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

IT’S AN LSW VERSION OF AMERICAN IDOL! Vote online for the MN Book Awards "People's Choice" award at: It takes only a minute to make your vote. LSW members include "Promises Vague yet Certain" by Donald Dass in the Fine Book category, and "Response" in the Poetry category (see below)! Both books are published by Calyx Press. Voting ends April 15. To vote see
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/16768836.htm

NORTHERN PRINTS GALLERY “EROTIC JUSTICE, A DIALOGUE ON CONTEMPORARY SEXUALITY” through March 31; Opening & Reading, Feb 28, 5-8 pm, 318 N. 14th Ave. E., Duluth. Six Northern Printmakers Alliance printmakers and six Lake Superior Writers have come together to dialogue on various issues of contemporary sexuality. A chapbook of the literary works will be available at the gallery (publisher: Calyx Press Duluth). Writers include: Jeff Holden, Sheila Packa, Barton Sutter, Ellie Schoenfeld, John McCormick and Mara Kirk Hart.

* LSW WRITERS’ SQUARE TABLE March 15, Thur 11:30 am — LAKE SUPERIOR WRITERS’ SQUARE TABLE meets in the Annex at Sara's Table, 1902 E. 8th Street (the room to the left as you enter). Topic: Finding a central metaphor for your poem/story/memoir. Open to all.

* LSW PLAY-READING GROUP March 22, Thur 5 pm — Are you a closet thespian? A budding playwright? Or perhaps you’d just like to explore a different literary form — Join fellow Lake Superior Writers who meet on the fourth Thursday of each month in the Annex at Sara’s Table to read plays from “Humana Festival 2004: The Complete Plays,” edited by Tanya Palmer, Hanover, NH, Smith & Kraus, 2005. This month, we’ll read “After Ashley” by Gina Gionfriddo, have dinner and discuss. Books are available for purchase. Questions? Call Mara at 218-728-1253 or email her at mhart2@d.umn.edu

* LSW HOSTS POET RICHARD SOLLY FOR WORKSHOP & READING March 31, Sat 1-3 pm — POETRY AS A JOURNEY - a poetry workshop with RICHARD SOLLY. St. Paul poet Richard Solly is author of "From Where the Rivers Come." Writer’s Conference Room, 1301 Rice Lake Rd. Duluth. Register by March 26. $25/members. $35/non-members. To register, leave a message at 722-3094. —and on March 31, Sat 7 pm - LSW presents Richard Solly reading his work and signing books at the Red Mug. The Red Mug is located at the corner of Broadway and Hammond in Superior, Wisconsin.

* FRANCINE STERLE POETRY WORKSHOP — POETS IN THE PAINTER'S HOUSE April 21, Sat 10 am-noon— Poets in the Painter's House, a poetry workshop with Francine Sterle, author of "Nude in Winter," "Every Bird is One Bird" and "The White Bridge." Lake Superior Writer’s Conference Room, 1301 Rice Lake Rd. Duluth. Register by March 26. $25/members. $35/non-members. To register, leave a message at 722-3094.

DULUTH OUTLOUD: A SENSE OF PLACE April 28, Sat 7 pm - "Duluth Outloud: A Sense of Place" at LaFayette Community Center, 3026 Minnesota Avenue, Duluth. This poetry reading, to celebrate Duluth and the surrounding region, is organized by Duluth poet laureate Bart Sutter. The poetry reading will feature 12 poets, including Cal Benson, Gary Boelhower, Deborah Cooper, Jean Alice Jacobson, Jim Johnson, Paul Lundgren, Liz Minette, Sheila Packa, Ellie Schoenfeld, Bart Sutter, Ryan Vine, and Connie Wanek. The reading is free and open to the public; refreshments will be served.

* HUNGRY FOR MORE? BE ON THE LOOK-OUT FOR “PASTA FOR POETS AT SEA” — coming Sunday, June 24, 5:30 to 8 pm on the Vista Fleet Harbor Cruises. Watch for more info!

LSW KUDOS News about LSW Members back to top 

TIM J BRENNAN’S poem "Wild Raspberries" will be included in the spring issue of Main Channel Voices (March 15). Also "Gong Fu" was accepted by River Walk Journal for a forthcoming issue.

SARAH CHAPMAN has published a memoir in Reflections Vol. VI. To view online go to www.reflectionsreflections.com

SHARON CHMIELARZ recently had a poem published in “American Life in Poetry.”

LINDA GLASER’S historical novel “Bridge to America” has been selected by the MN Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma to honor at their 2007 convention. Delta Kappa Gamma is an international honor society for women educators, and every other year they select a children’s book to honor.

