E-Calendar

December 2003

Regional Literary Events
Compiled by LAKE SUPERIOR WRITERS

Holiday Book Drive -- Book program for needy children in our community. Barnes & Noble, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway. (218) 786-0710.

Dec 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 8 pm, Open mic, Mondays at Amazing Grace Bakery and Cafe, info: 723-0075.

Dec 2, 7 pm, In-Store Book Club. "Three Junes" by Julia Glass. Northern Lights Books & Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, 722-5267.

December 2, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m, Tuesday. Discussion and signing. St. Louis County Prosecutor John DeSanto and Duluth Police Detective and St. Louis County Sheriff Gary Waller sign "Will to Murder," a behind the scenes look at the 1977 murders at Glensheen. J.W. Beecroft Books & Coffee, 3631 Tower Ave., 394-2665.

Dec 3, 10, 17, 24, 7-10 pm, Open mic, Wednesdays at Beaner's Central, info: 624 5957.

Dec 4, 11, 18, 25, 7 pm, Blue Water Poetry Night, an open mic, is every Thursday, at Lakeview Coffee Emporium in the Fitger's building.

December 4, 7 pm, Depot Great Hall, "Light Up the Night --- Celebrating 10 Years of Sharing our Voices." Northern Lights Books & Gifts is celebrating their 10th Anniversary with a benefit for the Depot: St Louis County Heritage and Arts Center. Readings by: Bart Sutter ("Cold Comfort," "My Father's War"); Ellie Schoenfeld ("Difficult Valentines," "Screaming Red Gladiolas"); Anthony Bukoski ("Time Between Trains," "Children of Strangers"); and music by Sara Thomsen (By Breath, Fertile Ground, Arise). Coffee and wine bar. $2 suggested donation supports the Depot. Info: Northern Lights Books & Gifts, 722-5267.

December 4, 11, 18, 25, 8:05 pm, (Thursdays) Chequamegon Bay Word Affiliate. Black Cat Coffeehouse; Ashland, WI. Bring your work to share.

December 6, 2 pm, Saturday, -- Former police chief Eli Miletich will sign copies of his book "The Matchbook and Other Cop Stories," highlights from his thirty-three years of service in the Duluth Police Department. Barnes & Noble, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway. (218) 786-0710.

December 6, 11 am, Saturday, Booksigning with Robert Nelson, "Trees, My Way: 18 Tales of Golf Humor".
Noon, Booksigning with Kurt Mead - "Dragonflies of the Northwoods"
1 pm, Booksigning with Beatrice Ojakangas - assorted Scandinavian cookbooks
2 pm, Booksigning with Kathy Jo Wargin, "V is for Viking" and "Edmund Fitzgerald - Song of the Bell" Northern Lights Books & Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, 722-5267.

December 6, 9 a.m. – 6 pm, Saturday,
11a.m. – 12 pm: Marlene Wisuri signs “Fire Storm: The Great Fires of 1918”
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 pm: Bob Cary signs “Bush Pilots: Legends of the Old and the Bold” and “The All-American Outhouse”
Noon - 1 pm, Lori J. Glad will sign her newly released Lake Superior romance "Summer Storm."
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm: William Durbin signs “Blackwater Ben”
1– 2 pm: Tony Dierckins & Kerry Elliott sign “True North”
Jerry Paulson & Tony Dierckins sign “Greetings from Duluth” Volumes 1 & 2
2– 3 pm: Anthony Bukoski signs “Time Between Trains”
2:30 – 3:30 pm: Beatrice Ojakangas signs “Scandinavian Cooking”
3:30 – 4:30 pm: Doug Davis signs “Badger Bars & Tavern Tales”
4– 5 pm: Ann Lishinski signs “Let Your Light Shine”
J.W. Beecroft Books & Coffee, 3631 Tower Ave., 394-2665.

December 7, noon – 6 pm, Sunday, Holiday Extravaganza, J.W. Beecroft Books & Coffee, 3631 Tower Ave., 394-2665.

December 11, 4 pm, Thursday, UMD Professor of English Joseph Maiolo's reads Truman Capote's "A Christmas Memory" in the Weber Music Hall at UMD.

