E-Calendar Dec 2007
LSW Activities and Events | LSW Kudos | Area Events | News/Contest/Submissions | Lake Superior Writers Information | About the LSW Calendar |
Compiled by LAKE SUPERIOR WRITERS

WELCOME TO LSW’s NEW E-CALENDAR EDITOR LSW member Phil Fitzpatrick. Send your info to him at calendar@lakesuperiorwriters.org.

LSW ACTIVITIES AND NEWS.

LSW ANNOUNCES SEARCH FOR 2008-10 DULUTH POET LAUREATE
Lake Superior Writers, the sponsoring organization for the Duluth Poet Laureate program, announces that applications are now open for the selection of the 2008/10 Duluth poet laureate. Poets who have lived or worked in the Duluth, Minnesota area for five of the past ten years, and who provide the requested application materials according to the guidelines, are eligible. The 2008/10 Duluth poet laureate will be selected by a committee of representatives from Duluth's literary community, related businesses, colleges and universities and those interested in the field of poetry. The Duluth Poet Laureate project was established in 2005; Barton Sutter was chosen as its first poet laureate in 2006. Sutter has organized five poetry-themed events and his inaugural poet laureate reading was attended by over 250 people. His tenure as Duluth poet laureate will conclude with a nature poetry reading scheduled for March, 2008. Since the establishment of this award, several Minnesota cities have selected poet laureates, including Saint Paul (Carol Connolly), Red Wing (Robert Hedin), and Winona (James Armstrong). Efforts are now underway to select a Minnesota State Poet Laureate, to be announced in January, 2008. The 2008/10 Duluth Poet Laureate will be awarded a $3,000 honorarium for a two-year term. Funding for the poet laureate project is provided by area organizations who are represented on the poet laureate selection committee. Applications guidelines and more information about the 2008/10 Duluth poet laureate project can be found at the Lake Superior Writers website, www.lakesuperiorwriters.org, or by writing to: Duluth Poet Laureate Program, c/o Lake Superior Writers, 1301 Rice Lake Road, Suite 132, Duluth, Minnesota 55811, telephone number 218-722-3904, or by e-mail: pl@lakesuperiorwriters.org. Application guidelines are also available at the Reference Desk of the Duluth Public Library. The application deadline for the 2008/10 Duluth Poet Laureate program is mid-February, 2008. A crowning ceremony and reception for the new Duluth poet laureate will take place on April 12, 2008 at the Sacred Heart Music Center, Duluth.

FICTION/POETRY WRITING GROUP, 6 - 8 p.m. (meets third Wednesday of the month) at Sara's Table, 1902 E. 8th Street. Contact Jill Hinners (349-6431) or Cheryl Reitan (creitan@d.umn.edu, 218-728-3154).

LSW WRITERS’ SQUARE TABLE, NO Dec MEETING (normally meets third Thursday of the month at Sara's Table) Open to all. Contact Mara, (218) 728-1253 or mhart2@d.umn.edu.

MEMOIR WRITING GROUP, Dec 16, 2 -4 pm. Contact Mara for directions to the meeting place, (218) 728-1253 or mhart2@d.umn.edu.

LSW PLAY-READING GROUP, NO Dec MEETING. Join LSW members at Sara's Table, 1902 E. 8th Street to read from a new anthology. All are welcome. Contact Mara, 218-728-1253 or mhart2@d.umn.edu.

SCREENWRITERS GROUP, Contact Marion Gustafson. Bring old samples, new samples or whatever you're currently working on. Lots of encouragement and caffeine! Questions: 279-5720 (work) or marionkae@yahoo.com

LSW KUDOS News about LSW Members back to top 

JEANNIE EDDY's short story, "Goose and Grimm Incorporated", and her flash fiction story, "Back In The Saddle Again", have been published in the Winter 2007 issue of Apollo's Lyre Ezine. Both of these stories will also be published in the Dec 2007 issue of Long Story Short Ezine.

LACEY LOUWAGIE will be having one of her poems published in the feminist anthology "Just Like a Girl: A Manifesta!" in August, 2008.

