Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Chippewa Valley Book Festival unique?
ALL of the author events are FREE (excluding the meal events).
In-person AND virtual attendance options exist.
Most of our events take place in downtown Eau Claire and are walkable to restaurants, shops, hotels, and unique attractions.
What type of authors do you host?
Every type imaginable! From fiction to non-fiction, fantasy to poetry, we try to provide a wide variety of subjects. This year we are hosting several award-winning authors from the genres of poetry, non-fiction, and fiction.
Where is the festival?
The 2025 festival is hosting events both in-person at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, as well as virtually so anyone, from anywhere, can access our high-quality programming. We are also hosting a couple of meal events at a charming Eau Claire restaurant, The Good Wives. Check our events page for details on each event.
Where do I park during the festival events?
Click here for a plethora of parking options in downtown Eau Claire.
What details do I need to know about in-person attendance?
We do request registration for all of our in-person events to make sure we don’t have to turn anyone away. Free registration will open for our author events in September. Seating will open 30 minutes prior to the event time. Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early to check in for the event. Your seat will be reserved until 10 minutes before the program starts, at which time walk-ins will be allowed. If you know you will no longer be able to attend, please use the cancellation link found in your confirmation and reminder emails.
What do I need to know if I’m attending virtually?
If you’ve registered for online access to a book festival event, click the connection link found near the bottom of your confirmation or reminder email any time before or during the scheduled event time. Streaming access is view-only. You can share comments on the video feed, but you cannot communicate directly with the author. (If you can’t remember if you registered for online or in-person attendance, check your confirmation email or email isas@eauclaire.lib.wi.us for assistance.)
Do you need to read the books before attending the events?
Absolutely not. If you’re motivated enough to read one, or two, or ten of the festival books ahead of time, great, but you will enjoy the discussion and stories behind the books with no prior knowledge. In fact, attending these events is a great way to find your next read. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase a copy of a book after hearing an author. We will have copies of the authors’ featured book at every event. If you’d like to browse the books in advance, consider supporting Eau Claire’s local bookseller, Dotter’s Books.
How much do the events cost?
All author events are open to the public and are FREE! Pre-registration is preferred for all author events.
There is a cost associated with the meal events. More information coming soon.
My child is interested in the writers' events, where is the information on that?
The Young Writers Showcase is going to look a little different for our 2025 festival. Stay tuned for more information.
Do I need to RSVP to the author events?
Yes, you will need to register for all festival events. Click on the specific event from this page.
Can I still register on the day of the event?
If you haven't secured your FREE tickets to the event you're interested in, there is still time. For both virtual and in-person events, registration is open until the event begins. Walk-ins (with no registration) are able to attend as space allows. For any sold-out events, those on the waitlist will be offered any spots that open up ten minutes before the events start.
I want to submit as an author, where can I do that?
Author deadlines are in November for the following year, so we are no longer taking author submissions for the 2025 festival. If you’re interested in presenting at the 2026 festival, click here to submit a brief form.
May I bring children to the events?
Most events are family-friendly but carefully read each program description. Some events cover subjects that children may not grasp, or may find challenging.
How do you fund the authors?
The community supports this festival along with grants and a huge amount of help from area businesses. If you are interested in making a contribution, please click here to support the festival.
