The University of Arizona Press
February 8, 2024
Join us for the 2024 Tucson Festival of Books on March 9th and 10th! We will be setting up shop on the University of Arizona campus for a weekend of literary fun.
We are thrilled to have a wide variety of authors presenting on panels and signing books in our booth this year. Stop by booth #242 to browse our amazing books and get them signed by the authors below. All books will be 25% off during the festival, and as always, we’ll have our ever-popular $5 book shelf.
Take a look at the schedule below to find out where and when you can meet our authors, or view the complete Tucson Festival of Books schedule. We look forward to seeing you at the festival!
Book Signing Schedule
Saturday, March 9
10:00 AM: Judith X. Becerra, author of Elephant Trees, Copales, and Cuajiotes
11:00 AM: Daisy Ocampo, author of Where We Belong
12:00 PM: Simon J. Ortiz, author of Light as Light
12:30 PM: Dante S. Lauretta, Catherine W. V. Wolner & Carina A. Bennett, authors of Bennu 3-D
1:00 PM: Shelby Tisdale & A. Thomas Cole, authors of No Place for a Lady & Restoring the Pitchfork Ranch
2:00 PM: Tim Z. Hernandez & Reyes Ramirez , authors of All They Will Call You & Book of Wanderers
Sunday, March 10
10:00 AM: Diego Báez, author of Yaguareté White
11:00 AM: Diane D. Dittemore, author of Woven from the Center
1:00 PM: Tom Zoellner, author of Rim to River
2:00 PM: Stephen J. Pyne, author of Pyrocene Park
Panel Schedule – Saturday, March 9th
10:00 AM
| Title: | Intersections of Verse y Voz |
| Location: | Nuestras Raíces Stage |
| Date/Time: | Saturday, 10:00 am to 11:00 am |
| Panelists: | Mari Herreras, Simon Ortiz, Brandon Som |
| Moderators: | Melo Dominguez |
| Genres: | Nuestras Raices, Poetry |
| Signing Area: | Pima County Public Library/Nuestras Raíces/Craft Tent & Signing Area |
| Description: | Discover the work of these poets with Southwestern roots who explore the intersection of language, identity, and place in their writing. |
| Title: | Unearthing Legacies |
| Location: | WNPA Stage |
| Date/Time: | Saturday, 10:00 am to 11:00 am |
| Panelists: | Melissa Sevigny, Shelby Tisdale |
| Moderators: | Marie Buck |
| Genres: | Nature / Environment |
| Signing Area: | Sales & Signing Area – National Parks |
| Description: | Embark on a captivating journey as you hear the authors tell two remarkable stories. Discover the trailblazing life of Marjorie Ferguson Lambert, a pioneer in southwestern archaeology, and then brace yourself for the daring 1938 expedition of botanists Elzada Clover and Lois Jotter as they braved the treacherous Colorado River. Learn about these untold adventures and resilience of these women that helped shape the American West. |
| Title: | The Wonders of Bennu |
| Location: | Science City – Main Stage |
| Date/Time: | Saturday, 10:00 am to 11:00 am |
| Panelists: | Carina Bennett, Dante Lauretta, Cat Wolner |
| Moderators: | Jennifer Casteix |
| Genres: | Science / Medicine / Technology |
| Signing Area: | Sales & Signing Area – Science City |
| Description: | The authors of “Bennu 3-D” share the story of OSIRIS-REx and Bennu through vivid descriptions and extraordinary photos. Listeners and readers of the book will feel like they are right there exploring along with the scientists. |
11:30 AM
| Title: | Dual Identities in the Americas |
| Location: | Student Union Kiva |
| Date/Time: | Saturday, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm |
| Panelists: | Diego Báez, Manuel López, Reyes Ramirez |
| Moderators: | Estella González |
| Genres: | Poetry |
| Signing Area: | Sales & Signing Area – UA Bookstore, Main Floor |
| Description: | Three experimental poets discuss how their Salvadoran, Paraguayan, and Mexican heritage has impacted their poetry and their lives. |
1:00 PM
| Title: | Restoring Indigenous Heritage |
| Location: | WNPA Stage |
| Date/Time: | Saturday, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm |
| Panelists: | Daisy Ocampo, Jared Orsi |
| Moderators: | Jacelle Ramon-Sauberan |
| Genres: | Nature / Environment |
| Signing Area: | Sales & Signing Area – National Parks |
| Description: | Join these two insightful authors for a profound discussion as they explore the preservation of the land and its people. Discover the connection between ecological sustainability, spiritual landscapes, and community well-being in a conversation that reaches beyond the border of time and tradition. |
