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Compiled by LAKE SUPERIOR WRITERS

LSW ACTIVITIES AND NEWS

THE GREAT NORTHERN FESTIVAL OF WORDS
April 19-22 Lake Superior Writers presents The Great Northern Festival of Words, a celebration of the written and spoken word, including a presentation by NPR FRESH AIR host TERRY GROSS on April 19, Wed 7 pm at Mitchell Auditorium, College of St. Scholastica (tickets 218-723-7000), a free BOOK FAIR at the Depot on April 22 featuring 40 regional book publishers, authors, workshops, and readings. At the Book Fair, watch for the ceremony and announcement naming the first Duluth Poet Laureate! A Spirit Lake Poetry series reading by Denise Sweet, the Wisconsin State Poet Laureate will follow at 7:30 pm on April 22 at the College of St. Scholastica. Be inspired - meet fellow writers - join fascinating discussions - hear authors read from their works - And discover our exciting regional writing community! Following are highlights of the exciting events we’re planning, but for a complete listing of events, exhibitors, readings, panels, booksignings, workshops, sponsors and volunteers. For more information, visit Terry Gross and the Book Fair

April 19 - Wed 7 pm - Lake Superior Writers welcomes TERRY GROSS - NPR FRESH AIR host and author of “All I Did Was Ask: Conversations With Writers, Actors, Musicians, and Artists” Hyperion (2004) - Mitchell Auditorium, College of St. Scholastica. For tickets call 218-723-7000.

April 22 - Sat 10 am - 5 pm - LSW’s first-ever BOOK FAIR at the Depot on April 22 will feature 40 regional book publishers, authors, workshops, and readings. Panels and workshops include: “Seeing the World: How to Sharpen Your Travel Writing” by Catherine Watson, author of “Roads Less Traveled: Dispatches From the Ends of the Earth” (Syren Press, 2005); "Into Print: Publishing Family and Local History” by Marlene Wisuri, co-author of eight books and recipient of two MN Book Awards; “Truth and Imagination” - a poetry workshop by Connie Wanek, author of two poetry collections and the 2006 Witter Bynner Fellow of the Library of Congress; a regional publishing panel featuring Konnie LeMay of Lake Superior Magazine, Susan Hauser of the “Dust & Fire” anthology, and Tony Dierckins of X-communication; “Ready, Set, Go!” - a girl’s writing workshop by Kate Freeborn of New Moon Magazine; and “Truth in Memoir: Does it Matter - ” - a panel discussion with memoir writers Mara Hart, Donna Schilling and Milan Kovacovic.

April 22, Sat 12:30 pm - At the BOOK FAIR, don’t miss the historic ceremony and announcement naming our first-ever DULUTH POET LAUREATE!

April 22, Sat 7:30 pm - A SPIRIT LAKE POETRY SERIES READING by DENISE SWEET, the Wisconsin State Poet Laureate at the College of St. Scholastica. This event is co-sponsored by Lake Superior Writers and the Spirit Lake Poetry Series. (See the calendar listing under “Area Literary Events” for more info.)

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LSW WRITERS’ SQUARE TABLE
April 20, Thur 11:30 am - LAKE SUPERIOR WRITERS’ SQUARE TABLE meets in the Annex Room (downstairs) At Sara's Table, 1902 E. 8th Street. March topic: “Favorite source books for writing.” Please bring two to three books, and be prepared to talk about them briefly. Questions? Call Mara at 728-1253.
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FILM EVENT
May 7, Sun 7 pm - SCREENPLAY WRITER & DIRECTOR BRINGS “SWEET LAND” to Duluth at the Playground, 11 E. Superior Street. Lake Superior Writers presents the film SWEET LAND (2005), a "gorgeous landscape portrait love story" and a talk by Minnesota’s Ali Selim, the film’s screenwriter and director After the film, Selim will talk about script writing and answer questions from the audience. The film received the Audience Choice Best Feature Award at the Hamptons International Film Festival. The story is set in 1920, as the character, Inge, travels from Norway to rural Minnesota meet the man destined to be her husband. Bureaucracy and social morality cause major complications.

