Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Michael Ivery

We recently had the chance to connect with Michael Ivery and have shared our conversation below.

Michael , a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
What I’m most proud of building isn’t something people can see right away; it’s the sense of community energy that forms behind the scenes. The late-night planning, the countless emails, the “what if we could actually pull this off?” moments. It’s the feeling that something special is growing quietly before it takes shape, the kind of creative heartbeat that fuels everything from the Scottsdale Book Festival to the stories we love. Most people will only see the tents, the authors, and the excitement on festival day, but what they don’t see is the belief that built it.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m the founder and creative mind behind the Scottsdale Book Festival, a one-day celebration of books, authors, and community taking place at the Scottsdale Civic Center in January 2026. My background has always revolved around creativity, from producing large-scale events to creating stories and characters for children’s media. This festival feels like the perfect intersection of everything I love: storytelling, community, and bringing people together.

What makes the Scottsdale Book Festival special is that it’s more than a book fair; it’s a community experience. We’re blending literature with Scottsdale’s lively, outdoor atmosphere, with hundreds of authors, live entertainment, food, and family activities all in one space. It’s about celebrating creativity in every form, whether you’re an author, a reader, or someone who loves the magic of stories.

I think what I’m most proud of is how quickly people have connected to the idea. From the local authors and publishers to families and small businesses, everyone sees the value in creating something positive and lasting for Arizona’s literary scene. It’s exciting to watch it grow from an idea into something that’s going to fill downtown Scottsdale with energy, books, and inspiration.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
There was a time when I felt completely lost about what direction I was headed creatively. I had all these ideas, books, art, music, culture, events, but no clear way to tie them together. That period forced me to slow down, look inward, and rebuild from purpose instead of pressure. That shift completely changed how I see the world. I learned that everything connects when it comes from a genuine place, and that’s how the Scottsdale Book Festival was born: not from ambition, but from heart.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell him to hold on to his imagination, fiercely!. The world will try to make you trade it in for something practical, but that spark is the thing that will guide you, even when you can’t see the path ahead. Don’t rush it. The ideas that feel too big or too strange now are the ones that will shape your future.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
The cultural value I protect at all costs is belonging. Whether it’s through creativity, books, or community events, I believe everyone deserves to feel like they have a place at the table. When people from different backgrounds, voices, and experiences come together, something powerful happens: stories expand, perspectives shift, and empathy grows. That’s the kind of culture I want to protect and keep building, both in my work and in my everyday life.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m creating, when it’s just me, a sketchbook, or a blank page, and an idea starts to take shape. It’s that quiet space where time slows down and everything else fades. There’s no noise, no deadlines, just imagination finding its rhythm again. That’s where I recharge and remember why I do what I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ScotttsdaleBookFestival.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ScottsdaleBookFestival
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScottsdaleBookFestival

Image Credits
Scottsdale Book Festival