Minnesota Events for Writers and Book Lovers in 2024

Minnesota is a great state for conferences, conventions, fairs, and other events centered on books and writing. Whether you’re publishing your first novel, hoping to meet your favorite author, networking for your editing business, or looking to sharpen your wordsmithing skills, there’s sure to be at least one event up your alley. Here’s what you can look forward to in 2024!

Some of these events are specifically aimed at improving your writing or finding a publisher; others involve authors and literature as part of a wider range of activities. The best thing to do is to check out each event’s website to get a feel for what it offers. Where an event has provided a public policy related to COVID, I’ve included that information.

For author readings, public book clubs, and other small events, be sure to bookmark Rain Taxi’s literary events calendar. Also note that the Loft Literary Center turns 50 in 2024 and will be hosting a series of special events throughout the year to celebrate, including a discussion with author Roxane Gay in June.

And be sure to check out the Twin Cities Geek 2024 Minnesota Convention Guide. I’ve included the most book-focused cons on this list, but there are plenty of others that you might enjoy.

The Twin Cities Book Festival at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Madeleine Vasaly

Updated July 10, 2024

Winter

Book Fair Happy Hour

When: February 21, 2024
Where: Icehouse, Minneapolis
What: Book sale and social event with local literary presses Milkweed Editions, Graywolf Press, and Coffee House Press

Queer Writes Book Fair

When: February 25, 2024
Where: Urban Growler Brewing Company, St. Paul
What: Book fair focusing on LGBTQIA+ authors and stories, organized by Twin Cities Pride

MarsCon

When: March 8–10, 2024
Where: Hilton Minneapolis–St. Paul Airport, Bloomington
What: Sci-fi and fantasy fan convention

Young Authors Conference

When: March 15 and May 28–31, 2024
Where: Arden Hills
What: Conference for students, arranged as a field trip by elementary and high school groups

Rosemount Writers Festival

When: March 16, 2024
Where: Steeple Center, Rosemount
What: Local festival for writers and readers

Spring

Minicon

When: March 29–31, 2024
Where: DoubleTree Park Place, St. Louis Park
What: Sci-fi and fantasy fan convention sponsored by the Minnesota Science Fiction Society (Minn-StF)
COVID-19 Policy: The convention will be running HEPA air filters in some high-traffic areas. (Full Policy)

Minnesota Writing Workshop

When: April 6, 2024
Where: InterContinental St. Paul Riverfront
What: Full-day workshop for writers focusing on how to get published

Teen Lit Con

When: April 27, 2024
Where: Edina High School
What: One-day event dedicated to teen literature, reading, and writing

Independent Bookstore Day

When: April 27, 2024
Where: Bookstores throughout Minnesota
What: A national holiday celebrating indie bookstores

StoryFest

When: May 4, 2024
Where: Bloomington Center for the Arts
What: “A full day and evening of story performances, workshops for storytellers of all levels, and open mics”

Minnesota Book Awards Ceremony

When: May 7, 2024
Where: Ordway Center for Performing Arts, St. Paul
What: Cocktail reception and ceremony dinner announcing the winners of this year’s Minnesota Book Awards, emceed by local geek rapper Nur-D

Minnesota Comic Book Association SpringCon

When: May 18, 2024
Where: M Health Fairview Sports Center, Woodbury
What: Comic convention organized by the recently formed MNCBA (read our article about this successor organization to the Midwest Comic Book Association)

Summer

Narrativity

When: May 30–June 2, 2024
Where: Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West, Plymouth
What: Writing convention
COVID-19 Policy: Full vaccination is required for admittance, and masks are strongly recommended. (Full Policy)

Loft Literary Center 50th Anniversary Celebration

When: June 7, 2024
Where: Open Book, Minneapolis
What: The Loft is celebrating its 50th birthday with a variety of events throughout 2024, but June 7 is the “special celebration.”