December 11, 7 pm, Thursday, Bird Art Extravaganza at Peace Church, 1015 E. 11th Street, Duluth. Free. Presented by the Duluth Audubon Society. Spend an evening viewing slides, photographs, drawings and sculptures. Bird chocolates and cookies will also add to the celebration of birds touching our lives. Artists displaying their work will include: Carla Stetson (sculptor - Bird in Hand), Larry Gerber (wood carver - 93 yrs old), John Pastor (artist), Erik Hahn (photographer), Connie Wanek (poet), Frank and Kate Nicoletti (photographers) and Wendy Grethen (storyteller, musician). They are seeking more artists. Bring your own artwork, a favorite piece of bird art, wear your favorite bird t-shirt or just come to enjoy local artisans and storytellers and musicians. For more information about the event or becoming a Duluth Audubon Society member contact Wendy Grethen at 525-5098 or e-mail info@duluthaudubon.org.

December 11, Thursday, 9 pm, Circular Muse presents its monthly Poetry SLAM, featuring the release of Erik Leavitt's new book, "Death Takes Practice." Leavitt will read at 9 pm, with the Poetry SLAM to follow. Lovers of poetry, death, or Leavitt are encouraged to come cheer for their favorite. Nutty Meg's, 11 E. Superior St.  info: duluthpoetry@yahoo.com, 391-4869.

December 13 1 - 2 pm, Saturday, Holiday Music. Music by the Twin Ports Women’s Chorale from the John Duss Music Conservatory.

2 - 3 pm, Keith Crowley will sign his biography of the legendary Wisconsin outdoor writer, "Gordon MacQuarrie: The Story of an Old Duck Hunter."

3 - 4 pm Booksigning, Dav Kaufman will sign "Lake Desire" and Martin Springborg will sign "Proof: Ruminations on the Everyday." J.W. Beecroft Books & Coffee, 3631 Tower Ave., 394-2665.

December 13, 1 to 3 pm, Saturday, Bruce Netland signs his novel "Distant Judgments," which is set in the Twin Cities. The story pits upgrading existing freeways against light rail as the wealthy face off with the less powerful. The Bookstore in the Fitgers Building.

December 13, 11 am, Saturday, Booksigning with Tony Dierckins. "Greetings from Duluth: A Reproduction postcard book. Volume 1 & 2."

1 pm, Booksigning with "Will to Murder: The True Story Behind the Glensheen Killings".

2:30 pm, Booksigning with Gail De Marcken, Illustrator of "The Quiltmaker's Gift". Northern Lights Books & Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, 722-5267.

December 20, 11 am, Saturday, Booksigning with Children's author, Mary Casanova "One-Dog Canoe"

Noon - Booksigning with Amy Rusch, Illustrator of "Busy Busy Moose". Northern Lights Books & Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, 722-5267.

December 20 1– 2 pm Saturday, Holiday Music. Music by the John Duss Choral Society, J.W. Beecroft Books & Coffee, 3631 Tower Ave., 394-2665.

December 20, 1 pm, Saturday, -- Sportswriter and Minnesota author Ross Bernstein will sign copies of his latest books "Remembering Herbie" which chronicles the life of hockey legend Herb Brooks and "Legends & Legacies" celebrating Minnesota's amazing coaching history. Great for the sports fans on your list. Barnes & Noble, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway. (218) 786-0710.

December 26 12– 1 pm, Friday, Holiday Music. Piano music by Ruby Thomas and her students. J.W. Beecroft Books & Coffee, 3631 Tower Ave., 394-2665.

JANUARY MEMOIR PANEL with Mara Kirk Hart, Milan Kovacovic, Katharine Johnson, Bart Sutter  at Northern Lights. 7-9 pm, Thursday, January 8

Northern Lights Books & Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, 722-5267.

JANUARY MEMOIR READING: Sunday, January 11, 2 pm, Marshall School Annex Meeting Room on Rice Lake Road, next to Sylvan Learning Center. All LSW members and Writers' Group participants are invited to participate. 

