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Compiled by LAKE SUPERIOR WRITERS

LSW ACTIVITIES AND NEWS

DULUTH’S FIRST POET LAUREATE
LSW invites poets to apply for a 2-year term as DULUTH’S FIRST OFFICIAL POET LAUREATE. A 12-person selection committee of representatives from LSW, local colleges, UMD, bookstores, the Duluth Public Arts Commission, Friends of the Duluth Public Library, and the Duluth Public Schools, will chose a poet laureate from applications received by the March 1 2006 deadline. The Duluth poet laureate will receive a $2,000 honorarium and will be expected to fulfill a number of "duties" in a position that is intended to raise public awareness of poetry through readings, appearances, workshops, and other public events. Currently, there are 37 states and many cities and boroughs in America that have a poet laureate post; Duluth is the first city in Minnesota to create and fund such a position. The Duluth poet laureate post is funded in part by a grant from the Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation, with additional support provided by Northern Lights Books & Gifts, UMD Department of English and Academic Affairs, the College of St. Scholastica English Department, Lake Superior College, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, and the Duluth Public Arts Commission.

The Duluth poet laureate application guidelines and additional information is available on line at the website for Lake Superior Writers, http://www.lakesuperiorwriters.org (click on "Poet Laureate"), or by mail from Lake Superior Writers/Poet Laureate Application, 1301 Rice Lake Road, Suite 132, Duluth, Minnesota 55811. Among the application requirements is legal residency in the Duluth area (Duluth, Hermantown or Proctor) for five of the past ten years, the publication of at least 1 volume of poetry of 48 pages or more, or 3 poetry volumes of 16 pages or more in the last ten years (no vanity or self-publications), and a willingness and ability to fulfill the poet laureate responsibilities. The application process is free and open to the public. The selection of the Duluth poet laureate will be announced during the April 19-22nd, Great Northern Festival of Words [see next item]. For additional information, please contact LSW at 218-722-3094.

READERS, WRITERS, POETS, BOOK LOVERS? HAVE YOU MARKED YOUR CALENDARS? Thursday April 19 thru Saturday, April 22, 2006, LAKE SUPERIOR WRITERS presents THE GREAT NORTHERN FESTIVAL OF WORDS, a 4-day celebration of the written and spoken word, including a presentation by NPR FRESH AIR host TERRY GROSS (tickets 218-723-7000), a Spirit Lake Poetry series reading by DENISE SWEET, the 2004-2008 Wisconsin State Poet Laureate, and a BOOK FAIR at the Depot featuring 40 regional book publishers and authors. For more information, visit www.lakesuperiorwriters.org

SCREENPLAY WRITER & DIRECTOR BRINGS “SWEET LAND” TO DULUTH May 7, Sun 7 pm, 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. It's at the Playground, 11 E. Superior Street. 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 while lead actress Elizabeth Reaser garnered the Rising Star Award in Acting. Supporting actor Ned Beatty was also awarded a Career Achievement in Acting Award for his work on “Sweet Land.” 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.

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LSW EVENTS

Feb. 12, Sun 9 to 9pm, LAKE SUPERIOR WRITERS’ BOOKFAIR: CABIN FEVER RELIEVER! At Barnes & Noble - Miller Hill Mall, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway. Please come out and support another fine literary event brought to you by Lake Superior Writers. A portion of the proceeds from the purchase of books or other items at Barnes and Noble the day of the bookfair will help support the efforts of LSW to support writers and readers of literature throughout the year. From 2 to 4 pm, area writers Cal Benson, Mark Munger and Anthony Bukoski will read from their works. For more info, please contact the LSW office at 722-3094.

Feb 16, Thur 11:30 am, LAKE SUPERIOR WRITERS’ SQUARE TABLE meets in the Annex Room (downstairs) At Sara's Table, 1902 E. 8th Street. This month, we’ll discuss “Truth in writing: Is it important?” This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow writers, discuss your projects, and talk about writers and writing. All are welcome, bring a friend! Questions? Call Mara at 728-1253.

Feb. 24, Fri 2 pm - Cheryl Strayed will read from her first novel, "Torch," in the UMD Library Rotunda. The event is sponsored by UMD Women's Studies.

