Author Michael Kleber-Diggs handing a signed copy of his book back to an attendee.

The In Print Festival of First Books is a two-day celebration of literary writing and publishing. The first night features a reading by writers from three genres (fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction) who have just published their debut books. For the second night these writers are joined by an editor or publisher from a small press or literary journal for a panel discussion on literary editing and publishing. This event is free and open to the public. No registration necessary.

What Makes This Event Unique?

  • The participating In Print authors, having just published their first books, offer practical advice about the journey from “creative writing student” to “published author.”
  • In addition to our writers, our participating In Print editor visits our creative writing classrooms and offers students direct insight into various types of literary careers and the ins and outs of literary editing and publishing.
  • Our students read and study the work of our In Print authors in preparation for the opportunity to talk one-on-one with them in our creative writing classes.
  • In addition to hosting a standing-room-only reading the first night (200+ from Ball State and the Muncie area typically attend), In Print also features a “Panel on Publishing” on the second night that enables students and the community to learn more about paths to publication.

The In Print Festival of First Books

"A Brief History of In Print" by founder Jill Christman

In Print XXI (March 25-26, 2026) will feature fiction writer Geoff Peck, creative nonfiction writer Nicole Graev Lipson, and poet Yalie Saweda Kamara, with special guest editor Ron Mitchell. InPrint XXI will also host class visits.

In Print XX (March 19-20, 2025) will feature poet Matt Hart, creative nonfiction writer Alysia Sawchyn, and fiction writer Jay Coles, with special guest editor Gretchen Stetler. InPrint XX will also host the In Print Showcase, emceed by authors and alumni Ashley C. Ford and J.R. Jamison.

Flyer for In Print XIX Festival of First Books. Flyer has headshots of each author as well as event information.

In Print XIX (March 19-20, 2024) will feature poet Kemi Alabi, creative nonfiction writer Brittany Means, and fiction writer Oindrila Mukherjee, with special guest editor Anne Trubek. For the schedule of class visits for 2024's In Print Festival, please click here.

In Print XVIII (March 28-29, 2023) will feature poet Michael Kleber-Diggs, creative nonfiction writer Prince Shakur, and fiction writer Jasmine Sawers, with special guest editor Ira Sukrungruang. Read more about In Print XVIII here.

In Print XVII (2022) featured poet Ananda Lima, fiction writer Dionne Irving, and creative nonfiction writer J.R. Jamison, with special guest editor Abigail Cloud.

In Print XVI (2021) featured poet Joy Priest, fiction writer Nancy Wayson Dinan, and creative nonfiction writer Alysia Li Ying Sawchyn, with special guest editor Suzi F. Garcia.

While the 2020 festival was ultimately cancelled due to the pandemic, we were fortunate to read the work of these amazing first-book artists in our classes that year: creative nonfiction writer Noam Dorr, fiction writer Hadley Moore, and poet Jake Skeets.


In Print XIV (2019) featured poet Chen Chen, fiction writer Maria Romasco Moore, creative nonfiction writer Dustin Parsons, with special guest editor Allison Joseph.
 

In Print XIII (2018) featured poet Carolina Ebeid, fiction writer Nick White, and creative nonfiction writer Jan Shoemaker, with special guest editor Kristen Eilas Rowley.

In Print XII (2017) featured poet Iliana Rocha, fiction writer Sequoia Nagamatsu, and creative nonfiction writer Dan Raeburn, with special guest poet and editor Mary Biddinger.

In Print XI (2016) featured fiction writer Gabriel Urza, nonfiction writer Sarah Einstein, poet Sarah Blake, and editor Keith Tuma.

In Print X (2015) featured authors Celeste Ng, Tyler Gobble, Kerry Howley, with guest editor and author Jodee Stanley.

In Print IX (2014) featured authors Mario Alberto Zambrano, Natalie Shapero, T Fleischmann, with guest editor and author Jodee Stanley.

In Print VIII (2013) featured authors Eugene Cross, Elena Passarello, Marcus Wicker, with guest editor and author Sarah Wells.

In Print VII (2012) featured authors Caitlin Horrocks, Glenn Shaheen, Bonnie J. Rough, and special guest Christopher Newgent of Vouched Books.

In Print VI (2011) featured authors Tina May Hall, Paul Killebrew, Debra Gwartney, and the editor of Artifice magazine, James Tadd Adcox.

In Print V (2010) featured authors Mary Miller, Mitchell Douglas, Kao Kalia Yang, and editor Matt Bell.

In Print IV (2009) featured authors Nickole Brown, Laurie Lindeen, and Kyle Minor, and editor Mehdi Okasi.

In Print III (2007) featured authors Alan DeNiro, David Griffith, and Sharmila Voorakkara, as well as editor Tracy Truels.

In Print II (2006) featured authors Joy Castro, poet Victoria Chang, Ander Monson, and special guest editor Nickole Brown.

In Print I (2005) featured authors Amy Benson, Nickole Brown, Christopher Coake, Cynie Cory, and Brad Land.