11th Annual Indie Author Book Expo

Join us as we celebrate 11 years of empowering reader and authors to build reading experiences! As always this event is free to the public and free goody bags are available while supplies last. They run out fasy so be sure to get there early! We will have the entire Valley Junction Activity Center full of authors, artists, and local eats. Meet new authors and say hey to your favorites, take home some art from vendors like Small Shire, and spend the hot day doing cool things! In 2026 our event will feature a Poetry Workshop guided by Des Moines Poetry Workshop Expert Kelsey Bigelow! She has been a poetry guru around the Midwest for as long as we’ve been around! Vendor, artist, and author lists will be out in March 2026 to help you plan your shopping experience! And this is a family event and we haven’t forgotten the kids! Kids get a free bag, full of fun and reading games. Enjoy vendors like Mommy and Me Sensory Play. And when you’re done with the IABE, the rest of the day is for exploring Historic Valley Junction, THEE tourist hotspot of West Des Moines!

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Host or Publisher Jenn Thompson