FEBRUARY: Writers Speak Out on Love:  the LSW annual Barnes and Noble Valentine's Day Fundraiser, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2 pm, Barnes and Noble.

10% of all sales accompanied by an official LSW flyer will be donated to Lake Superior Writers. Watch your mail for our flyer! 

MARCH LSW PROGRAM: Thursday, March 11, 2004, 5:30 - 7:30 pm, Marshall School Annex Meeting Room on Rice Lake Road, next to Sylvan Learning Center. Self-Publishing Workshop with Sue Gustafson and Tony Dierkins. A light sandwich supper will be available for purchase at 5 pm. 

APRIL/MAY CLASS: Lake Superior Writers Outreach and Programming Committee announces a Spring Class: INSIDE OUT, A  four-session writing class for those who have lost a loved one. Facilitated by: Deborah Cooper, poet & chaplain, Wednesdays:  April 14, 21, 28, and May 5, 2004 from 6:30-8:30 pm in the Marshall Annex/LSW Meeting Room. Members: $60, Non-Members: $75. Registrations for this class will open after January 1, and will close April 7, 2004 Watch for further announcements/registration forms in the e-news and our January Newsletter. 

* Finding words for grief and giving voice to it can be an avenue for healing, a way of recovering balance and deepening understanding.  The act of writing engages a process of expressing the heart's truth, a process that can offer insight, light and resolution. 

* Biography: Deborah Cooper is a Certified Chaplain. She has served in a variety of settings in the Twin Ports Community over the last twenty years. Her poetry has been published in numerous literary journals and anthologies. She is the author of two chapbooks, 'Redirection of the Heart' (New Song Press) and 'the gods of wild things' (Poetry Harbor).

APRIL CLASS Wine & Words with award-winning travel writer and LSW member Jeff Rennicke. Rennicke teams up with Bayfield's Old Rittenhouse Inn to offer a weekend of writing workshops and gourmet dining, April 16-17, 2004. For more information call 1.800.779-2129 or visit the website at www.rittenhouseinn.com.

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***LSW MEMBER KUDOS!

Change of Pace Dinner Theatre is using JEAN SRAMEK's script, "Ole & Lena's Wedding" (back for the second year by popular demand) in its current production. Sramek also performs in the play as Lena's mother. "Ole & Lena" ran from October 24 through November 30 but it has been held over for one final performance on Dec. 7. Call 722-2829 for tickets.

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LSW WRITING GROUPS

***OPEN, GENRE-BASED, WRITING GROUPS

Several LSW writing groups are open to all members. Expect a different number of people at each session and lively contributions from a variety of viewpoints.

Creative Non-Fiction. Call the Lake Superior Writer's Office (218-722-3094) for information of time and place for the next meeting.

Fantasy. Contact Lacey (the_real_sedeara@yahoo.com) for information.

Fiction. Interested in joining a fiction writing group? Contact Lori Larson (lml@excelonline.com, 218-729-5341) for further information.

Fiction/Poetry. Meets the thrid Wednesday of the month, 6- 8 pm, Pepper McGregor's Coffeehouse & Cafe, 4721 E. Superior St. Contact Jill Hinners (218 525-1463) or Cheryl Reitan (creitan@.d.umn.edu, 218-728-3154) for information.

Memoir. Meets the third Sunday of every month, 3 pm Chester Creek Cafe, At Sara's Table (back room). Contact Mara Hart (mhart2@d.umn.edu, 218-728-3154) for information.

Writing About Gardening. An e-mail group. Contact Jeanne (aens@vicksburg.com) for further information.

Writing for Children. Meets at 6:30 pm on the third Monday of the Month at J.W. Beecroft Books & Coffee, 3631 Tower Avenue. For information call 715-394-2665.

Open Genre. Thursday nights 7 pm Browser's N'etc. Cafe. Contact Bob or Rachel at 786-0102.

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Interested in Starting a Writing Group?

Call the Lake Superior Writer's Office (218-722-3094) for information, sample guidelines and suggestions. LSW is especially looking for members interested in starting Essay, Journaling and Scriptwriting groups.