CAL BENSON just published a book of poetry, Dakota Boy, through Calyx Press of Duluth.

MARIE ZHUIKOV has published the story "Providing Meaning Through Music: Music Therapist Jody Montgomery" in the latest issue of The Woman Today magazine.

LIZ MINETTE's poem "This" will be published in Main Channel Voices, a literary magazine out of Winona, MN. The Winter 2008 issue of MCV will be published this Dec.

JAN CHRONISTER, Maple, won First Place in the Theme category of the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets annual Triad Contest. Naomi Cochran, Hayward, won Third Place in the Theme category of the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets annual Triad Contest. Ann Penton, Sarona, won an Honorable Mention in the Poet's Choice category. Awards were presented at the WFOP Fall Conference in Marshfield on Nov. 10.

AREA LITERARY EVENTS back to top

Circular Muse open mic(s): Mondays at Amazing Grace Bakery & Cafe, 9-11pm, Dewitt-Seitz Bldg. Wednesdays at Beaner's Central, 7-10 pm. Info: 624-5957.

Dec 3, Monday, 6 pm, READING: Sounds of Poetry at The First Stage, 514 Chestnut Street, Virginia, MN. The topic for this month is "Gifts". Sit back and listen or participate by reading or reciting your favorite poems. Refreshments are provided. A suggested donation of $3 is asked to cover expenses. For more information call 741-5577.

Dec 1, Saturday, 11 AM - 12:30 PM Booksigning: Joy Morgan Dey and Nikki Johnson “Agate” Northern Lights Books and Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth MN 55802, 218-722-5267, 800-868-8904, www.norlights.com

Dec 1, Saturday, 1-2 PM Booksigning: Shirley Wuchter “Shining Through the Darkness: Sermons of the Winter” Northern Lights Books and Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth MN 55802, 218-722-5267, 800-868-8904, www.norlights.com

Dec 1, Saturday, 11 AM Book Signing: Jim Klobuchar will be signing his new book Pieces of My Heart: Everyone has an Everest. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, MN 55811, 218-786-0710.

Dec 1, Saturday, 2 PM Book Signing: Award winning photographer Craig Blacklock will be signing his new book Minnesota’s North Shore. This book includes a 2-hour DVD. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, MN 55811, 218-786-0710.

Dec 1, Saturday, 3-5 PM Reading/Book Signing: Members of Lake Superior Writers will read poetry and prose in celebration of the season. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, MN 55811, 218-786-0710.

Dec 1, Saturday, ONE-DAY WRITING WORKSHOPS Workshops offered: Parents With Bylines, Imagination Navigation, Exploring Point of View, Life After the First Draft, The Personal Journal, Self-Publishing and Print on Demand, Poetry Revision, and Making a Scene. Workshops give students hours of inspiration and contemplation regarding the written word?all that in a few hours on a Saturday! Students gain insight and tips from talented, engaging, and knowledgeable Loft instructors--writers who have “been there, done that.” See the Loft catalog at www.loft.org or call 612-379-8999. Open Book, 1011 Washington Avenue South, Minneapolis

Dec 2, Sunday, 12 Noon Book Signing: Arvonne Fraser will sign copies of her book: She’s No Lady: Politics, Family, and International Feminism. Introduction by Garrison Keillor. Stop in to meet one of the founding mothers of the women’s movement. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, MN 55811, 218-786-0710.

Dec 2, Sunday, 3 PM Book Signing: Kathryn Nordstrom will be signing her book The Fish House Book: Life On Ice In The Northland. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, MN 55811, 218-786-0710.

Dec 4, Tuesday, 6:30 PM In-Store Book Group and Pages & Purls Book Group, Green Mill Restaurant, “Pearls on a String” by Martha Aas Reservations Required. Call Store Northern Lights Books and Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth MN 55802, 218-722-5267, 800-868-8904, www.norlights.com

Dec 7, Friday, from 2-4 PM Presentation/ Book Signing: The Minnesota Crime Wave. Take advantage of this opportunity to meet three of the countries best mystery writers: Carl Brookins, Ellen Hart, and William Kent Krueger. They will be signing Resort to Murder, as well as their most recent individual titles. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, MN 55811, 218-786-0710.

