October 3-5, 2012

The Depot, Minneapolis, MN

Independent booksellers and their colleagues have something special to look forward to this fall. On the evening of Wednesday October 3, Garrison Keillor, host and writer of A Prairie Home Companion, author of numerous books, and owner of the independent bookstore Common Good Books, will be the first author to speak to attendees at the Heartland Fall Forum. Like all of the Forum's events, it will be held at The Depot, a historic train station turned hotel and conference center in downtown Minneapolis.  

 

"I couldn't imagine a more appropriate person to help us celebrate independent bookselling in the Midwest," says Carrie Obry, MIBA's executive director. Common Good Books (with the motto "Live Local, Read Large") is steadfastly independent, known for such quirks as a large poetry section for the size of the store. In April, Common Good is moving to a new storefront. According to the store's website, "The new, larger, sunnier location will let us bring even more great books to St. Paul readers. We'll also be able to expand our events schedule to bring you great authors from around the world." 

 

Garrison Keillor is best known for his hugely popular radio program A Prairie Home Companion, distributed via American Public Media. The show attracts more than 4 million listeners on more than 600 public radio stations weekly. He is the author of more than a dozen books, including the novels of Lake Wobegon, a fictional town modeled on small towns in the Midwest, and Guy Noir and the Straight Skinny (forthcoming May 2012).  

 

Keillor was born in Anoka, MN, in 1942 and graduated from the University of Minnesota. He lives in St. Paul with his wife and daughter. He has two grandsons. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts & Letters and the Episcopal church.