LSW ACTIVITIES AND NEWS.

SUMMER READING SERIES. Read to tourists and locals in Duluth and Superior this summer. Contact Cal Benson at calbenmn@chartermi.net or 218-724-2724. LSW writers will conduct short readings in hotels on the water, on the Lake Walk, at Parks and Rec events, coffee houses, pubs, and perhaps from the stage in Leif Erickson Park. (All we really need to pull this off is a place to plug in our new microphone--and readers, of course.) Writers' selections should reflect the Northern Minnesota/Wisconsin region.

MEMOIR WRITING GROUP, July 15, Sun 3:00-5:00 pm - meets at Sara’s Table, 1902 E. 8th St. All welcome.

FICTION/POETRY WRITING GROUP. July 18, 6 - 8 p.m. (third Wednesday of the month) at Sara's Table. Contact Jill Hinners (349-6431) or Cheryl Reitan (creitan@d.umn.edu, 218-728-3154).

LSW WRITERS’ SQUARE TABLE, July 19, Thur 11:30 am. Meet in the Annex at Sara's Table, 1902 E. 8th Street (to the left as you enter). July Topic: Writing Retreats. How to plan one for yourself. Open to all. Contact Mara, (218) 728-1253 or mhart2@d.umn.edu.

LSW PLAY-READING GROUP, July 26, Thur, 5 pm. Join fellow Lake Superior in the Annex at Sara’s Table to read from a new anthology, which will be available for purchase. Contact Mara, 218-728-1253 or mhart2@d.umn.edu.

LSW KUDOS News about LSW Members back to top 

MARTHA AAS’ memoir “Pearls on a String” was recently published.

ERIC CHANDLER's article "Challenge Accepted" was published in the July 2007 issue of Silent Sports magazine. It describes a mountain biking trip he took in the Chequamegon National Forest in Wisconsin.

TRACY NELSON MAURER’s new historical children's picture book, "Storm Codes" was released July 4 from Windward Publishing. Tracy worked on the book with the LSW Children's Writers Group a few years ago. The book is children’s historical fiction presenting the sights and sounds of Great Lakes shipping in the late 1960s through the eyes of a young girl. Visit www.stormcodes.com for more info about the book.

LIZ MINETTE’S poem "A full moon flags" will be published in "What Light" on the mnartists.org and Magers & Quinn's websites.

PAULA J. PEDERSEN had an article published in Minnesota's Lavender Magazine. http://www.lavendermagazine.com/artman/publish/article_4485.php

DOVETAILED PRESS LLC of Duluth will be releasing two new books in July: “Scott House Souvenirs” by James Sheetz and Marlene Wisuri will be released in July. Scott House is a homestead located three miles south of Carlton, Minnesota, on Lac La Belle. It was the site of a stage stop inn on the first road to connect St. Paul with northern Wisconsin and Minnesota during the Military Road era during the 1850s and 60s. Scott House has a colorful past as an inn, garden market farm, and family residence. For further information see www.dovetailedpress.com or e-mail dovetail@cpinternet.com. The authors will be signing books at Carlton Daze on July 28 from 1 - 3 p.m. with other signings to be scheduled. A series of color and toned photographs by Marlene Wisuri from the Scott House book will be shown in a Viewing From the Vault exhibition at the North Shore Bank of Commerce in Cloquet beginning on July 16.
“Between the Waters: Tracing the Northwest Trail from Lake Superior to the Mississippi” by historian Larry Luukkonen will be launched at a book signing and reading on Wednesday, July 25, at 6:30 p.m. at the Cloquet Public Library. The book should appeal to anyone interested in travel and exploration. It is the story of an important but overlooked wilderness water and land route that connected three major waterways in an era when waterways were the only practical means of penetrating the vast wilderness that covered North America. For further information contact the author at 218/426-3035 or www.dovetailedpress.com or by e-mail at dovetail@cpinternet.com.

AREA LITERARY EVENTS back to top

July 7, Sat 11-12:30 am - Creators of “Agate, What Good Is a Moose?” Joy Morgan Dey and Nikki Johnson present a painting demonstration, reading and book signing for the Lake County Historical Society 100th Anniversary and Heritage Days Art & Craft Fair, Two Harbors, MN on the train platform at the Depot. Call 722-5002 for information.