Dec 8, Saturday, 10-11 AM Booksigning: Mary Cassanova “The Klipfish Code” Northern Lights Books and Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth MN 55802, 218-722-5267, 800-868-8904, www.norlights.com

Dec 8, Saturday, 11 AM - 12 PM Booksigning: Andrew Slade “Skiing the North Shore” Northern Lights Books and Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth MN 55802, 218-722-5267, 800-868-8904, www.norlights.com

Dec 8, Saturday, 12-2 PM Booksigning: Sam Cook “Moving Waters” Northern Lights Books and Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth MN 55802, 218-722-5267, 800-868-8904, www.norlights.com

Dec 8, Saturday, at 1 PM Book Signing: Chuck Frederick will be signing his book Leatherheads of the North: The True Story of Ernie Nevers and the Duluth Eskimos. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, MN 55811, 218-786-0710.

Dec 8, Saturday, 1-2 PM Booksigning: Dave Benson “Owls of the North” Northern Lights Books and Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth MN 55802, 218-722-5267, 800-868-8904, www.norlights.com

Dec 8, Saturday, 2-3 PM Booksigning: Minnesota Crime Wave (William Kent Krueger, Ellen Hart and Carl Brookins) “Resort to Murder” Northern Lights Books and Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth MN 55802, 218-722-5267, 800-868-8904, www.norlights.com

Dec 8, Saturday, 3:30 PM Book Signing: Bruce Henricksen will be signing his new books After the Floods, and From the Other World: Poems in Memory of James Wright. Free. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, MN 55811, 218-786-0710.

Dec 8, Saturday, ONE-DAY WRITING WORKSHOPS Workshops offered: Style: Elements of Writing, Self-Editing, Writing Children’s Books for the Educational Market, Adaptations for Stage and Screen, Publish Your Short Story, and Writing Your Way Home. Workshops give students inspiration and contemplation regarding the written word?all that in a few hours on a Saturday! Students gain insight and tips from talented, engaging, and knowledgeable Loft instructors--writers who have “been there, done that.” See the Loft catalog at www.loft.org or call 612-379-8999. Open Book, 1011 Washington Avenue South, Minneapolis. Open Book, 1011 Washington Avenue South, Minneapolis

Dec 9, Sunday, 1 PM Storytime with The Minnesota Ballet. Several members of the Minnesota Ballet, in costumes from the Nutcracker, will be our special guests. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, MN 55811, 218-786-0710.

Dec 9, Sunday, at 2 PM Book Signing: Photographer/Writer Jeff Richter will sign copies of his fascinating new book White Deer: Ghosts of the Forest. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, MN 55811, 218-786-0710.

Dec 11, Tuesday, at 11 AM Lou Nanne and Bob Showers signing: Minnesota North Stars. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, MN 55811, 218-786-0710.

Dec 12, Wednesday, 7 p.m. LOFT STUDENT READING Fall term Loft students read from their latest work. Free and open to the public. , Open Book, 1011 Washington Avenue South, Minneapolis

Dec 15, Saturday, at 1 PM Book Signing: Author & columnist Sam Cook will sign copies of his book Moving Waters: Adventures on Northern Rivers. Matthew Sanford will make a presentation at the College of St. Scholastica on Wednesday, November, 14, 2007 at 7 PM in the Mitchell Auditorium, followed by a book signing. Books will be provided by Barnes & Noble Bookstore.

Dec 15, Saturday, 12-1 PM Booksigning: Peggy Snow & Brian Barber “My Favorite Sounds from A to Z” Northern Lights Books and Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth MN 55802, 218-722-5267, 800-868-8904, www.norlights.com Saturday, Dec 15, 1-2 PM Booksigning: Kathryn Nordstrom “Fish House” Northern Lights Books and Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth MN 55802, 218-722-5267, 800-868-8904, www.norlights.com

Dec 15, Saturday, 12:30 to 3:30 pm, Launch party for Lost Hills Books, with publisher Bruce Henricksen, at Tejas on 50th and France Av. S. Poets in “From the Other World: Poems in Memory of James Wright” will read at 2 pm.

