Kansas Book Festival

06/09/2026

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who joined us for "A Night for the History Books" as we looked back at the 1966 Topeka tornado with Bill Kurtis and Melissa Brunner. As promised, everyone who generously donated *last night* to support this year's Kansas Book Festival was entered to win an authentic 1966 Stauffer Communications booklet signed by Bill Kurtis. We're excited to announce that we actually have two booklets to give out!

The winners have been selected and will hear from us shortly. If you donated last night, please keep an eye on your email and messages, as we'll be giving folks 24 hours to claim their booklet. If we don't hear back from you, we'll spin the wheel again! Thank you again to everyone who has supported the festival thus far. Whether you gave $5 or $5,000, you are part of a special group of people who are demonstrating the value of celebrating literary life in Kansas, and who have ensured we can keep the festival free for thousands of Kansas readers.

Your support means everything to us. Please stay tuned as we begin to announce the panels, performers, and activities for the 2026 Kansas Book Festival!

06/08/2026

Tonight marks exactly 60 years since Bill Kurtis’s historic WIBW broadcast of the 1966 Topeka tornado. We invite you to join us for a conversation with Bill Kurtis and Melissa Brunner as they talk about his legendary career, his foray into writing, and his memories of Topeka on that fateful day and beyond.

Sponsored by Kansas Public Radio , Washburn University English Department, Center for Kansas Studies, and KMUW, join us at the Washburn University Memorial Union at 6:00 pm in support of this year’s festival.

For more information, go to the link in our bio. See you tonight!

Photo credit: Topeka Capital-Journal

06/04/2026

Join us on June 8th as we honor history with Bill Kurtis for “A Night for the History Books,” looking back at the 1966 Topeka tornado.

Here is what makes this night so special:

* Washburn University Libraries’s University Archivist and Special Collections Librarian and the Kansas State Historical Society will be there displaying artifacts from their archives.
* You can also grab your own copy of Bill’s memoir, Whirlwind, available from the University Press of Kansas and the Ichabod Shop. Bill will be available to sign copies after the event!

Head to the link in our bio to learn more!

Photo credit: Topeka Capital-Journal

06/03/2026

06/01/2026

Today is the deadline!

Donate to the Kansas Book Festival today to be entered for a chance to meet Bill Kurtis before our fundraiser on June 8. We will reach out directly to the lucky winner on Wednesday, June 3.

A huge THANK YOU to all who have donated so far! Your generosity is what keeps our festival coming back year after year.

As a reminder, A NIGHT FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS: BILL KURTIS REMEMBERS is completely free and open to the public, but we hope you’ll jump on this chance for a special meet-and-greet with Bill. Details at the link in our bio, and we’ll see you on Monday, June 8!

05/28/2026

In case you missed our Festival Director, Lara Avery, live on the 4:00 PM news, she was talking all about our upcoming fundraiser, A Night for the History Books: Bill Kurtis Remembers.

We are a little less than two weeks away from Monday, June 8th at 6:00 PM, when the legendary broadcaster and author Bill Kurtis will sit down with WIBW's Melissa Brunner at the Washburn Memorial Union. It marks 60 years to the exact day since the historic 1966 Topeka tornado, and it’s going to be an unforgettable evening of storytelling, community history, and a live trivia game show! The event is free and open to the public, and all donation proceeds directly support the 2026 Kansas Book Festival. Donate by June 1 for a chance to meet-and-greet with Bill Kurtis!

Where: Washburn University Memorial Union (A/B Ballroom)
When: Monday, June 8th | Doors open at 5:30 PM, Event at 6:00 PM

Head to the link in our bio to see the segment and learn more about the fundraiser event.

05/26/2026

Who needs books? Thousands of Kansas readers. After $57,839 in budget cuts, the Kansas Book Festival is calling on our community to help us keep the story going.

A Night for the History Books: Bill Kurtis Remembers will take place on June 8, 2026. Sponsored by Kansas Public Radio, Washburn University English Department, Center for Kansas Studies, and KMUW, this is an event with two goals: marking 60 years since the 1966 Topeka tornado with legendary broadcaster Bill Kurtis and WIBW 's Melissa Brunner, and gathering our friends to help us fill this gap in funding, one donation at a time. Donate today for a chance to win a meet-and-greet with Bill Kurtis before the night begins!

 A Night for the History Books: Bill Kurtis Remembers You’re invited! Date: Monday, June 8 Time: Doors @ 5:30, Event @ 6:00 Location: Washburn Memorial Union A/B Ballroom Cost: Donate what you…

05/15/2026

Celebrating our library grant awardees!

At the Kansas Book Festival, nothing brings us more joy than supporting the amazing Kansas libraries and schools that create a lifelong love for literature in our communities. We are proud to announce that this year, we have awarded a total of $11,369 in grants to 8 outstanding organizations in Kansas!

These funds will help our grantees grow their book collections and technology resources for readers of all ages. Please join us in celebrating this year's winners:

* Shawnee Heights Elementary School
* Kismet Public Library
* Paola Free Library
* Grinnell Elementary School
* Altoona-Midway USD 387
* Dwight Public Library
* Eisenhower High School
* Kansas State School for the Blind

Thank you to these educators and librarians for your dedication to your students and communities. We are honored to be of service to your mission!

05/06/2026

A local legend returns to his roots!

On Monday, June 8, join the Kansas Book Festival for "A Night for the History Books," featuring Bill Kurtis in conversation with Melissa Brunner from WIBW. This special event marks 60 years to the day since Kurtis’s historic broadcast of the 1966 Topeka tornado.

Come for the memories, stay for the:

- Copies of Bill Kurtis's memoir Whirlwind for sale from the Ichabod Shop and University Press of Kansas.
- Archival items from the Kansas Historical Society.
- Post-interview gameshow with help from 's J. Schafer and you, the audience!

The Kansas Book Festival is dedicated to bringing you celebrations of Kansas literary life for free. Demonstrate the value of what we do. Use the link in our bio to donate by June 1st for your chance to win an exclusive meet-and-greet with Bill Kurtis before the show!

Where: Washburn Memorial Union A/B Ballroom

When: June 8 | Doors at 5:30 PM | Event at 6:00 PM

A Night for the History Books: Bill Kurtis Remembers You’re invited! Date: Monday, June 8 Time: Doors @ 5:30, Event @ 6:00 Location: Washburn Memorial Union A/B Ballroom Cost: Donate what you can …

04/19/2026

National Library Week (April 19–25) is a celebration of the stories and spaces that bring us together.

Libraries are more than just buildings; they are where communities find inspiration, connection, and resources. From the Kansas Book Festival, we invite you to visit your local library this week and discover what brings you joy! 🌻📚