LSW KUDOS News about LSW Members back to top

JAN CHRONISTER’s and DIANA RANDOLPH’s poems were selected for the newly released “Dust and Fire” anthology published by Women ' s Studies at Bemidji (Minn.) State University. Jan’s poems “French Lilacs” and “Lily;” and Diana’s poem “Yearning for the Stars of Summer” are part of the 20th anniversary edition of Dust and Fire featuring women's writing and art. Copies of the anthology may be ordered by sending $10 plus $2 Shipping and Handling to Women's Center, BSU, Box 31, 1500 Birchmont Dr. NE, Bemidji, Minn. 56601. For more information, email womenscenter@bemidjistate.edu

JEANNIE EDDY will have a poem and short story published in the April 2006 issue of The Dazzling Desert Magazine. “Witch Cradle,” the third novel in KATHLEEN HILLS' mystery series set in 1950's Upper Michigan, has received a starred review in Booklist ("dense, dark, and delicious"). “Witch Cradle” is out this month from Poisoned Pen Press, and is available from all the usual outlets. Her first two books in the series, “Past Imperfect” and “Hunter's Dance,” are being released this month in trade paperback. “Past Imperfect” has just been published in the United Kingdom. See more at www.kathleenhills.com

MARY ELLEN RYALL published two articles in the Washburn County Senior Focus, a monthly newsletter sponsored by the Spooner Advocate. Her articles were ”Seniors celebrate 1st year Tai chi anniversary” and “Exploring the wild side.”

BERYL SINGLETON BISSELL’S memoir “The Scent of God” (Counterpoint 2006) is the lead title for Counterpoint's spring list. It was published April 3, 2006. Bissell and her book were featured in the Saturday, March 25, issue of the Duluth News Tribune. National tour includes Boston, Minneapolis, Chicago, San Francisco, NY and Washington DC.

CONNIE WANEK’S poem "Radiator" was featured in "American Life in Poetry" in the Sunday, April 2 edition of the Duluth News Tribune. Poems for this column are selected and introduced by US Poet Laureate Ted Kooser and appear once a week in newspapers across the country.

AREA LITERARY EVENTS back to top

April 4, Tue 11 a.m. - Arrowhead Poets meet in the café. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

April 4, Tue 7 pm - In-Store Book Club will discuss ”The Great Gatsby,” this year’s choice for ONE BOOK ONE COMMUNITY. Northern Lights Books & Gifts, 307 Canal Park Dr., 218-722-5267, www.norlights.com.

April 6, Thur 1 pm - New Fiction/Non-Fiction book group will discuss “Gilead” by Marilynne Robinson. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

April 8, Sat 1 pm - Gary and Eve Wallinga will sign “Waterfalls of Minnesota’s North Shore.” Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

April 8, Sat 1 pm - ONE BOOK ONE COMMUNITY EVENT - The 1974 film “The Great Gatsby” will be shown at the Duluth Public Library Green Room, 520 W. Superior St. Starring Robert Redford, Mia Farrow, Karen Black, Bruce Dern, Sam Waterston, Scott Wilson and Lois Chiles. Admission is free.

April 8, Sat 1 pm - Mystery Lovers’ Lunch - Join mystery authors K. J. Erickson, Victoria Houston, David Housewright and Mary Logue for lunch in the café. Cost is $14.95; reservations and prepayment are required. JW Beecroft Books, 3631 Tower Ave., Superior, WI, 218-394-2665, www.jwbeecroft.com.

April 9, Sun 2 pm - Poetry Reading at the Drummond Public Library and Historical Museum, 14990 Superior Street, Drummond, Wisconsin. Second Sunday Poetry Reading features Naomi Cochran, a poet residing in Hayward. She will read from her unpublished collection of poems titled “Simple Matters.” Prior to the featured poet, audience members will be invited to read one or two pages of poetry. Refreshments will be served. Sponsored by Drummond Public Library, CHARAC (Cable Hayward Area Arts Council) and WFOP (Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets). For more information or to be included on the mailing list please contact janchronister@yahoo.com

April 11, Tue 7 pm - Poet and memoirist David Mura will read at Lake Superior College on Tuesday, April 11 at 7 p.m. in the Minnesota Room of the library. The reading is free and open to the public.

April 12, Wed 6:30 pm - Classics Book Group will discuss “The War of the End of the World” by Mario Vargas Llosa. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

April 13, Thur 7 pm - The Latest Book Group will discuss “The Three Pound Enigma: The Human Brain and the Quest to Unlock its Mysteries” by Shannon Moffett. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

April 15, Sat 12 noon - William Durbin will sign his new children’s book “El Lector.” Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

April 17, Mon 11:30 am - Minnesota author Mary Casanova will sign her books for intermediate readers including her two newest, “Jess, Girl of the Year” and “Dog Watch: Trouble in Pembrook.” JW Beecroft Books, 3631 Tower Ave., Superior, WI, 218-394-2665, www.jwbeecroft.com.

