| LSW Activities | LSW Kudos | Area Events | News/Contest/Submissions | | Lake Superior Writers Information | LSW Calendar | Writing Groups | Resources |
Compiled by LAKE SUPERIOR WRITERS

LSW ACTIVITIES AND NEWS

GREAT NORTHERN FESTIVAL OF WORDS fundraising news. GREAT NEWS! In December, LSW received word from the Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation that the foundation will grant LSW $3,500 for the April 2006 GREAT NORTHERN FESTIVAL OF WORDS. Thank youto the D-S Area Community Foundation for this generous grant, and to SUZANNA DIDIER, who wrote the grant. The Festival of Words has also received support from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, The College of St. Scholastica, Northern Lights Bookstore, Minnesota Public Radio, The Duluth News Tribune, and the Depot.

BOOK PUBLISHERS AND AUTHORS: JAN 10 IS DEADLINE TO RESERVE SPACE AT GREAT NORTHERN FESTIVAL OF WORDS BOOK FAIR. LSW invites local and regional publishers and authors to exhibit and sell their books at the first Great Northern Festival of Words on Saturday, April 22, 2006, 10 am to 5 pm at the Depot Great Hall in downtown Duluth. This unique event will feature publisher exhibits, readings, panel discussions, book signings, and literary magazines--all to celebrate our regional literary community. The event is free and open to the public. This is an excellent and inexpensive opportunity to display and sell your work to the public. Full table fees are $100, and $50 for half tables. Early registration is recommended as table space is limited. Registration deadline is January 10, 2006. To reserve your table, please visit www.lakesuperiorwriters.org and click on "Book Fair" for a downloadable registration form. Or write and request a registration form from Lake Superior Writers, 1301 Rice Lake Road, Suite 132, Duluth, MN 55811.

For more info about the Great Northern Festival of Words April 19-22, 2006 - including a presentation by NPR FRESH AIR host TERRY GROSS, a film screen writing presentation and discussion, and a Spirit Lake Poetry series reading by Denise Sweet, the 2004-2008 Wisconsin State Poet Laureate - visit www.lakesuperiorwriters.org
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LSW EVENTS
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Jan 19, 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 “What Makes a Good Critique?” 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.

Jan 19, Thur 7 to 9 pm - Lake Superior Writers presents AN EVENING OF MEMORIES, a reading of memoirs at the Chester Creek Cafe, East 8th Street & North 21st Avenue East,
Duluth. The reading features Steve Cherney, Kay Coventry, Mara Hart, Holly Palvere, Colette Pearson, Donna Schilling, Gail Trowbridge, and others. The event is free and open to
the public; refreshments and music will be provided. For additional information, please contact Lake Superior Writers, 218-722-3094.

Feb. 12, Sun 2 -4 pm -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. The event will include readings by area writers (to be announced in the Feb. e-calendar.) For more info, please contact the LSW office at 722-3094.

LSW KUDOS News about LSW Members

BRUCE HENRICKSEN will sign his story collection, “Ticket to a Lonely Town,” at Borders Books (Calhoun Square) in Minneapolis on Jan 21, 1-3 pm. He will also sign at the Maple Street Bookshop in New Orleans LA on Jan 28, 1-3 pm. The book is reviewed in the January issue of Minnesota Literature.

AREA LITERARY EVENTS

Jan 3, Tue 7 pm - In-Store Book Club discusses “Ordinary Wolves" by Seth Kantner. Northern Lights Books & Gifts, 307 Canal Park Dr., 218-722-5267, www.norlights.com.

Jan 8, Sun 5:30 pm ? Mystery Book Group discusses “The Beekeeper’s Apprentice” by Laurie R. King. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

Jan 11, Wed 6:30 pm ? Classics Book Group discusses “The Chosen” by Chaim Potok. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

Jan 12, Thur 1 pm ? New Fiction/Nonfiction Book Group discusses “Shantaram” by Gregory David Roberts. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

Jan 12, Thur 7 pm - Light Up the Night at the Depot - Readers & Writers - at the Depot Great Hall. Come and share your work on how a book has changed your life. Please sign up in advance. Live music, literary games, fun. Attendees are encouraged to come in costume, dressed “literarily,” and prizes will be given to all who dress up. $5 admission supports the Depot. Sponsored by Northern Lights Books & Gifts, 307 Canal Park Dr., 218-722-5267, www.norlights.com.

Jan 16, Mon 6:30 pm - Children's Writers' Group meeting. Writers of fiction and non-fiction for children are invited to attend. JW Beecroft Books, 3631 Tower Ave., Superior, WI, 218-394-2665, www.jwbeecroft.com.

Jan 17, Tue 7 pm ? Notable Books Group discusses “Saving Fish From Drowning” by Amy Tan. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

Jan 17, Tue 7 pm - Beecroft Writers' 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.

Jan 22, Sun 5:30 pm ? Mystery Book Group discusses “Busman’s Honeymoon” by Dorothy L. Sayers. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

Jan 23, Mon 7:30 pm ? Science Fiction Book Group discusses “The Dispossessed” by Ursula K. Le Guin. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

Jan 26, Wed 7 pm - Minnesota author Bill Durbin will sign his novels for intermediate readers, including "Blackwater Ben” and “The Darkest Evening.” JW Beecroft Books, 3631 Tower Ave., Superior, WI, 218-394-2665, www.jwbeecroft.com.

Jan 31, Tue 6:30 pm - Nature Reader's Book Club discusses “Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature” by Janine Benyus. Northern Lights Books & Gifts, 307 Canal Park Dr., 218-722-5267, www.norlights.com.

WRITING GROUPS

NEWS / CONFERENCES / SUBMISSIONS/ OPPORTUNITIES

BOOK NOMINATIONS REQUESTED - Nominations are now being accepted for the 18th ANNUAL NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA BOOK AWARDS. The awards recognize books about northeastern Minnesota that substantially represent its history, culture,
heritage, or lifestyle. To be eligible, a book must have been originally released in the year 2005. Anyone can nominate a book by submitting a nomination form along with
one copy of the title (forms and entry requirements may be found on the Web at
http://www.d.umn.edu/lib/nemba/nemba-nom-form.htm). The deadline for entries is February 1, 2006. Prizes will once again be awarded to winners and honorable mentions in the
categories of (1) Fiction, Poetry, Drama and (2) Nonfiction, Art, Scholarship. Nominated authors will be honored at an evening event on May 17, 2006. The site of the festivities
will be the first level of the UMD Library, beginning with a book fair at 6 p.m. in the library concourse followed by a program with a featured speaker, awards presentation, and
dessert reception. The NEMBA Celebration is a free community event presented each year by the UMD Library and Friends of the Duluth Public Library.

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.

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

NEW 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.

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. 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.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee announces its ANNUAL SPRING WRITERS FESTIVAL April 28-30, 2006. 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. More info to come. Questions? Contact Anne O’Meara at 414-227-3311 or aomeara@uwm.edu.

INTERMEDIATE POETRY CLASS OFFERED AT LAKE SUPERIOR COLLEGE - Amy Jo Swing will be teaching an Intermediate Poetry Writing course at Lake Superior College spring semester. The class will meet on Thursday nights from 6-9 pm Jan 19 to May 11. The class will be workshop-style, with participants bringing poems to read and share and learning more about the craft of poetry. Contact Amy Jo at a.swing@lsc.edu or 218-733-7670.

Spirit Lake Poetry Series continues: February 18, 2006: St. David's Day Open Reading; 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.