July 7, Sat 12 pm. Booksigning. John Green signs “Natural History and Geology Along the Superior Hiking Trail Through Duluth Minnesota.” Northern Lights Books & Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth. 218-722-5267; www.norlights.com

July 7, Sat 1 pm. Booksigning. Mark Munger signs “Esther’s Race.” Northern Lights Books & Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth. 218-722-5267; www.norlights.com

July 9, 16, 23, 30 (Mondays) Open Mics Mondays at Amazing Grace Bakery & Cafe, 9-11 pm, Dewitt-Seitz Bldg. July 13, 18, 25 (Wednesdays) at Beaner's Central, 7-10 pm, Info: 624-5957.

July 11, Wed 7-11 pm. Open Mic at Beaner’s Central, 324 N. Central Ave., Duluth. For more info visit www.beanerscentral.com

July 12, Thur 1 pm. Booksigning. Ellen Baker signs “Keeping the House.” Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

July 12, Thur 7 pm. Mark Munger signs “Esther’s Race.” Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710. July 14, Sat 11 am. Booksigning. Craig Blacklock signs “Minnesota’s North Shore.” Northern Lights Books & Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth. 218-722-5267; www.norlights.com

July 14, Sat 11-12:30 pm - Creators of Agate, What Good Is a Moose? Joy Morgan Dey and Nikki Johnson present a painting demonstration, reading and book signing during Art in the Park, Agate Days in Moose Lake, MN. Call 722-5002 for information.

July 14, Sat 1 pm. Booksigning. Cheryl Stayed signs “Torch.” Northern Lights Books & Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth. 218-722-5267; www.norlights.com

July 14, Sat 2 pm. Susanne Kobe Schuler signs “Back of Beyond: A Memoir from the North Woods.” Northern Lights Books & Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth. 218-722-5267; www.norlights.com

July 14, Sat 3 pm. Ellen Baker signs “Keeping the House.” Northern Lights Books & Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth. 218-722-5267; www.norlights.com

July 15, Sun 4 pm - Sunday Salon with author Cheryl Strayed reading from her book "Torch" and discussing reading and writing. Drury Lane Books, 12 E. Wisconsin St., Grand Marais, MN 55604, 218-387-3370, 888-887-3370, http://www.drurylanebooks.com.

July 23, Mon 2 pm - Patricia L. Brooks will lead a Memorable Memoirs workshop at UMD as part of the UMD Summer Program for Seniors. Why and how she became a memoir writer and award winning author, ideas to begin your memoir writing journey, organizational tips, and research ideas to conquer the truth with selected readings from her current book and work in progress. West Griggs Multi-Purpose Room, Center of Campus, Free Event. Please REGISTER at sumhsg@d.umn.edu. Seating is limited. For more information on the workshop visit www.plbrooks.com

July 25, Wed 8 pm - Poets Ellie Schoenfeld, Ann Niedringhaus, and Deborah Cooper will read from their works at "Take Back the Fight: Get Out of Iraq Now," an anti-war event at The Amazing Grace Bakery. Also on the program are musicians Matthew Ray and Sara Thomsen, and State Representative Mike Jaros. Mark Twain (a.k.a. Phil Fitzpatrick) will serve as "guest host."

July 26, Thur 3-4:30 pm. Booksigning. Tracy Nelson Maurer will sign her new children’s book “Storm Codes” at Ironworld Discovery Center, Chisholm, MN.

July 28, Sat 11 am. Booksigning. William Kent Krueger signs “Copper River.” Northern Lights Books & Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth. 218-722-5267; www.norlights.com

July 28, Sat 1 pm. Booksigning. Marilyn Jax signs “The Find.” Northern Lights Books & Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth. 218-722-5267; www.norlights.com

July 28, Sat 3 pm. Booksigning. William Kent Krueger signs his latest Cork O’Connor mystery, “Thunder Bay.” Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

July 29, Sun 8 pm - Annual Full Moon Music Gathering, outside on the lake shore. Watch the full moon rise over the lake while singing around the campfire with the North Shore Harmony Singers. Drury Lane Books, 12 E. Wisconsin St., Grand Marais, MN 55604, 218-387-3370, 888-887-3370, http://www.drurylanebooks.com.

July 30, Mon 7 pm. An Evening With Alden Carter, Duluth Main Public Library Green Room. Alden Carter will talk about his writing and read from his latest novel at a special program for teens and adults.

Aug 2, Thur 7 pm. Ely Writers Read. Meet the first Thursday of each month at the Front Porch in Ely. Read what you have written or just listen. Share ideas about writing, do short writing exercises, and enjoy good company. For info, contact astewartu@rangenet.com.

Aug 4, Sat 12-1 pm. Booksigning. Tracy Nelson Maurer, author, and Christina Rodriguez, illustrator, sign their children’s book “Storm Codes.” Northern Lights Books & Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth. 218-722-5267; www.norlights.com

Aug 6, Mon 6 pm - Sam Black, Sounds of Poetry (first Monday of each month) at the First Stage gallery and performance space, 514 Chestnut Street, Virginia, MN. $3, 218-741-5577.

