Community in Every Page: What we heard at Proof: A Midwest Lit Fest

It’s not very often that lovers of literature — individuals who spend their lives devoted to reading, writing, annotating, interacting, and connecting with words — all convene in the same place, at the same time, all equally open to sharing their art and their love for the art with others.

That’s what Proof: A Midwest Lit Fest offered midwestern literature fanatics for the first time in a long time. For some attendees, like me, it was the first time they had ever even attended a literary festival, and somehow, that made it even better.

Everywhere you looked, old and new friends remarked over how “needed” the event had been for so long.

It was clear everyone was there for a different reason. Some spent the whole festival camped out in the writing workshop area, investing in their craft. Others bopped from one bookstore booth to another, filling their tote bags with any books they could get their hands on. Some children even participated, sitting in on storytimes on the Harrison Center lawn or playing with stamps.

As a storytelling intern for Indiana Humanities, the organization tasked with putting on the inaugural festival with community organizers and authors Chantel Massey and Mitchell L.H. Douglas, I was one of the few lucky enough to spend my day capturing the festival through the eyes of others.

Scrolling through my photos, I was hard pressed to find a photo of someone not smiling or not thoroughly engaged in conversation. Every room felt electric.

The writers in the room looked inspired.

The readers in the room looked like the worlds they’d imagined were made reality.

The ones in between looked like they were feeling a little bit of everything, whether they were supporting the authors in their life, or going just to check out the book fair.

These feelings are reflected in the testimonials we’ve heard since the event. In short, people loved it just as much as I did:

“I laughed, got teary, gave hugs, accepted compliments, and refused to feel jealous,” freelance writer Dawn Olsen shared.

“Was a lovely day! Thrilled for Indiana Humanities and this inaugural fest. Was definitely what my brain needed. Lots of ideas, reading material, hugging friends, and being present in a beautiful day and space. And, tacos!” eventgoer Danielle Dove said.

“Crazy weekend at Proof: A Midwest Lit Fest! I had the wonderful opportunity to read with Doug Paul Case and Nancy Chen Long to celebrate A Flame Called Indiana! Signed a few books. Then I got to say hi to Adrian, a mentor and friend I haven’t seen in forever,” poet and panelist Samantha Fain shared.

“Thrilled I got to participate in a festival like this—who would’ve thought I’d get to achieve some of my dreams!! Thank you Doug, Chantel Massey, Mitchell Douglas, Indiana Humanities, and Indiana Authors Awards! As well as Dream Palace Books & Coffee and Tomorrow Bookstore and everyone else who helped make the day so special. 16-year-old Sam would be so proud of me.”

“Thank you, @inhumanities @tomorrowbookstore @jakebudler for having me at the inaugural Proof: A Midwest Lit Fest! Such a fantastic event. It must become an annual tradition,” author Karol Lagodzki said.

“To the writers & Indiana Humanities at Proof: A Midwest Lit Fest: 

Thank you for inviting us to bring the fleet & ink! From dawn to dusk, today was absolute Proof that our the Midwest (Indianapolis, to be exact) knows how to throw a Lit Fest. Every ounce of hard work of staff and volunteers paid off, with connections that will span a lifetime— and words at its axis,” writer and typewriter restorer Siren Hand said.

“It doesn’t get much better than that.

#WeAreProof”

“Proof was the right name for the inaugural Midwest Litfest this past Saturday: it did prove that literary life in Indy is thriving and persistent, and that exciting convergences are taking shape here. Kudos and much gratitude to @_chantel.massey, @dug_last, and @inhumanities for bringing together so many writers, poets, and curators!” Michelle Niemann, co-organizer of Nightjar open mic at Tube factory.

“You build the beauty you want to see. You find like minds, dream, & work together to make it happen. We are remarkable & capable,” Proof co-organizer Mitchell L.H. Douglas said. “Thank you to my creative partner @_chantel.massey, @inhumanities, Naptown & the Midwest (who showed up & showed out yesterday for Proof: A Midwest Lit Fest. We love & appreciate this community.”

You can view photos from Proof: A Midwest Lit Fest here.