April 17, Mon 6:30 pm - Children’s Writers’ Group Meeting - Writers of fiction and nonfiction for children are invited to attend. JW Beecroft Books, 3631 Tower Ave., Superior, WI, 218-394-2665, www.jwbeecroft.com.

April 17, Mon 7:30 pm - Science Fiction Book Group will discuss “Alas Babylon” by Pat Frank. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

April 18, Tue 7:30 pm - Author Karen Armstrong will speak at Mitchell Auditorium, College of St. Scholastica. Armstrong is the author of “The History of God,” “The Battle For God,” “The Spiral Staircase,” as well as many other books including biographies of Buddha and Muhammad. She will sign latest book, “The Great Transformation: The Beginning of our Religious Traditions.” Free; Sponsored by the Inter-Religious Forum. A variety of books will be available for purchase and signing by the author. For more information, contact Northern Lights Books & Gifts, 307 Canal Park Dr., 218-722-5267, www.norlights.com.

April 18, Tue 7 pm - Beecroft Writers’ Group Meeting - Writers of poetry and short fiction are invited to attend. JW Beecroft Books, 3631 Tower Ave., Superior, WI, 218-394-2665, www.jwbeecroft.com.

April 18, Tue 7 pm - Notable Books Book Group will discuss “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald. An event of the “One Book One Community” citywide event. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

April 22, 10 am to 5 pm - GREAT NORTHERN FESTIVAL OF WORDS BOOK FAIR - Free workshops, readings, exhibits and booksignings all day at the St. Louis County Heritage & Arts Center (The Depot), Duluth. (SEE LISTING ABOVE)

April 22, Sat 2 pm - Trout Fishing Workshop - Jay Thurston, author of “Following in the Footsteps of Ernest Hemingway” will present a free workshop offering tips and information on fishing for trout. Advance sign-up is requested; please call 394-2665. April 17, Mon 7:30 pm - Science Fiction Book Group will discuss “Alas Babylon” by Pat Frank. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

April 22, Sat 7 pm - Third Annual Earth Day Spoken Word Event by the Chequamegan Bay Word Affilate. An open mic for poetry and music celebrating Earth. The public is invited to this free event at Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center west of Ashland, Wisconsin on Highway 2. For more information contact: journalblog@charter.net

April 22, Sat 7:30 pm - A SPIRIT LAKE POETRY SERIES READING by DENISE SWEET, the Wisconsin State Poet Laureate at the College of St. Scholastica, Somers Lounge. The author of five books, Sweet is a member of the White Earth band of the Minnesota Ojibwe and serves as a professor of humanistic studies at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. She received both the Diane Decorah Award for Poetry from the Native Writers’ Circle of the Americas and the Posner Award for her collection “Songs for Discharming.” Admission is free. Refreshments will be served. A booksigning will follow the reading.

April 23, Sun 12 noon - Sharon Chmielarz will sign her poetry collection, “The Rhubarb King.” Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

April 23, Sun 3 pm - Cary Griffiths will sign his book “Lost in the Wild: Danger and Survival in the North Woods.” Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

April 24, Mon 7:30 pm - ONE BOOK ONE COMMUNITY EVENT - Lecture: “Jay Gatsby and the American Dream” at Duluth Public Library Green Room, 520 W. Superior St. Tom Zelman, professor of English at the College of St. Scholastica, will speak about the forces at play in the novel: love, ambition and, especially, money.

April 27, Thu 4-5 pm - Jane L. Collins, author of “Threads: Gender, Labor, and Power in the Global Apparel Industry,” will speak in the Multicultural Center (Old Main 232) at UW-Superior. The Women's Studies Program will also host a book discussion with Jane Collins on Friday,

April 28, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Multicultural Center. Both events are free and open to the public. For more information, call Dianna Hunter, Women's Studies Coordinator, 394-8405.

April 28, Fri 6-8 pm - Poetry Party - Celebrate Poetry month at an open house for poets and the people who love them! Refreshments and a “family friendly” open mic reading at 7 pm. JW Beecroft Books, 3631 Tower Ave., Superior, WI, 218-394-2665, www.jwbeecroft.com.

