Minnesota Events for Writers and Book Lovers in 2025

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 skills as a writer, there’s sure to be at least one event up your alley. Here’s what you can look forward to in 2025!

In addition to returning staples like the Twin Cities Book Festival, this year will see the launch of three new book-related conventions (two of them specifically dedicated to romance), and plus St. Paul is hosting the Independent Book Publishers Association’s annual conference. Some of the events on this list 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, I recommend bookmarking Rain Taxi’s literary events calendar (and checking out the map of Minnesota independent bookstores at the bottom of this article). And be sure to browse the wider Twin Cities Geek Minnesota Convention Guide—I’ve included the most reader- and writer-focused cons from that list here, but there are plenty of others you might enjoy.

Our Values

Twin Cities Geek provides and supports spaces where topics important to members of Minnesota geek communities can be discussed in fun, constructive, responsible, and impactful ways. Inclusion, respect, and safety are important to us. Although a convention being on this list does not constitute an endorsement of that particular event, we do not include a con if we know that it or its organizers conflict with our mission and values. If you feel that one of the events below is incompatible with Twin Cities Geek as an organization, we encourage you to contact us with your concerns.

The 2024 Twin Cities Book Festival at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. The TCBF is moving this year to the Union Depot. Madeleine Vasaly

While we do our best to add newly announced events and major changes as we become aware of them, we can’t guarantee that every event listing will be updated following the original publication of this guide. Always check convention websites for the most up-to-date information. If you’re an organizer who’d like to provide us with updated information or request that your event be added, please email us.

Updated June 15, 2025

Winter

Book Fair for Adults

When: January 11, 2025
Where: Inbound BrewCo, Minneapolis
What: A book fair for grownups featuring a handful of local booksellers plus other book-related vendors

Minnesota Black Authors Expo

When: February 8, 2025
Where: Galaxie Library, Apple Valley
What: A free expo focused on supporting Black authors of “every genre and age”

Queer Writes Romance Book Fair

When: February 16, 2025
Where: The Machine Shop, Minneapolis
What: A book and craft fair highlighting queer authors, booksellers, and other vendors

Sports Romance Con

When: February 28–March 2, 2025
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Minneapolis Airport, Bloomington
What: Sports-themed romance convention

MarsCon

When: March 7–9, 2025
Where: Hilton Minneapolis–St. Paul Airport/Mall of America, Bloomington
What: Sci-fi and fantasy fan convention

Young Authors Conference

When: March 14, 2025 (also May 27–29)
Where: Bethel University, Arden Hills
What: Conference for students, arranged as a field trip by elementary and high school groups

Rosemount Writers Festival

When: March 15, 2025
Where: Steeple Center, Rosemount
What: Local festival for writers and readers

Spring

Minnesota Writing Workshop

When: April 5, 2025
Where: InterContinental St. Paul Riverfront
What: Full-day workshop for writers focusing on how to get published

Romance Books Appreciation Day

When: April 5, 2025
Where: Inbound BrewCo., Minneapolis
What: A romance-focused event from the organizer of January’s Book Fair for Adults and November’s Fables and Flames

Minicon

When: April 18–20, 2025
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington–Minneapolis South
What: Sci-fi and fantasy fan convention sponsored by the Minnesota Science Fiction Society (Minn-StF)

Teen Lit Con

When: April 26, 2025
Where: Two Rivers High School, Mendota Heights
What: One-day event dedicated to teen literature, reading, and writing

Independent Bookstore Day

When: April 26, 2025
Where: Bookstores throughout Minnesota
What: A national holiday celebrating indie bookstores (watch for our annual guide to what local shops have planned)

Minnesota Book Awards Ceremony

When: April 22, 2025
Where: Ordway Center for Performing Arts, St. Paul
What: Cocktail reception and ceremony dinner announcing the winners of this year’s Minnesota Book Awards

IBPA Publishing University

When: May 15–17, 2025
Where: InterContinental St. Paul Riverfront
What: The annual conference of the Independent Book Publishers Association (city changes yearly)

Young Authors Conference

When: May 27–29, 2025 (also March 14)
Where: Bethel University, Arden Hills
What: Conference for students, arranged as a field trip by elementary and high school groups