Dec 16, Sunday, 2-3 PM Booksigning: Lise Lunge-Larson “The Adventures of Thor the Thunder God” Northern Lights Books and Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth MN 55802, 218-722-5267, 800-868-8904, www.norlights.com

Dec 16, Sunday, 1-2 PM Booksigning: Kelly Dupre “The Littlest Christmas Kitten” Northern Lights Books and Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth MN 55802, 218-722-5267, 800-868-8904, www.norlights.com

Dec 16, Sunday, noon-1 pm, LSW writer Sheila Packa will sign her book of poems, “The Mother Tongue,” published by Calyx Press at Northern Lights Books and Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth MN 55802, 218-722-5267, 800-868-8904, www.norlights.com

January 8, Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. EVENT HAPPY HOUR BOOK CLUB RAKING THROUGH BOOKS This event offers readers the chance to discuss literature with writers and each other in a super-casual setting. Free appetizers. Cosponsored by the Loft, The Rake magazine, Kieran’s Irish Pub, University of MN Book Store, Peace Coffee, and KFAI Radio, Kieran’s Irish Pub, 330 2nd Avenue South, Minneapolis More information: www.loft.org.

Loft Calendar for November can be accessed at http://www.loft.org

NEWS / CONFERENCES / SUBMISSIONS/ OPPORTUNITIES back to top

Poetry Workshop: Amy Jo Swing will be teaching a poetry workshop class at Lake Superior College in the Spring 2008 semester. The course meets Tuesday nights from 6-9 p.m. For more information, contact Amy Jo at a.swing@lsc.edu.

HOLY COW! PRESS CELEBRATES 30 YEARS (1977-2007) Holy Cow! Press was founded in 1977 by editor/publisher Jim Perlman in Minneapolis. Their first publication was a chapbook of poems by Thomas McGrath to his son, LETTERS TO TOMASITO. In the ensuing 30 years, they have published over 80 titles and have moved the press operations to Iowa and Wisconsin before returning for good to Minnesota (Duluth) in 1988. They have published books of poetry, short fictions, memoirs, novels, plays, children's and young adult titles, biographies and anthologies centered around important themes. Among the many authors they have published are Brenda Ueland, Meridel Le Sueur, Frederick Manfred, Ruth F. Brin, Roberta J. Hill, Louis Jenkins, Connie Wanek, Jim Johnson, Joseph Bruchac, Diane Glancy, and Ray A. Young Bear. They have published the first full-length books by a number of authors including Natalie Goldberg, Kate Green, Dianne Hunter, Kirsten Dierking, Earl Fleck, Patricia Kirkpatrick, and Philip Red Eagle. More information about Holy Cow! Press can be found at their website, www.holycowpress.org

ARAC Seeks Board Members
The ARAC is currently seeking applications from individuals to fill the Koochiching County Board position and an At-Large Board position. Persons applying for the At-Large Board position may live in any of the seven counties, but not in Duluth. The ARAC serves individual artists and non-profit arts organizations who reside in the following seven counties which make up the Arrowhead Region: Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake and St. Louis. The Council seeks individuals who represent various art forms as well as various arts perspectives such as active artists in all disciplines, artists from communities of color, arts supporters/collectors, and individuals with knowledge of the regional arts community and arts organizations. The ARAC is the primary source of arts funding in northeastern Minnesota, awarding over $160,000 in grants annually. The deadline for submitting an application is January 4, 2008. The available term runs through June 30, 2009. Individuals may apply directly or be nominated by others. For more information about Board members responsibilities or to receive an application form, please contact the ARAC office. Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, 1301 Rice Lake Road, Suite 111, Duluth, MN 55811, 1-218-722-0952, 1-800-569-8134 or email: info@aracouncil.org