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Closed Writing Groups (Which May Have Openings)

Writing is an extremely personal activity and often times a small group works best for giving support and critique. Several LSW groups meet regularly. When established groups have openings, we will list the contact people in this space. Call to arrange a meeting with the contact person to see if your work and style will be a good fit.

Call first, and be prepared to submit a sample of your writing in advance. Note: Commitment level is high. You're expected to show up and to follow procedures set by the group.

MEMOIR. Contact Colette (218-724-2262; bocop09@aol.com) for possible openings.

MEMOIR. Carlton County. Contact Katharine (218-879-9390; katjay66@yahoo.com) for further information.

MEMOIR. Contact Donna (218-525-1012) for further information.

MIXED GENRE. Sault Ste. Marie. Contact Kristin (906- 632-8892) for further information.

POETRY. Contact Sheila (218-279-3549; spacka@juno.com) for further information.

POETRY. Iron Range. Contact Francine (218-262-2503) for further information.

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***NEWS/CONTESTS/SUBMISSIONS

AUTHORS TO CLOQUET: The Cloquet Public library is starting an author program. If you've published a book and are willing to spend an hour or so reading/discussing and having the opportunity to sell, get in contact with Mary Lukkarila at the Cloquet library. 879-1531.

MUSE PRIZE: The Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets announces the Muse Prize for Excellence in Poetry Contest. The contest opens December 1, 2003 and closes February 1, 2004. Contestants must be Wisconsin residents 18 or older. An entry form and $3 fee ($6 for non-WFOP members) in required. For more information and the entry form, see the WFOP website, www.wfop.org

MAD POETRY website: Check out www.madpoetry.org --- many contests and deadlines

2004 Brenda Ueland Poetry Prize --- Water~Stone Review will award two $500 prizes, Plus publication. All submissions should be original, unpublished work. Submissions accepted September 15 - December 15, 2003 only. Maximum length: 5,000 words. Entry fee $10. For info see http://www.hamline.edu/graduate/gls2/waterstone/contest.htm or contact Water~Stone Review, Graduate Liberal Studies Program, Hamline University, 1536 Hewitt Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104-1284

MN LIT: Minnesota Literature wants essays, up to 900 words, that express opinions on literary issues and questions, or profile interesting events or personalities. Payment $50. Minnesota Literature, 26366 Red Wing Avenue, Shafer, MN 55074, 651-257-7106 (phone & fax; or mnlit@frontiernet.net. Minnesota Literature is a statewide, monthly newsletter ($10/10 issues) that provides the literary community with information about workshops, residencies, new publications, grants, awards, contests, and a monthly calendar of readings.

WRITING COACH Experienced Writers: Would you like to earn $25/an hour, and at the same time encourage a fellow writer? Lake Superior Writers will act as a clearing house for those who feel qualified to be a writing coach, and those who wish help. If you wish to participate, please send a letter of intent stating your area(s) of expertise, a brief resume, and $10 for Website maintenance. Your name and a brief resume will be posted on the LSW Website. Send information to LSW, 1301 Rice Lake Road, Suite 132, Duluth, Minnesota 55811, Att'n. Mara.

duluthpoetry duluthpoetry duluthpoetry A reasonably reliable source for under and above ground twin ports poetry events and information. When it comes to poetry, they've got their hands on the pulse. To subscribe: e-mail duluthpoetry@hotmail.com.

BLUE EARTH REVIEW, biannual publication, accepts original poetry, fiction, non fiction, photography and graphic art through May 1, 2004. Submit bio (50 words), address, phone and email to Blue Earth Review, Thomas Maltman, Minnesota State Univ., Mankato, Student Union 192, Mankato, MN 56001. Contact wordmucker@yahoo.com.

NEW IMMIGRANTS: Editor seeks memoir, fiction, poetry for anthology exploring "new immigrants" (since 1965) to Minnesota: David Anderson, 1106 Payne Ave., St. Paul, MN 55101.