2:30
| Title: | Looking Beyond the Stars |
| Location: | Science City – Main Stage |
| Date/Time: | Saturday, 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm |
| Panelists: | Dante Lauretta, Aomawa Shields |
| Moderators: | Carmala Garzione |
| Genres: | Science / Medicine / Technology |
| Signing Area: | Sales & Signing Area – Science City |
| Description: | Award-winning space scientists Aomawa Shields and Dante Lauretta sit down with Science Dean Carmala Garzione and share the stories that shaped them to do the extraordinary. |
4:00 PM
| Title: | Nature’s Revival |
| Location: | WNPA Stage |
| Date/Time: | Saturday, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm |
| Panelists: | A. Thomas Cole, Curtis Freese |
| Moderators: | Jessica Moreno |
| Genres: | Nature / Environment |
| Signing Area: | Sales & Signing Area – National Parks |
| Description: | Have you ever wondered how you can help the environment? Listen as these two remarkable individuals, dedicated to ecosystem restoration, share their experiences and inspiration for renewing unique habitats. Discover how we can all contribute to a sustainable and thriving future. |
Panel Schedule – Sunday, March 10
10:00 AM
| Title: | Tales from the Trail |
| Location: | WNPA Stage |
| Date/Time: | Sunday, 10:00 am – 11:00 am |
| Panelists: | Suzanne Roberts, Tom Zoellner |
| Moderators: | Wendy Lotze |
| Genres: | Nature / Environment |
| Signing Area: | Sales & Signing Area – National Parks |
| Description: | Explore the profound journey of these two authors as they share tales of inspiration, contemplation, and realization. Discover how the trails they traveled became more than a physical experience, but a symbolic connection on a path to greater understanding. |
11:30 AM
| Title: | A Celebration of Southwest Poetry |
| Location: | Student Union Kiva |
| Date/Time: | Sunday, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm |
| Panelists: | Tommy Archuleta, Mari Herreras, Simon Ortiz, Brandon Som |
| Moderators: | Gregory McNamee |
| Genres: | Poetry |
| Signing Area: | Sales & Signing Area – UA Bookstore, Main Floor |
| Description: | Today we will celebrating the top works of poetry as judged by the Southwest Books of the Year Award. These four accomplished poets will share the inspiration for their work that is deeply rooted in the Southwest. |
1:00 PM
| Title: | What’s New Latino Poetry |
| Location: | Student Union Kiva |
| Date/Time: | Sunday, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm |
| Panelists: | Diego Báez, Tim Z. Hernandez, Reyes Ramirez |
| Moderators: | Paola Valenzuela |
| Genres: | Poetry |
| Signing Area: | Sales & Signing Area – UA Bookstore, Main Floor |
| Description: | In this session we will invite three popular poets to discuss their approach to contemporary themes of Latino identity. |
2:30 PM
| Title: | Iconic Southwest Poets in Conversation |
| Location: | Student Union Kiva |
| Date/Time: | Sunday, 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm |
| Panelists: | Simon Ortiz, Ofelia Zepeda |
| Moderators: | Paola Valenzuela |
| Genres: | Poetry |
| Signing Area: | Sales & Signing Area – UA Bookstore, Main Floor |
| Description: | Iconic Indigenous poets Simon J. Ortiz and Ofelia Zepeda discuss their poetic journeys. |
| Title: | Distinctively Arizona |
| Location: | UA Library/Special Collections |
| Date/Time: | Sunday, 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm |
| Panelists: | Virgil Hancock III, Tom Holm, Tom Zoellner |
| Moderators: | Mark Athitakis |
| Genres: | Southwest Books of the Year |
| Signing Area: | Sales & Signing Area – Integrated Learning Center |
| Description: | Iconic Indigenous poets Simon J. Ortiz and Ofelia Zepeda discuss their poetic journeys. |
4:00 PM
| Title: | Discovering Arizona |
| Location: | Student Union Santa Rita |
| Date/Time: | Sunday, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm |
| Panelists: | Chels Knorr, Roger Naylor, Tom Zoellner |
| Moderators: | Kelly Vaughn |
| Genres: | Memoir / Essays / Creative Nonfiction, Nature / Environment |
| Signing Area: | Sales & Signing Area – UA BookStore Tent |
| Description: | Are you interested in exploring the Grand Canyon State? These three authors have been there and done that. What is more, they love talking about it, and will be happy to recommend their favorite places to hike and explore. |
For the full festival schedule, click here.
