Spring Road Trip 2025 Recap

With the support of our wonderful hosts -- Republic of Letters, The Book Kitchen, and Shake Rag Alley -- and our generous sponsors -- Little Creek Press, Scholastic, Fuji Associates, and Sourcebooks -- we came together on May 12th and 13th in the enchanting town of Mineral Point, Wisconsin, for an uplifting gathering of booksellers, publishers, vendors, and authors. The days were filled with so much joy, inspiration, and connection, it’s hard to put into words, but we’re trying our best to capture the warmth and excitement which made this event so special.   

From the moment we arrived, Mineral Point delighted us with its unique charm. It's a town rich in history, creativity, and a deep love for the arts -- making it the perfect backdrop for our gathering. The energy was electric as we dove into engaging panels, where passionate discussions about books, publishing, and storytelling sparked new ideas and friendships.

The days were packed with sweet moments: we bonded over shared favorites at book club, laughed together in a hands-on cooking class, and let our creativity flow during collaborative art projects. Opening words from Casey Brown of the Ho-Chunk Nation set the stage for a thoughtful and engaging event. The Art Walk through downtown, organized by Keith at Republic of Letters, was a highlight, allowing us to explore the town’s galleries, businesses, and cozy nooks while chatting with fellow book lovers. And, of course, the chance to meet and hear from compelling authors during our conference left us all feeling inspired and eager to dive into new titles.

We started a new tradition (for this MIBA era, anyway): announcing Bookseller of the Year at Spring Road Trip! CJ Arthur, owner of WordHaven BookHouse, received the award and gave an incredibly poignant speech. Read the press release here.

The Midwest Writers Room podcast recorded on location and interviewed some attendees. Watch the episode here.

Kim Suhr, a reporter with Wisconsin People & Ideas Magazine, was also in attendance. The Spring Road Trip will be featured in the magazine later this summer.

You all, with abundance in mind, shared your wisdom and expertise during Ideas that Work. We'll be adding those notes to our website -- look for them soon!

This wasn’t just an event—it was a celebration of community, creativity, and the magic that happens when book people come together. Thank you to everyone who made it so memorable, and to the Mineral Pointers for being such gracious and inviting hosts. We can’t wait to return, and until then, we’ll carry the warmth of this gathering with us.  

Here’s to many more chapters together!