April 28-30 - ANNUAL SPRING WRITERS FESTIVAL at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The three-day event is a comprehensive writing conference including guest speakers, agent selection classes and question and answer sessions. There are also informational seminars on how to get published and several crafting workshops. Manuscript review panels and representatives from top literary agencies are available. Learn more now by contacting Anne O’Meara at 414-227-3311 or email her at aomeara@uwm.edu.

May 17, Wed 6-9:30 pm - A record-breaking 42 books have been nominated for the 18th annual NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA BOOK AWARDS (NEMBA) and their authors will be honored at the May celebration. The event includes a book fair, a featured speaker, the awards presentation, and a dessert reception. For more information and a list of the nominated titles, visit the NEMBA Web site at http://www.d.umn.edu/lib/nemba/index.htm or call 218-726-7889.

June 18-23 - 2006 MINNESOTA NORTHWOODS WRITERS CONFERENCE at Bemidji State University. Workshops offered in creative nonfiction, poetry, fiction, novice and symbolic imaging. Distinguished visiting writer: SHARON OLDS. For brochure, call 218-755-2068 or email writersconference@bemidjistate.edu. See details at www.bemidjistate.edu .

WRITING GROUPS & MENTORING back to top

 See info about LSW Writing Groups

LAKE SUPERIOR WRITERS' MENTORING PROGRAM
Could you use a jump-start for your writing? Do you need help shaping your ideas and strengthening your writing? Do you have writing experience and the desire to help other writers develop their writing? LSW offers a unique mentoring program to its members. We are looking for both writers who would like to hire a mentor and mentors who would like to work with writers. Learn more about the mentoring program on our at www.lakesuperiorwriters.org. If you are looking for a mentor or would like be become a mentor, contact Pamela Mittlefehldt pjmarch4@aol.com.

NOTICE: The LSW Prose/Poetry group (formerly New London Writers) will meet on April 26 at 6 pm at Sara's Table for their April meeting.

The SPECULATIVE FICTION GROUP is no longer accepting new members and is a closed group. Interested people can contact Lacey Louwagie, the leader of the group by email (the_real_sedeara@yahoo.com) to be notified of future openings.

NEWS / CONFERENCES / SUBMISSIONS/ OPPORTUNITIES back to top

THE LOFT’S TRAVEL WRITERS’ FESTIVAL Jason Wilson, Catherine Watson and Dan Buettner are among the 20-plus travelers who will share their writing journeys with you at the Loft’s Travel Writers’ Festival May 5 - 7 at Open Book in Minneapolis. Travel and literary writers, editors, publishers and photographers come together in presentations, panels and break out sessions to feed your wanderlust and discover your Muse. For full details, visit http://www.loft.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=feature.display&feature_ID=394 For a copy of a printed brochure, call (612) 379-8999.

SPEND SUMMER 2006 IN EUROPE
Creativity Workshop: Creative Writing, Drawing, Storytelling and Memoir classes taught by master teachers Shelley Berc and Alejandro Fogel. Choose from 8 day workshops in Crete, Florence, Provence, Barcelona, Prague, Dublin or Bruges. These exciting summer workshops in Europe and New York are designed to stimulate and develop educators' creativity and the creativity of students. Classes are for administrators or classroom educators in areas as diverse as math, the arts, hard or social sciences, history, and literature. The Creativity Workshop will help participants design new ways of learning, perceiving, and teaching. Classes start at $1,650 including workshop tuition and 9 nights accommodations. For more information go to: http://www.creatingandexploring.com/specialoffers.html

RESOURCES: For information on additional contests, retreats, publications and more see this new webpage: http://www.lakesuperiorwriters.org/lswresources.html

WEBSITE - Minnesota Literature has launched a website at www.minnesotaliterature.org. Check it out for links to Minnesota literary magazines, events, publishers and other resources.

Spirit Lake Poetry Series continues: April 22, 2006: Poet Laureate of Wisconsin Denise Sweet. All performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Somers Lounge at the College of St. Scholastica.

LAKE SUPERIOR WRITERS INFORMATION back to top

Lake Superior Writers prohibits discrimination in its programs, membership, and board of directors participation on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status or family status.

Lake Superior Writers Calendar back to top

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! Have an event to publicize? We love to celebrate the events and successes of the members of our writing community. E-mail your news items to calendar@lakesuperiorwriters.org.

We have two e-mail addresses: writers@lakesuperiorwriters.org a special e-mail for this calendar at calendar@lakesuperiorwriters.org

For more info about LSW http://www.lakesuperiorwriters.org

Your editor for this issue of the e-calendar was LSW member & volunteer Gail Trowbridge.