LSW KUDOS News about LSW Members

BERYL SINGLETON BISSELL, whose first book “The Scent of God: A Memoir” is being released by Counterpoint in April 2006, is traveling to New York in February to meet the publisher, publicity and marketing people and to attend a media cocktail party the publisher is hosting for her and her book. “The Scent of God” transports the reader into the world of a young nun who must learn what it means to love until death. The book will be released in April 2006 by Counterpoint, the literary imprint of Perseus Press NY.

JAY GILBERTSON, author of “Moon Over Madeline Island” was recently interviewed on KAXE. A link to the interview and more news about Gilbertson’s projects are available at http://www.jaygilbertson.com/news.htm

BRUCE HENRICKSEN will sign “Ticket to a Lonely Town,” his short story collection, at Circle Books in Sarastota FL, on Feb. 17.

A manuscript of poems by MARK MAIRE of Duluth was named a finalist for the 2006 “Blueline” chapbook competition. “Blueline” is published at the State University of New York-Potsdam.

CONNIE WANEK Duluth, Minnesota poet and author of Bonfire (New Rivers Press) and Hartley Field (Holy Cow! Press, 2002) was one of two poets chosen by U. S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser for the 2006 Witter BynnerFellowship. She will receive $10,000 and read from her poetry at the Library of Congress on February 16th.

AREA LITERARY EVENTS

Feb. 7, Tue 11 am - Arrowhead Poets meeting in the café. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

Feb. 7, Tue 7 pm - In-Store Book Club discusses "Gilead" by Marilynne Robinson. Northern Lights Books & Gifts, 307 Canal Park Dr., 218-722-5267, www.norlights.com.

Feb. 8, Wed 6:30 pm - Classics Book Group discusses “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

Feb. 9, Thur 1 pm - New Fiction/Non Fiction Book Group discusses “In the Line of Beauty” by Alan Hollinghurst. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

Feb. 12, Sun 5:30 pm - Mystery Book Group will discuss “Needled to Death” by Maggie Sefton. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

Feb. 16, Wed. 7 pm - The Latest Book Group discusses “A Briefer History of Time” by Stephen Hawking. If you enjoy reading and discussing the newest books in every genre from science and medicine to psychology and current affairs, this new book group is for you! Join us! Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

Feb. 18, Sat 7:30 pm - the Spirit Lake Poetry Series sponsors the 10th ANNAUL ST. DAVID’S DAY OPEN READING in Somers Lounge at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth. The event includes brief readings by noted local poets such as Ellie Schoenfeld, Paul Lundgren and Barton Sutter, but anyone, published or not, is welcome to participate. The event honors the 886th anniversary of the canonization of St. David, the patron saint of Wales. Because the St. David’s Day Open Reading takes place so close to Valentine’s Day and Presidents’ Day, love poems and political poems are especially welcome. The first half of the evening is devoted to original work, the second half to favorite poems by other authors. Readers should limit themselves to 3 minutes in order to give equal time to everyone. Admission is free. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Dorothea Diver at 218-723-6718.

Feb. 20 - 23, BUSHRA REHMAN, New York Pakistani performance poet & writer, will appear at events in Duluth.
*** Feb. 20, Mon 6:30 pm Rehman will read in the UMD Kirby Ballroom..
*** Feb. 21, Tues, 1-2 pm, Rehman teaches a Slam Poetry Writing Workshop at UMD Kirby Garden Room. (Limit 25 people)..
*** Feb. 23, Thurs, 1-2 pm, Rehman teaches Slam Poetry Performance Workshop at UMD Kirby Garden Room. (Limit 25 people).
*** Feb. 23, Thur 8 pm, Rehman will be the guest speaker at a Poetry Slam at Pizza Luce, 11 E Superior St., Duluth. Rehman was raised in New York City, but has also lived in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. She is a poet and writer and the co-editor of "Colonize This! Young Women of Color on Today’s Feminism." In her work, Rehman tells stories of her immigrant upbringing in Queens, the aunties, bodegas, stray dogs, street life, and children, with both humor and sincerity. Her work has appeared in "Mizna," "Curve," and "Bottomfish." She performs regularly around the country and travels with a group of artists to bring Asian American literature to all parts of America. All events are presented by UMD Women's Studies and LSW. They were made possible by a UMD Chancellor’s Diversity Grant. All events are free and open to the public. To register, contact 726-8996. Need more info? Contact 218-726-7953 or 218-726-8996. For more info, visit: http://www.d.umn.edu/unirel/homepage/06/bushra-rehman.html

Feb 20, Mon 6:30 pm - Children's Writer's Group Meeting. Writers of children's fiction and non-fiction are invited to attend. JW Beecroft Books, 3631 Tower Ave., Superior, WI, 218-394-2665, www.jwbeecroft.com.