KUMQUAT Meringue is a strange acorn of poetry dedicated to the memory of Richard Brautigan. Send your quirky minutiae of love, sex, syrup, life, and death. If there's a connection to Richard Brautigan, so much the better. Sample: $6. Three issue subscription: $12. P.O. Box 736, Pine Island, MN 55963

THE 2004 Raymond Carver Short Story Award at Carve Magazine. First: $2,000. Second: $1,000. Third: $300. Seven finalists: $100. All entries considered for publication. Deadline: February 1, 2004. Entry: $15/one, $25/two, $30/three. Contest Judge: Mary Hood. Electronic submissions preferred. Limit: 8,000 words. Guidelines at www.carvezine.com.

PHANTASMAGORIA invites submissions of short fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. Include SASE for return of manuscript or notification. No previously published work. Send manuscripts to Abigail Allen, Editor, Phantasmagoria, English Dept., Century College, 3300 Century Ave. N., White Bear Lake, MN 55110.

BLUE LIGHT PRESS Book Award. Imagistic, inventive, emotionally honest poems that push the edge. Winner and first finalist will be published. Deadline: December 15. For guidelines, E-mail bluelightpress@aol.com or send SASE. Send 60–80 page manuscript, SASE, $20 reading fee to Blue Light Press, P.O. Box 642, Fairfield, IA 52556.

THE NEOVICTORIAN/COCHLEA seeks poems of formal integrity for an issue on Utopia (in any sense; work by poets who have read Celan's "Meridian" speech particularly welcome). Simultaneous submissions OK if notified. Subscription: $10. Sample copy: $6. Send manuscripts with SASE to The Neovictorian/Cochlea, P.O. Box 55164, Madison, WI 53705.

COLERE, a journal celebrating cultural exploration, welcomes thought-provoking fiction, poetry, essays, and artwork. Limit submissions to 5 poems or 20 pages on experiences abroad or at home. Submissions (by January 15, 2004) or subscriptions ($5 annually) to Colere, Coe College, 1220 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.

ONE-ACTS: previously unpublished one-act plays are sought for The Art of the One-Act: An Anthology. Deadline: January 31, 2004. See www.wmich.edu/newissues for complete guidelines or mail a SASE to The Editors, The Art of the One-Act, Dept. of English, WMU, 1903 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5331.

FOURTH GENRE Explorations in Nonfiction Annual Editors' Prize for Best Essay/Memoir. $750 First prize, $250 Runner-up, plus publication. Deadline: January 20, 2004. Entry fee: $15, includes 1 sample issue. Limit: 6,000 words, double spaced. Essay must be unpublished. Judge: Sue William Silverman. Send manuscripts to Fourth Genre Editors' Prize, Dept. of Writing, Rhetoric, and American Cultures, 229 Bessey Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1033. Visit www.msupress.msu.edu/FourthGenre for complete guidelines.

ORCHID: A Literary Review 2004 short fiction contest. First prize: $500 and publication. Finalists: notation, possible publication. Deadline: April 1, 2004. Fee: $10/entry (7,000 words maximum). Final judge: Will Allison. Include an SASE for a list of finalists. Orchid: A Literary Review, Attn: 2004 Short Fiction Contest, P.O. Box 131457, Ann Arbor, MI 48113-1457. More info: www.orchidlit.org

$1,000 MAIZE Short Fiction Prize. $1,000 and publication in the journal Maize. Submit 2 copies of unpublished story up to 5,000 words. One copy includes name, address, and phone number. Include SASE for response. Required reading fee: $10 (check or money order to Writers' Center of Indiana). Deadline: December 31. Send to Writers' Center of Indiana, Maize Prize, P.O. Box 30407, Indianapolis, IN 46230 0407. Web site: www.indianawriters.org

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***GRANTS

ARTIST FELLOWSHIPS FOR SCREENWRITERS 2004 McKnight Artist Fellowship for Screenwriters. IFP MSP and the McKnight Foundation will award two $25,000 fellowships to two Minnesota screenwriters in 2004. Contact Jeanne O'Brien, IFP MSP's Funding Programs Director and Administrator of the fellowship program with questions: call 612-338-0871 or email jobrien@ifpmsp.org.

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BLACKLOCK NATURE SANCTUARY 2004 FELLOWSHIPS: two to four week residencies including housing and a cash sipend. Deadline: received by Jan 30, 2004. See www.blacklock.org or contact Catherine Jordan at 612-823-6257, jorda021@tc.umn.edu.

