Dordt University will host alumni authors Andrew DeYoung ('05) and Nicole Baart ('99) on campus for a conversation on their recent books and writing process. The event will take place in the Eckardt Lounge on Monday, November 10.
Dordt University will host award-winning writer and publisher Andrew DeYoung (’05) and bestselling author Nicole Baart (’99) on campus on Monday, November 10.
The community is invited to attend "Andrew DeYoung in Conversation with Nicole Baart," beginning at 7 p.m. in the Eckardt Lounge. The event will feature a conversation between the two authors about their latest books, writing processes, and the craft of storytelling. The event is free to attend with light snacks provided.
At the event, DeYoung will discuss his recent novel, Stay Away from Him, while Baart will share insights into her newest novel, Where He Left Me, releasing November 4. Both titles will be available for purchase at the event and through the Dordt Bookstore.
“This event is a great opportunity to see two contemporary authors with local connections—and both Dordt grads—discuss both their craft and their latest work,” says Howard Schaap, professor of English at Dordt.
In addition to the event, DeYoung will visit classes and meet with students in the Advanced Writers Workshop, offering feedback and sharing insights from his professional writing career. Baart will be joining the event as part of her regional book tour.
“This event is a great opportunity to see two contemporary authors with local connections—and both Dordt grads—discuss both their craft and their latest work."
DeYoung has authored three novels, including his recent book Stay Away from Him, released in July 2025. In his newest novel, DeYoung explores the emotional aftermath of a broken marriage, the hope of new beginnings, and the uncertainty of trusting again after tragedy.
In addition to his fiction writing, DeYoung’s work has appeared in several online journals. He was recently named president and CEO of Augsburg Fortress Publishers, where he has served as publisher since 2020. A Dordt alumnus, DeYoung is also the author of The Exo Project, which won the 2018 Minnesota Book Award for Young Adult Literature. He lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota, with his wife and their two children.
Baart, known for her critically acclaimed novels featured in well-known publications such as Southern Living, is a writer, collaborator, and speaker who resides in Sioux Center, Iowa with her husband and their children. Her upcoming novel, Where He Left Me, is a gripping suspense novel about a woman unraveling secrets and searching for truth after her husband disappears in the remote North Cascades.
Beyond her writing, Baart is the co-founder of One Body One Hope, a nonprofit organization that partners with churches and orphanages in Monrovia, Liberia.
About Dordt University
As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.
Dordt University hosted 102 high school students from 11 schools for the 2025 Math Challenge on October 9, where participants competed in individual and team math exams, attended breakout sessions with Dordt faculty, and explored future opportunities in mathematics.
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