Nearly 60 of Minnesota's award-winning authors are fanning out across the state for tomorrow's "Authors for Minnesota Day."
The day is designed to support local independent bookstores while raising money for two organizations fighting for civil rights: the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota and the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota Immigration Rapid Response Fund.
They'll be donating and signing their work at 24 independent book stores to raise money for the organizations and to support small store owners who have stood up for their communities during the federal immigration crackdown.
Bestselling author Jess Lourey talked about the outpouring of support among her peers.
"Really everybody I reached out to was so invested, the writing community is very supportive of bookstores obviously, but also of community," Lourey said. "And so this is a way to to support both."
Book store visitors who make a donation to one of two social justice organizations will receive a free book.
"They'll donate 20 of one of their books and anybody who makes a donation on site, and just shows the donation on their cell phone, will get to pick a free book off that table," Lourey adds.
Almost immediately after they heard about the fundraiser, 54 authors and 24 bookstores were onboard, including Black Garnet Books in St. Paul.
"As an abolitionist and Black-owned bookstore, it has always been our responsibility to highlight the narratives and stories of those who are continually marginalized by systems of racism and oppression. It is our duty to fight for our community to be heard,” said owner Terresa Hardaway, PhD. “The federal occupation by the racist and xenophobic ICE organization in our state is just another system that we will continue to fight against. At Black Garnet Books, this means supporting those on the front lines of defense, supplying educational resources to our customers, protecting our neighbors, and hosting events like this one to raise awareness and to support our communities."
WHAT: Authors for Minnesota: A day of books, community, and support for immigrant rights
WHEN: 12 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026
WHERE: Avant Garden (Anoka), Big Hill Books (Minneapolis), Birchbark Books (Minneapolis), Black Garnet Books (St. Paul), Comma, a Bookshop (Minneapolis), Content Bookstore (Northfield), Cream & Amber (Hopkins), Drury Lane Books (Grand Marais), The Enchanted Quill (North Branch), Excelsior Bay Books (Excelsior), Hey Darling (Austin), Inkwell Booksellers (Minneapolis), Irreverent Bookworm (Minneapolis), Lake Country Booksellers (White Bear Lake), Moon Palace (Minneapolis), Next Chapter Booksellers (St. Paul), Niche Books (Lakeville), Once Upon a Crime (Minneapolis), Red Balloon (St. Paul), Scout and Morgan (Cambridge), Subtext (St. Paul), Tropes and Trifles (Minneapolis), Valley Bookseller (Stillwater), and Well Read Books (Elk River).