The ANDERSON CENTER Residency Program, one of the premier artist communities in the Upper Midwest, has hosted writers and artists from across the United States and abroad. Both emerging and established artists/writers are welcome. 320 acres. Deadlines: February 1, March 1. Room, board, and workspace provided. Anderson Center : jackie@andersoncenter.com, http://www.andersoncenter.org, P.O. Box 406, Red Wing, MN 55066, Phone 651 388-2009.

JENTEL ARTIST Residency Program. One-month residency in rural ranch setting for artists and writers. Includes private room, studio, and $400 stipend. January 15, 2004 deadline for May 15 – December 13, 2004. Check www.jentelarts.org or contact jentel@jentelarts.org to request information and application.

DORLAND MOUNTAIN Arts Colony, The unspoiled environment and undisturbed solitude foster creativity. Working in a natural setting without distractions or interruptions, Dorland residents can tap into their inner resources. Without electricity, they find a new, natural rhythm for their work. $450 per month. Applications due: September 1 and March 1. Dorland Mountain Arts Colony, http://www.ez2.net/dorland/,  P.O. Box 6, Temecula, CA 92593

RAGDALE Foundation artists' retreat. Ragdale supports national and international visual artists, writers and composers. Ragdale provides a quiet place to focus on one's work along with a connection to history, nature and the Ragdale community. $15 daily fee includes room and board. Deadline January 15.1260 North Green Bay, Lake Forest, IL 60045, Phone 847-234-1063, FAX: 847 234-1063, mosher@ragdale.org, koy@ragdale.org, http://www.ragdale.org

VCCA: The Virginia Center for the Creative Arts is a working retreat for writers, visual artists, and composers. It is located at Mt. San Angelo, a 450 acre estate in Amherst County, Virginia. Application Deadlines: January 15, May 15, and September 15. Suggested daily fee, $30. Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, Mt. San Angelo, Box VCCA, Sweet Briar, VA 24595, Phone 434-946-7236 FAX 434-946-7239, http://www.vcca.com/

UCROSS Foundation; Housing, studios, food provided. Deadline: March 1, October 1. Ucross Foundation, ucross@wyoming.com, www.ucrossfoundation.org. 2836 US Hwy 14-16 East, Clearmont, WY 82835; Phone 307-737-2291.

***LSW NEWS!

CALLING ALL LITERARY "FOODIES": Are you creative in the kitchen as well? LSW Hospitality Committee is seeking recruits to assist with decor and refreshments for our monthly events! If menu and site enhancement planning including musical accompaniment, food prep, procurement of supplies, delivery and set up - piques your appetite, please respond to: msclaudia2you@yahoo.com

WRITE IN THE LSW OFFICE ---The board of Lake Superior Writers is seeking applications by members who need a room of their own in which to write. For a nominal fee, you would be able to use our quiet, well-furnished office space. Please call 722-3094.

THE LSW ANTHOLOGY, "Between Stone and Flesh," contains twenty LSW poetry and prose writers. To purchase this book, which is available to LSW members for $8, or to find out more about our contest, contact Jim at 724 1653.

We have two e-mail addresses: writers@lakesuperiorwriters.org
and a special e-mail for this calendar at calendar@lakesuperiorwriters.org
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***ABOUT THE LSW CALENDAR

THIS CALENDAR is a benefit of your membership in Lake Superior Writers.

We are a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the literary arts. We welcome information from you regarding events, classes, kudos or announcements to be included in upcoming calendars.We reserve the right to edit all submissions.

TELL US ABOUT IT! Have you just been published? Received a grant or an award? Let us know! We love to celebrate the successes of the members of our writing community. E-mail your news items to calendar@lakesuperiorwriters.org.

SEND CALENDAR ITEMS to calendar@lakesuperiorwriters.org by the third Friday of the month. Include date, time, location, brief description and contact person. Be sure to include "LSW Calendar" in your subject line.

LSW MISSION: to foster writing communities, to provide an audience for literature, and to further the artistic development of writers through workshops, readings, and publications.