4th Street Fantasy Convention

When: June 14–16, 2024
Where: DoubleTree Park Place, St. Louis Park
What: Small fantasy storytelling convention
COVID-19 Policy: Policy updates have not been announced for 2024 as of publication, but masking and proof of vaccination or medical exemption were required in 2023. (Full Policy)

Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference

When: June 24–29, 2024
Where: Bemidji State University
What: Limited-attendance writer’s retreat

CONvergence

When: July 4–7, 2024
Where: Hyatt Regency Hotel, Minneapolis
What: Multigenre fan convention (Twin Cities Geek is a community partner of CONvergence and will have a table at the convention)
COVID-19 Policy: Masking and vaccination are strongly recommended but no longer required. N95/KN95 masks will be provided. (Full Policy)

Golden Crown Literary Society Annual Conference

When: July 10–14, 2024
Where: InterContinental St. Paul Riverfront
What: Conference dedicated to sapphic literature (changes cities yearly)

Minnesota Antiquarian Book Fair

When: July 12–13, 2024
Where: Anderson Center, Hamline University
What: The place to buy old and rare books

Diversicon

When: August 2–5, 2024
Where: DoubleTree Park Place, St. Louis Park
What: Fan convention focusing on diverse speculative fiction

Mythcon

When: August 2–5, 2024
Where: DoubleTree Park Place, St. Louis Park
What: Convention of the Mythopoeic Society (cosponsor of Diversicon, above)

Northwoods Art and Book Festival

When: August 10, 2024
Where: 3rd Street and Lake Avenue East, Hackensack
What: Free festival organized by the Northwoods Arts Council

ToshoCon

When: August 17, 2024
Where: Arlington Hills Library, St. Paul
What: A mini anime, manga, and Japanese culture convention hosted by the St. Paul Public Library

Autoptic Festival

When: August 17–18, 2024
Where: University of Minnesota and Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis
What: Free festival focused on comics, zines, posters, and other DIY print media

Insert Name Zine Fest

When: August 18, 2024
Where: Squirrel Haus Arts, Minneapolis
What: Free zine festival

The crowd at a past Wordplay festival. Madeleine Vasaly

Fall

Minnesota Children’s Book Festival

When: TBA; 2023 event was in mid-September
Where: Anderson Center at Tower View, Red Wing
What: Celebration of children’s literature featuring author and illustrator appearances, kids’ activities, tours of the Anderson Center water tower, and more

Deep Valley Book Festival

When: October 5, 2024
Where: Country Inn and Suites Conference Center, Mankato
What: Free family-friendly book festival

Minnesota Comic Book Association FallCon

When: October 12–13, 2024
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds Grandstand, Falcon Heights
What: Comic convention organized by the recently formed MNCBA (read our article about this successor organization to the Midwest Comic Book Association)

Twin Cities Book Festival

When: October 19, 2024
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds
What: “THE annual get together for devoted book lovers from the Twin Cities and beyond!”

Minnesota Black Authors Expo

When: TBA; usually mid- to late October
Where: Minneapolis
What: A free expo focused on supporting Black authors of “every genre and age”

Opus & Olives

When: TBA; usually mid- to late October
Where: St. Paul
What: The annual fundraising gala for the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library, featuring author guests, a cocktail reception, dinner, and live entertainment

Cracked Walnut Literary Festival

When: TBA; 2023 event was in October
Where: Throughout the Twin Cities and online
What: Festival featuring author readings and Q&As, workshops, and other events

Open Book in Minneapolis. Madeleine Vasaly

Ongoing

Publisher/Freelancer Social Hour

When: February 29, May 8, July 16, and October 2, 2024
Where: Locations throughout the Twin Cities
What: The Professional Editors Network (whose board I’m on) and the Minnesota Book Publishers Roundtable cohost free happy-hour events several times a year for those who work in or are interested in publishing—watch the PEN calendar or follow the organizations on social media for venue announcements

So, will you be hitting any of these events this year? Is there anything you think is missing from this list? Email me or let us know in the comments!