2023-2024
October 3: Dorothy Rosby, humor columnist
2022-23
October 25: Craig Johnson, novelist
2021-22
October 12: Shawn Otto, novelist, scientist
2020-21
October 13: Patricia Hampl, memoirist
2019-20
October 29: Julie Schumacher, novelist, satirist, young adult author
2018-19
October 9: Charles Baxter, novelist, short stories, non-fiction
2017-18
October 10: Sarah Stonich, novelist, memoirist
2016-17
October 4: Joy Castro, memoirist, essayist, mystery writer
2015-16
September 29: John T. Price, memoirist, creative non-fiction
2014-15
October 9: William Kent Krueger, mystery writer, novelist
2013-14
September 24: Rick Steves, travel writer
2012-13
October 9: Catherine Friend, memoirist, children's author
2011-12
September 29: Eric Dregni, non-fiction
2010-11
October 21: Mary Logue, poet, mystery writer [CANCELLED]
Patrick Hicks, poet, short story writer
2009-10
October 20: Dan O'Brien, non-fiction, novelist, short story writer
2008-09
October 16: Larry Watson, novelist
2007-08
September 27: Catherine Watson, travel writer
2006-07
September 23: Ted Kooser, poet
October 12: Nathan Jorgenson, novelist
2005-06
October 13: Susan Power, novelist
2004-05
October 14: Bill Holm, poet, essayist, musician
2003-04
October 14: Ben Mikaelsen, children's author
2002-03
October 17: Kent Meyers, essayist, novelist, short story writer
2001-02
October 16: Paul Gruchow, essayist, naturalist [CANCELLED]
2000-01
October 10: Lorna Landvik, fiction
1999-00
October 21: Warren Hanson, illustrator, author, musician
1998-99
October 8: Paul Nagel, historian and biographer
March 18: Dr. Michael Oldstone, physician and author
1997-98
October 21: Paul Strassels, non-fiction
April 21: Faith Sullivan, novelist
1996-97
October 22: Jon Hassler, novelist
April 8: Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve, fiction/non-fiction
1995-96
October 26: Rebecca Johnson, non-fiction
April 18: Dr. Helmer Mykelbust, non-fiction
1994-95
October 20: Douglas Wood, essayist, singer
April 4: J. Anthony Lukas, non-fiction
May 9: Garrison Keillor, essayist
1993-94
October 19: Susan Allen Toth, non-fiction
May 3: Michael Doane, novelist
1992-93
October 20: William Least Heat Moon, non-fiction
March 25 Betty Jean Steinshower as Willa Cather
1991-92
October 15: Nancy Duncan, storyteller
April 2: Gov. George Mickelson
1990-91
November 1: Pat Conroy, novelist
May 2: Will Waver, novelist
1989-90
September 28: Dr. Sally Roesch Wagner as Alice Pickles
April 19: Howard Mohr, essayist and humorist
1989-89
September 23: Tom Roberts as Will Rogers
March 9: Madeleine L'Engle, fiction/non-fiction
April 27: Kim Ode, columnist
1987-88
October 15: Edward Albee, playwright
April 28: Linda Hasselstrom, poet
1986-87
October 2: Peter Somerville-Large, non-fiction
October 16: Tea in the Morning, Irish musical performance
November 3: Dr. Chester Anderson, non-fiction
November 21: An Evening with Shaw: the Comedies, drama
December 4: Dr. Lawrence McCaffrey, non-fiction
January 13: Clairseach, Irish musical performance
February 18: Arthur Schlesinger Jr., non-fiction
April 30: Verlyn Kinkenborg, essayist
1985-86
September 28: Robert Bly, poet
April 29: Judith Mattison, non-fiction
1884-85
November 5: Chaim Potok, novelist
May 1: Lynn Albright, columnist
1983-84
May 24: Dave Wood, Columnist for Minneapolis Star & Tribune