NEWS / CONFERENCES / SUBMISSIONS/ OPPORTUNITIES back to top

GREAT LAKES STORY & PHOTO CONTEST: The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition is asking people to submit their stories and photos. They’re looking for the story about the Lake Erie fishing trip gone awry, the Lake Michigan family vacation that people are still talking about today, or the photo off the shores of Lake Superior that still causes you to chuckle. Submit stories and photos about people and the lakes that fill us with laughter, sadness, nostalgia, or wonder, and maybe even inspire us to think about the Great Lakes in a new way. The contest, which runs through August 20, seeks to inspire people of all ages to submit their stories and photos for a chance to win prizes. The contest features four contest categories: General story, Fishing story, Camping story, Photo. Every month in June, July and August, the contest will award prizes in each of the above-mentioned categories in the following age groups: Child (K-8th grade), High school student (9-12th grade), Adult. Deadlines are June 20, July 20, and August 20. Grand prizes include two outdoor adventure packages, including a kayak, tent and sleeping bag and two photography packages, including a digital camera. Over $7,500 in prizes will be awarded. Corporate sponsors include Meijer and REI. Educational sponsors include the Akron Zoo, Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield Zoo, Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin, John Ball Zoo, and Shedd Aquarium. Entry guidelines and rules can be found by visiting http://www.healthylakes.org, or by mailing a request to: Great Lakes Story & Photo Contest, National Wildlife Federation, 213 W. Liberty St., Suite 200, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104.

POETRY COLLECTION TO HONOR JAMES WRIGHT - A collection of poems by various hands is being compiled to honor the memory of James Wright. Contributions are arriving from around the country, but space remains. For guidelines, email Bruce at bhenricksn@charter.net and type "James Wright" on the subject line.

MANUSCRIPTS WANTED FOR POETRY ANTHOLOGY - Holy Cow! Press would like to consider poems that express grief and gratitude for lost loved ones (parents, grandparents, relatives, friends, lovers, et al). We would especially like to include poems from a wide variety of religious, spiritual, and cultural beliefs. Both new work and previously published poems are welcome. Limit: up to three poems and six pages in length. Deadline for submissions: October 1st, 2007, with publication in Fall, 2008. Please include a SASE and adress your poems to: The Editors, "Poems of Grief and Gratitude Anthology," Holy Cow! Press, PO Box 3170, Mount Royal Station, Duluth, Minnesota.

CALL FOR POEMS. visit www.mnartists.org for info about submitting work for future online publication in Mnartists.org’s “What Light.”

MINNESOTA LITERATURE wants info about reading/ workshop/ publication parties/ call for manuscripts. This is a free listing. Include the date, time, location, contact phone # and cost (if any) of your event. Lucy Vilankulu, Editor, Minnesota Literature, 3723 Glendale Terrace, Minneapolis, MN 55410, http://www.minnesotaliterature.org, 612-827-0432.

THE LOFT LITERARY CENTER in Minneapolis, MN has several events for writers each month. See http://www.loft.org/ for info.

NEWS

STATE LITERARY NEWS MINNESOTA TO GET STATE POET LAUREATE (by Tim Pugmire, Minnesota Public Radio, July 2, 2007) A formal search will begin later this year for Minnesota's official poet laureate. St. Paul, Minn.. State lawmakers passed a measure this year, as part of a broad state government bill, to establish the unpaid position. The law that took effect this week directs the Minnesota Humanities Center to solicit nominations and then make a recommendation to the governor. Stanley Romanstein, the president and CEO of the humanities center, says the poet laureate will share is or her own poetry, while promoting the work of other poets. "We're looking for someone who's going to be willing to travel throughout the state, to talk with people in libraries and community centers about poetry, and what it is and how it can go toward improving people's lives and helping them to understand who they are in the world around them," says Romanstein. Romanstein says the state has a large pool of talent to pick from. "Since the Legislature adjourned, and word began to sift out that indeed Minnesota was going to name a poet laureate, I've been practically deluged with nominations and people saying, 'I have someone I want to recommend who is wonderful, and who will represent the state incredibly well,'" says Romanstein. Romanstein says a selection committee is being formed now and will put out a call for nominations in September. Gov. Pawlenty will select a poet laureate from a list of three finalists in January 2008. An attempt in 2005 to create the state poet laureate position failed, when Gov. Pawlenty vetoed the bill.

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

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