Author Events
Pikes Peak Library District's author events offer exciting opportunities to connect with writers, discover new books, and engage with ideas that inspire. Whether attending virtually or in person, readers can enjoy thought-provoking conversations, author interviews, and interactive Q&A sessions with bestselling authors, emerging voices, and subject matter experts.
September's In-person Author Visits
Author Visit: Megan Kate Nelson
Join Pikes Peak Library District at Library 21c on Wed., Sept. 2 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. for an engaging conversation with author and historian Megan Kate Nelson as she discusses her new book, The Westerners: Mythmaking and Belonging on the American Frontier. Nelson’s eye-opening account centers on seven extraordinary individuals whose lives capture the true history of the frontier. Following the discussion, Nelson will take audience questions and sign books. Copies of The Westerners will be available for purchase from Poor Richard’s Books & Gifts during the event. This event is held in conjunction with All Pikes Peak Reads.
Register for the discussion on the All Pikes Peak Reads page »
All Pikes Peak Reads Selection: I'll Be Waiting For You by Mariko Turk
On Sat., Sept. 19 from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., go to Library 21c and join Mariko Turk as she talks about her book, I'll Be Waiting for You, a 2026 All Pikes Peak Reads selection. The story follows a teenager spending the summer at a supposedly haunted hotel in Estes Park, leading her to question whether the hotel’s ghost stories might be true. After the presentation, Mariko will be available to sign books and answer audience questions. Books will be sold by Poor Richard's Books & Gifts during the event.
Register for the discussion on the All Pikes Peak Reads page »
All Pikes Peak Reads Selection: Before I Lived Here by Stacy Jensen
On Sat., Sept. 26, head to Library 21c for a conversation with author Stacy Jensen, featuring her picture book Before I Lived Here, a 2026 All Pikes Peak Reads selection. Following the presentation, Stacy will be available to answer audience questions and sign copies of her book. Jensen will also be hosting a writing workshop after the event. Books will also be available for purchase from Poor Richard’s Books & Gifts during the event.
Register for the discussion on the All Pikes Peak Reads page »
September's Virtual Authors:
From space exploration to a music-filled virtual event for children, join PPLD during our virtual author talks for September.
The Democracy We Must Keep: Why the Ideas that Built America Still Matter with David O. Stewart
On Tue., Sept. 1, at noon, join award winning historian David O. Stewart as he discusses, The Democracy We Must Keep, and the question it explores, “What did America's founders say about democracy, and can we remain true to their vision for America?”
Writing the Nightmare: A Ship Called Sickness and One Unforgettable Space Crew with Daniel Kraus
On Tue., Sept. 8 at 5 p.m., join Daniel Kraus, a Pulitzer Prize-winning, New York Times bestselling writer, as he celebrates his new novel, The Sixth Nik. Prepare to journey into the darkest depths of deep space, and discuss his story about a mysterious spaceship, an unforgettable crew, and a terrifying secret. Get an inside look at Kraus’s creative process, his newest work, and the imagination behind some of today’s most visionary fiction.
All Pikes Peak Reads Selection: More About Will's Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes
On Sat., Sept. 12, from 11 a.m. - noon, join award-winning and bestselling author Dr. Jewell Parker Rhodes for a special virtual author visit featuring her acclaimed novel Will’s Race for Home, a 2026 All Pikes Peak Reads selection. Set during the 1889 Oklahoma Land Rush, the book follows a young Black boy and his father as they journey from Texas to Oklahoma in search of freedom, land, and a place to call home. During this virtual event, Dr. Rhodes will discuss her book, share insights into her writing, and answer questions from the audience.
On Tue., Sept. 24, at 5 p.m., get ready for a fun, music-filled event with Latin GRAMMY-winning musician and author Lucky Diaz! Learn more about his bilingual picture book, Paletero Man, a colorful story that brings together music, culture, neighborhood life, and the excitement of chasing down the paletero on a hot summer day. In this joyful story, Diaz highlights the importance of community and the connections that bring us together.
Register for this event »
Diaz is also doing a second event in Spanish.
Register for the second event »
Upcoming Virtual Author Visits in October:
- Thu., Oct.1, at 5 p.m.: Courage, Choice, and What Comes Next with Dystopian Icon and #1 New York Times and International Bestselling Author Veronica Roth
- Thu., Oct. 8, at noon: Art in Flight: Reinventing Postmodernism with Smithsonian Curator Carolyn Russo
- Thu., Oct. 22 at 5 p.m.: Ghosts, Grief, and Growing Up: YA Storytelling with Cherie Dimaline, Bestselling and Award-Winning Author of The Marrow Thieves and Empire of Wild