ARAC Announces Grant Application Deadlines: The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council announces upcoming grant deadlines for funding for individual artists and arts organizations who reside in the following counties: Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake and St. Louis. Beginning this year, the ARAC will offer grant writing workshops from 3 to 5 pm in the Common Area of the Marshall School Annex Building, 1301 Rice Lake Road, Duluth, two weeks prior to each grant application deadline.
Wed, Jan 16, 2008 Grant Writing Workshop: Bob DeArmond, Executive Director, will provide technical assistance in preparing and submitting an application, grant writing tips, project eligibility and other topics. Representatives from arts organizations interested in applying for project support are encouraged to attend this workshop. The workshop is free.
Thur, Jan 31, 2008 ARAC Art Project Grant applications deadline. This matching grant program offers funding to arts organizations of up to $4,000 to produce or present arts activities that encourage the artistic growth and development of the organization and the artists or audience they serve.

The Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets is now accepting submissions for the 2009 Wisconsin Poets Calendar. Wisconsin residents over 18 may submit up to three poems for consideration and there is no entry fee. Deadline is February 1. For more information, go to the calendar section at www.wfop.org. WFOP is also accepting entries for the annual Muse contest. Wisconsin residents may submit one poem. There is an entry
fee and the deadline is February 1. The First Place award is $250. For more information, go to the contests section at
www.wfop.org

Travel and Study Grant Program
The 2008 Travel and Study Grant Program will award grants to emerging creative artists (writers of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and spoken work; film and video directors; and choreographers). Minnesota-based executive and program administrators working for nonprofit organizations in literature, film/video, and dance are also eligible to apply. The deadline for proposals in Literature, Film/Video and Dance is February 13, 2008. Applications must be postmarked on or before the deadline to be eligible for consideration. Fax and e-mail submissions are not permitted. Application materials are available on the web site at www.jeromefdn.org and in paper form upon request to the Jerome Foundation office.

The 2008 Travel and Study Grant Program is supported by the General Mills Foundation, the Art and Martha Kaemmer Fund of HRK Foundation, and the Jerome Foundation. Music, Theater, and Visual Arts applications will be accepted in 2009. Guidelines and application forms for the 2009 Program will be available in November 2008.

The Travel and Study Grant Program places emphasis on individual exploration and growth. The program supports dialogue on aesthetic issues, the experience of seeing work outside of Minnesota or New York City, time for reflection and individualized study, the development of collaborations, participation in specific training programs, and research leading to the creation of new work. This is NOT a grants program that supports the production of new work. Applications and guidelines in Literature, Film/Video and Dance may be found on the Foundation's website: http://www.jeromefdn.org. They may also be obtained from the Jerome Foundation, 400 Sibley Street, Suire 125, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101-1928. Telephone: 651.224.9431 or 1-800-995-3766. Travel and Study Grant Program Administered by: Jerome Foundation, 400 Sibley Street, Suite 125, St. Paul, MN 55101.

Poetry Therapists Conference
The National Association of Poetry Therapists will hold its 28th Annual Conference. "Reaching out/Reaching In: Expressive Writing for Healing, Growth and Well-being." in Minneapolis from April 2-6, 2008 at the Millenium Hotel. The conference features poet Patricia Smith; Keynote Speaker Ruth Gender. To register or for more information, contact NAPTKeller@yahoo.com or to free (866) 844-6278. http://www.poetrytherapy.org/

SPIRIT LAKE POETRY SERIES
Spirit Lake Poetry Series performances are held in Somers Lounge at the College of St. Scholastica at 7:30 p.m. and include music and refreshments. The schedule includes: Feb. 16 - St. David's Day Open Reading, March 15 - Louis Jenkins, April 26 - Paul Zimmer.

LSW 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.

ABOUT THE LSW BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE LSW MEMBERSHIP Member Involvement: We value our membership and encourage your involvement in LSW. An annual meeting for LSW members is held in the spring. All members are invited to participate. Financial reports and a summary of the year's activities are presented to the membership at the annual meeting for review. The LSW board meets monthly throughout the year. Members are invited to attend board meetings, review minutes, and look over financial statements.

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.

Your editor for this issue of the e-calendar was LSW member and volunteer Phil Fitzpatrick.