This post is sponsored by the DSM Book Festival.
Returning for four Saturdays in March and April, the 2021 DSM Book Festival will welcome authors previously set to attend the event in 2020, as well as hold a variety of limited hands-on and virtual workshops. Activities and speakers will begin between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the following Saturdays: March 27, April 3, April 10 and April 17.
Festival Authors
Acclaimed authors Tayari Jones, “An American Marriage”; Chuck Klosterman, “But What If We’re Wrong?”; Lara Prescott, “The Secrets We Kept”; and Taylor Jenkins Reid, “Daisy Jones and the Six” will headline the event with online presentations. Find registration and VIP information here.
Local Authors
More than 60 authors with Iowa ties will also be showcased during the DSM Book Festival, including authors from the following categories: Biography/Memoir, Children’s, Fiction, History, Mystery, Nonfiction, Poetry, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Self-Help, Thriller and Young Adult/Teen.
Workshops
From learning faux calligraphy basics to creating your own book planter, this year’s workshops are opportunities to learn and grow. Sign up for one of the limited in-person spots or register for the online program featuring an at-home kit. Workshops for writers and for the kids are also available.
Literature + Libations
Attendees 21+ will enjoy a new twist on happy hour with limited in-person and virtual options for the following Literature and Libations events:
- Pride + Prosecco, an event for Jane Austen fans and sparkling wine
- A Tale of Two Breweries, an event for classic literature fans and local brews
- 80 Proof: Introduction to Whiskey with Foundry Distilling Co., an event for whiskey fans
- The Last of the Mojitos + Other Summer Cocktail Lessons, an event for craft cocktail fans
Volunteer
The DSM Book Festival is still looking for volunteers for the following jobs: Packet Pickup, Information Office, Workshop Assistant, Kids’ Kit Pickup and Event Setup and Teardown. For those interested in volunteering at the Capital Square location, where in-person events will take place, please register here. All volunteers are required to mask up and will receive a Festival t-shirt and mask to wear during their shift.
All activities will be held online, but for in-person activities, attendees can find free and paid parking options — meters, lots and garages — surrounding Capital Square. BCycle and the free Downtown D-Line Shuttle are also available as transportation options.
To purchase DSM Book Festival t-shirts, book lights, stickers and more, visit the DSM Book Festival merchandise shop.
More information on attending the DSM Book Festival can be found at DSMBookFestival.com.
The Greater Des Moines Partnership calendar of events is a one-stop resource for activities taking place throughout the region. Find networking information for Greater Des Moines (DSM) businesses or events specific to Downtown DSM.
