraising/Marketing Committee provides with the help of the entire board the funds to conduct the annual festival. Deposit, record, and acknowledge the contributions to the festival. Work with the Treasurer to build the annual budget; work with the Authors’/Events Committee to plan and carryout fundraising events as decided upon by the board. Prepare a plan to market the festival and related events to be approved by the board. Arrange for the implementation of the marketing plan, utilizing volunteers as well as contracted vendors; and oversee the implementation of the marketing plan. Contact donations@foxcitiesbookfestival.org.
Authors’/Events Committee
The Authors’/Events Committee researches and selects appropriate authors for the Fox Cities Book Festival. The authors are chosen from a variety of genres designed to attract board demographics and with consideration for potential sponsors within the community. They prepare input to the annual budget, make author choices within the constraints of the budget and calendar approved by the entire board. The committee schedules presentations at the available venues, prepares with the input of the entire board, an annual calendar for the activities of the year, works with marketing and volunteer committees to plan and execute public relations events as determined by the board and plans and implements activities during the Fox Cities Book Festival as determined by the board. Contact authors@foxcitiesbookfestival.org.
Volunteers’ Committee
The Volunteers’ Committee recruits and trains volunteers to support the Fox Cities Book Festival, fundraising, and other related events. This committee provides the materials necessary for the volunteers to perform their tasks. The committee encourages volunteers to increase their involvement with the festival with their time, skills, and contributions. Contact volunteers@foxcitiesbookfestival.org.