Summer

Minnesota Comic Book Association (MNCBA) SpringCon

When: June 7, 2025
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds Education Building, Falcon Heights
What: Comic convention

4th Street Fantasy

When: June 13–15, 2025
Where: DoubleTree Park Place, St. Louis Park
What: Small fantasy storytelling convention
COVID-19 Policy: Masking is required in convention spaces, and attendees must provide proof of a same-day negative COVID test at the registration desk on the first day of the convention. (Full Policy)

Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference

When: June 23–28, 2025
Where: Bemidji State University
What: Limited-attendance writer’s retreat

Narrativity

When: June 26–29, 2025
Where: Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West, Plymouth
What: Writing convention
COVID-19 Policy: Full vaccination is required for admittance, including at least one booster shot, and masks are strongly recommended. (Full Policy)

Midwest Bookish Fest

When: June 28–29, 2025
Where: Minneapolis Mariott West, St. Louis Park
What: Hotel fan convention focused on books

The lobby at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, the venue for CONvergence. Madeleine Vasaly

CONvergence

When: July 3–6, 2025
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 recommended. N95/KN95 masks will be provided. (Full Policy)

Minnesota Antiquarian Book Fair

When: July 12, 2025
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds North End Event Center, Falcon Heights
What: The place to buy old and rare books

Book Fair for Grown Ups

When: July 12, 2025
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds Education Building, Falcon Heights
What: A book fair for grownups featuring a local booksellers, other book-related vendors, and beer

Bookstore Romance Day

When: August 9, 2025
Where: Bookstores throughout Minnesota
What: A national holiday celebrating romance literature and independent bookstores (keep an eye out for what Minneapolis’s Tropes & Trifles will be doing)

Northwoods Art and Book Festival

When: August 9, 2025
Where: 3rd Street and Lake Avenue East, Hackensack
What: Free festival organized by the Northwoods Arts Council

ToshoCon

When: TBA (held in August in 2023 and 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: TBA (usually August)
Where: University of Minnesota and/or Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis
What: Free festival focused on comics, zines, posters, and other DIY print media

Fall

Diversicon

When: September 5–7, 2025
Where: Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West, Plymouth
What: Fan con focusing on diverse speculative fiction

Minnesota Children’s Book Festival

When: September 13, 2025
Where: Anderson Center at Tower View, Red Wing
What: Celebration of children’s literature with author and illustrator appearances, kids’ activities, tours of the Anderson Center water tower, and more

Gaylaxicon

When: October 3–5, 2025
Where: Crowne Plaza Aire MSP Airport/Mall of America, Bloomington
Convention Type: Hotel fan con
What: LGBTQ+-focused speculative fiction and gaming convention

Deep Valley Book Festival

When: October 11, 2025
Where: Courtyard by Marriott Event Center, Mankato
What: Free family-friendly book festival

Minnesota Comic Book Association (MNCBA) FallCon

When: October 11–12, 2025
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds Grandstand, Falcon Heights
What: Comic convention

Twin Cities Book Festival

When: November 8, 2025
Where: St. Paul Union Depot (new venue)
What: “THE annual get together for devoted book lovers from the Twin Cities and beyond!”

Opus & Olives

When: October 12, 2025
Where: St. Paul RiverCentre
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 (usually October)
Where: Throughout the Twin Cities and online
What: Festival featuring author readings and Q&As, workshops, and other events

Twin Cities Con

When: November 7–9, 2025
Where: Minneapolis Convention Center, downtown Minneapolis
Focus: Fandom/pop culture expo convention that includes some authors and comic book creators among its exhibitors and guests

Fables and Flames

When: November 21–23, 2025
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Minneapolis Airport, Bloomington
What: Fan convention and gala for fantasy romance readers

A past Publisher/Freelancer Happy Hour at Lake Monster Brewing in St. Paul. Madeleine Vasaly

Ongoing

Publisher/Freelancer Social Hours

When: Usually one event each in spring, summer, and fall
Where: Locations throughout the Twin Cities
What: The Professional Editors Network (whose board I’m on) and the Minnesota Book Publishers Roundtable cohost these free casual 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!