Organizers

Organizers

Kristy Stoyer

Kristy Stoyer grew up in Washington, MO where she is an active community volunteer. She has served on numerous boards including Downtown Washington, Inc., Missouri River Country, and the St. Francis Borgia Grade School Home & School Association. After spending 10 years as a publicist in the entertainment industry, she joined The Nature Conservancy and currently leads the nonprofit’s marketing and communication efforts in Missouri. She serves as chair of the Missouri Book Festival committee.

Josh Stevens

Josh Stevens is the co-founder of Reedy Press and a longtime publishing professional. Over the last 25 years, he has specialized in editorial work, new-title acquisitions, and book publicity. He currently serves as a publishing consultant while starting a new line of books that will feature narrative nonfiction and young-adult fiction with moral themes. For the festival, he looks forward to curating and coordinating a wide range of public programming that will excite readers of all ages.

Nelson Appell

Nelson Appell has been director of Washington Public Library since October 2019. In addition to nearly a decade of librarianship, he has worked in consulting, social-service fundraising, inventory management, and tourism. He is a board member of the Community Literacy Foundation and serves on the Franklin County Literacy Council. For this festival, he will coordinate author programming and facilitate the main stage events. He holds a B.S. in Economics from Willamette University and a Masters of Library and Information Science from the University of Washington.

Claire Nesch

Claire Nesch works as a production designer and digital marketing specialist at Reedy Press. Born and raised in St. Louis and a lover of books from an early age, she graduated with a B.A. in writing and graphic design from Fontbonne University. She manages the branding, promotional design, and digital marketing of the festival. In addition to her work at Reedy Press, she co-owns and operates an artisanal food business, Snack, with her husband, Keegan, in O’Fallon, Illinois.

Special Thanks

The Missouri Book Festival would like to thank the following individuals who make up the Missouri Center for the Book Advisory Committee for all their volunteer time and input in helping plan and coordinate 2022’s program lineup. 

  • Julius B Anthony, President, St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature
  • Nelson Appell, Director, Washington Public Library
  • Laura Dierberg Ayers, Attorney at Law, MH Board Member, and St. Louis County Library Foundation Board Member
  • James Baumlin, Distinguished Professor for Missouri State University and Former Missouri Center for the Book Board Member
  • Virginia Brackett, Author, Former Missouri Center for Book Board Member, and KC Veterans Writing Team Member
  • John Brenner, Managing Editor, The State Historical Society of Missouri
  • Dr. James Brubaker, Editor, Southeast Missouri State Press
  • Nicole Clawson, Manager Youth Services, St. Louis County Library
  • Betty Coleman, Retired PK-12 Educator/Administrator, Adjunct Professor, Consultant, and MH Board Member
  • Andrew Davidson, Editor in Chief, University of Missouri Press
  • Kristin Droege, Executive Director, Turn the Page KC
  • Nina Furstenau, Journalist, Author, and Editor
  • Lisa Greening, Project Director, Turn the Page STL
  • Alex George, Author, and Director, Unbound Book Festival
  • Sarah Howard, Youth & Community Services Manager, Daniel Boone Regional Library
  • Rev. Nicholas W. Inman, Director of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home & Museum and Executive Board Director, MH
  • Dawn Kitchell, Owner, Neighborhood Reads
  • Lauren Olson, Director of Community Programming, Turn the Page KC
  • Robin Rennison, Marketing Manager, University of Missouri Press
  • Virginia Sanders, Special Initiatives Coordinator, Missouri Arts Council
  • Katie Stover, Director of Reader’s Services, Kansas City Public Library
  • Josh Stevens, Owner, Reedy Press
  • Maryfrances Wagner, Author, Poet, and Missouri State Poet Laureate
  • Robin Westphal, Missouri State Librarian
  • Laura Williams, Adult and Community Services Manager & One Read, Daniel Boone Regional Library