Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl
Saturday, September 13, 2025
About the Event
The 2025 Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl will feature over 120 authors, artists, performers, and panelists in over 40 events across downtown Reno on Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Be part of a joyful day of panel discussions, book signings, performances, workshops, and family-friendly activities that celebrates the written word in all of its forms. All events take place at local businesses and organizations throughout the California Avenue corridor and Downtown Reno. The Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl is free and open to participants of all ages.
RSVP for free to let us know that you plan to attend the day-long Crawl and receive updates ahead of the event. Attendees need to reserve tickets separately for the Keynote Event featuring Willy Vlautin (11:00 am–12:15 pm).
Keynote Event:
A Conversation with Willy Vlautin
11:00 am – 12:15 pm, followed by a book signing event
Nightingale Sky Room, Nevada Museum of Art
Author Willy Vlautin returns home to Reno as the keynote author for the 2025 Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl. Winner of the Joyce Carol Oats literary prize, Vlautin will discuss his work and his latest novel The Horse with former Nevada Poet Laureate Gailmarie Pahmeier. A moderated Q&A session and a book signing will follow the keynote event. Tickets are required for admission. Limit of one ticket reservation per person.
About Nevada Humanities
For nearly 55 years, Nevada Humanities has connected Nevadans and amplified Nevada’s stories. In April, the National Endowment for the Humanities drastically cut our budget by 75%. Even so, we are moving forward with the 2025 Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl to give back to our communities who has continued to support us throughout this crisis.
Help us continue bringing vital arts and culture programming like the Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl — free and accessible to everyone. Consider supporting Nevada Humanities with a donation today during a special matching challenge: your gift will be matched 1:1 until we raise $50,000.
Free Workshops
Write Lyrics! A Workshop for Young Songwriters
1:00 – 2:00 pm
E.L. Cord Classroom, Lake Mansion, Arts for All Nevada
Let the lyrics flow! Join J Vineyard and Casey Bell of G.I.R.L.S. Rock Reno for an exciting opportunity for young songwriters to learn the craft of lyric writing.
This is a free workshop. No registration required. Limited spaces available.
Book Binding and Letterpress Workshop with Black Rock Press
1:00 – 2:00 pm
Studio B, E.L. Cord Museum School, Nevada Museum of Art
In this hands-on session, participants will design and letterpress print a bold single word onto a cover sheet, then learn the basics of pamphlet stitch binding to assemble a multi-page booklet. By the end of the hour, each participant will leave with their own hand-bound creation. Led by Ashley Fuchs.
This is a free workshop. Registration is required. Limit one reservation per person.
Wild Western Wordsmiths
2:15 – 3:15 pm
E.L. Cord Classroom, Lake Mansion, Arts for All Nevada
Calling all writers and poets aged 18 to 26 (or thereabouts)! Join local creative and fellow writer Reena Spansail and learn how to court your muse to keep your creative juices flowing—even when writer's block stands in the way.
This is a free workshop. No registration required. Limited spaces available.
Featured Authors, Artists, and Performers
Over 120 authors, artists, and performers will join the 2025 Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl. To learn more about them and to see a full schedule of their scheduled sessions and book signing events, download the free Conf.app smartphone app on iOS and Android and search for Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl.
Not pictured above: Elvira Díaz, Tristan Duke, Iyana Esters, Tia Flores, William Fox, Debra Harry, Jonathon Keats, Amber Lehning, Louis Niebur, Sean O'Neil, Aidan Orozco, Griffin Peralta, Sandra Quiroz, Timothy Rhodes, Colin Robertson, Joseph Sanpietro, and William A. Van Loon.
Venues
1864 Tavern (290 California Avenue)
The Lake Mansion, Arts for All Nevada (250 Court Street)
Bibo Coffee Downtown (460 South Sierra Street)
The Collaboratory at The Discovery (490 South Center Street)
Downtown Reno Library (301 South Center Street)
Great Basin Community Food Co-op (240 Court Street)
Nevada Museum of Art (160 West Liberty Street)
RareTea, The Wheyfarer, Elixir Superfood & Juice (24 California Avenue)
Sierra Arts Foundation (17 South Virginia Street)
Sponsors and Community Partners
Become a Sponsor
Each year, the Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl brings hundreds of literature, arts, and humanities enthusiasts to Reno for this signature event—the largest literary festival in northern Nevada. Align your brand with this unique event and enhance your reach in the Reno-Sparks community.
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact George Tsz-Kwan Lam, Nevada Humanities Assistant Director, at glam@nevadahumanities.org or 775-784-6537.
Special Thanks
David Walker, Colin Robertson, and the Nevada Museum of Art
Emelie Williams and the John Ben Snow Memorial Trust
Tim Young and Arts for All Nevada
The Downtown Reno Library and the Washoe County Library System
Liz Mumford, Kellee Morgado, and Mabble Media
Brian Duggan, Theresa Reilly, and KUNR Public Radio
Ilya Arbatman, Rosie Zuckerman, and The Radical Cat
Britt Curtis, Alana Berglund, and The Holland Project
Colette LaBouff, Charlotte Wyatt, and the Black Mountain Institute
Artists Lindsay Dimitri and Meredith Solin who generously provided artwork for the program guide
Media Inquiries
For media inquiries, please contact George Tsz-Kwan Lam, Nevada Humanities Assistant Director, at glam@nevadahumanities.org or 775-784-6537.
Past Events
Revisit the Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl through the years.
2024 Nevada Humanities
Literary Crawl
2022 Nevada Humanities
Literary Crawl
2019 Nevada Humanities
Literary Crawl
2018 Nevada Humanities
Literary Crawl
2017 Nevada Humanities
Literary Crawl