BookPeople Presents: An Evening with Isaac Fitzgerald

BookPeople is rolling out the literary red carpet for a very special evening with Isaac Fitzgerald, joined in conversation by acclaimed journalist Pamela Colloff. If you love memoir, travel writing, American folklore, or just a good, big-hearted story, this is a night to circle in ink on your calendar.

On June 2, 2026 at 7:00 pm, Isaac will be talking about his new book, American Rambler: Walking the Trail of Johnny Appleseed, a soulful, boots-on-the-ground journey that follows the legendary Appleseed’s path from Massachusetts to Indiana. Expect a conversation that roams from history and myth to grief, family, faith, and the strange beauty of the American road.

Fitzgerald turns a childhood fascination with Johnny Appleseed into a year-long walk and a deeply personal reckoning. Along the way there are grimy gas-station bathrooms, quiet apple orchards, roadside oddities, and small-town encounters that add up to a vivid portrait of the American heartland. It’s part memoir, part travelogue, part meditation on how stories—family legends, national myths, and the tales we tell ourselves—shape who we become.

Guiding the conversation is Pamela Colloff, a master of long-form narrative journalism and true crime. Known for her meticulous reporting and powerful storytelling for ProPublica and The New York Times Magazine, she brings a sharp eye for character, ethics, and emotional truth. Together, Fitzgerald and Colloff are perfectly matched for a deep, funny, and thoughtful discussion about storytelling, memory, and what it means to put your body on the line for a book.

• Event: BookPeople Presents: An Evening with Isaac Fitzgerald – American Rambler
• Date & Time: June 2, 2026, at 7:00 pm
• Format: Conversation + audience Q&A, followed by a signing line
• Cost: Free and open to the public

After the talk, Isaac will be signing and personalizing copies of American Rambler and his other books. To hop in the signing line, you’ll need to purchase the event book (or an item of equal value) from BookPeople, which helps support the store and keeps big-name authors coming back to Austin.

BookPeople’s second floor transforms into a cozy literary living room for evenings like this—expect rows of book-loving locals, a relaxed vibe, and the kind of spontaneous, smart questions that only happen at in-person events. Seating is first-come, first-served, so it’s worth arriving early if you want a prime spot and a shorter wait in the signing line.

Whether you’re already a fan of Dirtbag, Massachusetts, a true-crime reader who follows Colloff’s work, or just curious about a walk across America in the footsteps of a folk legend, this event is a chance to hear how a big, ambitious book comes to life—directly from the people who made it happen.

Come for the stories, stay for the conversation, and leave with a signed book and a fresh itch to hit the road yourself.