Feb. 20, Mon. 7:30 pm - Science Fiction Book Group discusses “Ender’s Shadow” by Orson Scott Card. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

Feb. 21, Tue 7 pm - Beecroft Writer's Group Meeting. Writers of short stories and poetry are invited to attend. JW Beecroft Books, 3631 Tower Ave., Superior, WI, 218-394-2665, www.jwbeecroft.com.

Feb. 21, Tue 7 pm - Notable Books Book Group discusses “The Red Queen” by Margaret Drabble. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

Feb. 24, Fri 7 pm - Cheryl Strayed will read from her debut novel “Torch.” Cheryl is an award-winning short story writer and essayist and her book has garnered remarkable early praise and rave advance reviews. It’s the moving story of a family struck down by random fate and how it learns to heal. Northern Lights Books & Gifts, 307 Canal Park Dr., 218-722-5267, www.norlights.com.

Feb. 25, Sat 1 pm - Lunch with author Cheryl Strayed. MN native Cheryl Strayed's brilliant debut novel is "TORCH," the story of a family left to find their way through grief when the mother unexpectedly dies of cancer. Learn more about Strayed's life and work at this special luncheon in the Beecroft cafe. Reservations and pre-payment are required; call 394-2665. 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..

WRITING GROUPS

NEWS / CONFERENCES / SUBMISSIONS/ OPPORTUNITIES

CALL FOR POLITICAL ART - “Reflections: a magazine for artists & writers” announces a call for political art. Deadline April 2, 2006. Ever created art for a cause? Ever been moved to speak out? Here's your chance to show your stuff. Small entry fee or become a subscriber and you can send up to 10 images via CD, print, or slide and/or 4 poems, short stories, or essay. All details and past issues available at http://www.reflectionsreflections.com

POETRY SUBMISSIONS REQUESTED - The Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets welcomes submissions for its 2007 WISCONSIN POETS’ CALENDAR. Adult residents of Wisconsin may submit up to two original, unpublished poems suitable for publication in a desk calendar. Maximum length of each poem: 30 lines, including spaces. The editors reserve the right to reject poems that do not fit the Calendar format. Poems may be in any style or form, and on any topic; seasonal poems are always welcome. Each poem should appear on a separate page that includes the writer’s name, address and phone number. Include a brief biographical note of three lines or less on a separate page. Poems will not be returned. Enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard for notification. E-mail submissions will be acknowledged upon receipt. Please do not send e-mail attachments; include the poem(s) and biography as part of the e-mail text. Send submissions by February 13, 2006 to: poetpow@charter.net or WFOP 2007 Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar, c/o Michael Belongie, 1421 Hiawatha Drive, Beaver Dam, WI 53916. The Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar is published annually by the Fellowship to promote the art of poetry for writers and readers. The calendars, available in bookstores, are distributed throughout the state for personal use and gift giving.

CALLING ALL POETS - The Reader Weekly is now accepting poetry submissions. Guidelines: Simultaneous and previously published poems acceptable as long as they know where the poem has appeared so they can give that publication credit. Send no more than 5 poems. Submission must include your name and address, and phone number if available. Poetry submitted via email is preferred. This will ensure it is printed in the same format in which you wrote it. No changes will be made to your poem. Email poems to: <nreader@cpinternet.com>nreader@cpinternet.com. In the subject line write Attn: Deb Ortman, poetry editor. Poems should either be attached as Microsoft Word documents (no Word Perfect formats please) or pasted as text in the body of the email. You may submit poems by mail in typed, standard format to the Reader Weekly at P.O. Box 16122, Duluth, MN 55816. Handwritten material will not be accepted. Include SASE if you wish your material to be returned. Pornographic or blatantly violent or vulgar language will not be printed. Poems longer than 40 lines, experimental or avant garde work will be held to especially high standards. No cliché - trite, contrived or overly sentimental poems. Comments not usually made on individual submissions. No payment for poems submitted.

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: March 25, 2006: Poets Ellie Schoenfeld, Deborah Cooper, Ann Niedringhaus, Anne Simpson, and Candace Ginsburg; 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

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

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.