The 13th annual Humanities Montana Festival of the Book celebrates the literature of the West bringing over 70 authors to downtown Missoula. Two days and three nights of readings, panels, exhibits, demonstrations, signings, workshops, entertainments, receptions, and other special events are free and open to the public. The 2012 festival features a gala reading with award-winning authors Ivan Doig, Pam Houston, and Patrick deWitt, and a joint presentation by Colin Meloy (of Decemberists fame) and Carson Ellis about their award-winning Wildwood Chronicles for young adults.