February 1, 2025

SDHC is now accepting applications to host Rebecca Clarren, author of The Cost of Free Land: Jews, Lakota and an American Inheritance, on her 2025 One Book Author Tour. Applications are open through Friday, February 14 for events in early May.

Clarren, who lives in Oregon but spent a great deal of time in South Dakota researching her ancestors’ stories for this book, is excited to return to the state this spring, when she will speak face-to-face about personal and regional history with as many readers as possible.

“What an honor for The Cost of Free Land to be selected as the One Book South Dakota for this year,” Clarren said. “I hope South Dakota readers will deepen their connection to this remarkable state through learning more about our entangled history.”

To learn more about hosting a One Book Author Tour Event, read on.

What Is the One Book Author Tour?

The tour is your chance to host Rebecca Clarren, author of the 2025 One Book South Dakota, The Cost of Free Land: Jews, Lakota and an American Inheritance. To promote exploration of the book’s themes, Clarren will visit communities throughout the state in May, leading up to a keynote appearance at the South Dakota Festival of Books in Spearfish, September 26-28.

Who Can Host a One Book Author Tour Event?

SDHC invites libraries, museums, educational organizations, churches, and other cultural or community groups to apply for a chance to host Rebecca Clarren. Up to eight communities will be selected to host One Book Author Tour events. The selection of host communities will consider Clarren’s schedule and travel requirements, as well as overall geographic balance and hosts’ commitment to reaching the public.

Host Organization Responsibilities:

• STRONGLY ENCOURAGED: Apply to host a One Book Discussion Program, which allows you to borrow books from SDHC lending library and, if desired, engage an SDHC scholar to lead the discussion. Discussion program applications are available at https://sdhumanities.org/one-book-sd/ (If you host a One Book discussion, SDHC will waive the $50 fee for the author tour.)
• If selected for a One Book Author Tour event – and NOT also hosting a One Book Discussion Program – submit $50 grant application fee to SDHC.
• Host the tour event at a location that is open and accessible to the public.
• Identify at least one staff member or volunteer to serve as the local Project Coordinator .
• Contribute in-kind support (volunteer time, space rental, supplies, publicity, etc.) valued at $250 or more.
• Promote the event within a 50-mile radius of the community.
• Acknowledge funding from SDHC, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
• IF POSSIBLE, arrange for a local bookstore to sell books during and after the event.
• Following the event, complete an evaluation survey for SDHC

Host Organizations Receive:

• EIGHT copies of The Cost of Free Land (above and beyond any books received on loan for your One Book Discussion Program) to promote the tour event, to give away, or to keep as a book club set
• Resource toolkit of promotional materials (sample news releases, posters, author bio and photo, etc.)
• Clarren’s travel, lodging, and other expenses paid directly by SDHC

APPLY by 11:59 PM on FRIDAY, FEBRUARY  14: https://sdhumanities.wufoo.com/forms/pj82tzu1wstwbu/

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