BRUCE HENRICKSEN'S newest short story, "3:41 p.m.," has been published in Louisiana in Words (Pelican), an anthology devoted to life in Louisiana. Bruce will participate in the book-launch in New Orleans on March 18 and will speak to creative writing students and faculty at Loyola University New Orleans on March 19.

VI LaBOUNTY has a pencil & charcoal sketch accepted for publication in Dust & Fire's Women's Anthology, '07 entitled "Granddaughter Teaching Self To Play Baritone Uke.”

LINDA LeGARDE GROVER received second prize in the National League of Pen Women’s 2006 Soul-Making Literary Competition for her nove excerpt from “The Power of Frybread.” She will read and present her work at the awards videotaping on March 25 in San Francisco.

A poem by MARK MAIRE will appear in the Spring 2007 issue of Blueline, a long-standing literary magazine published at the State University of New York in Potsdam.

MARY ELLEN RYALL’s articles “Life is a parade” and “Santa’s helpers” were published in January 2007. Washburn County Register published the inserts as part of the weekly column, Lakeland Manor by Janice Organ. Recently, Ryall published the “Colonization of maize: History, culture, biodiversity, and society,” on Happy Tonics, an educational Web site at http://www.happytonics.org. The research paper is being referenced as a sample paper for sociology classes, at Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College. Happy Tonics promotes sanctuary for the monarch butterfly. Ryall writes about food safety issues.

FRANCINE STERLE will read from her collection of ekphrastic poems, “Nude in Winter,” and conduct at workshop at Olean Public Library, Olean, NY on March 8.

AREA LITERARY EVENTS back to top

March 5, 12, 19, 26 (Mondays) Open Mics Mondays at Amazing Grace Bakery & Cafe, 9-11 pm, Dewitt-Seitz Bldg. Wednesdays at Beaner's Central, 7-10 pm, Info: 624-5957.

March 6, Tue 6:30 pm - Francine Sterle reads from “Nude in Winter,” a collection of ekphrastic poems. First Stage Lyric Center for the Arts 514 Chestnut Street, Virginia.

March 6, Tue 7 pm — Northern Lights Books & Gifts In-Store Book Group discusses “Snow” by Orhan Pamuk. 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth. 218-722-5267; www.norlights.com

March 7, 5 p.m., Fiction writer Dianna Hunter and improvisational cellist Kathy McTavish collaborate in a performance/reading fusion event. Sunhillow Books, 510 E. 4th St., Duluth.

March 8, Thurs 11:30-12:30 pm - "Who Put the 'L' in LGBT: Lesbian Content and Characters in Young Adult Literature." Light refreshments and talk by Christine Jenkins. UW-Superior Multicultural Center, 232 Old Main. March 8, Thurs 1 pm — New Fiction/Non-fiction Group — “Love Walked In” by Marisa de Los Santos. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

March 8, Thurs 7-9 pm - Fourth Annual LGBTQ Campus and Community Honoring Reception Keynote by Christine Jenkins, "Finding the LGBT Community on the Page: Seeking People Like Me." At UW-Superior Multicultural Center, 232 Old Main. Twelve campus and community members will be honored for their work on behalf of LGBTQ people. The Jim Dan Hill Library will provide a display of recommended books. Dr. Jenkins is the UW-Superior's keynote speaker for Women's History Month. She teaches in the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she specializes in school and public youth librarianship, children's and young adult literature, and literacy studies. Her perspectives are also informed by ten years of experience in K-6 and 7-9 public schools in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and by her past work as the Intellectual Freedom Information Coordinator for the Children's Cooperative Book Center at UW-Madison. Free and open to the public. For more info contact Dianna Hunter, UW-Superior Coordinator of Women and Gender Issues at 394-8405.

March 10, Sat 1 pm - "From Queer to Gay and Back Again: Books for Teens with Gay/Lesbian/Queer Content, 1969-2006." Talk by Christine Jenkins on the history of LGBTQ young adult literature, its growth and development, and what is still needed. Northern Lights Bookstore will provide a display of recommended books with an opportunity to order books still in print. Duluth Public Library Green Room.

March 10, Sat 2:30 pm — Book release event for Sam Cook’s new collection of essays and photos “Moving Waters: Adventures on Northern Rivers.” Refreshments and solo guitar music by Brian Dack at 2:30 pm; presentation by Sam Cook followed by a book signing at 3 pm. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

March 11, Sun 6:30 pm - Sam Cook will speak and show slides to promote his new book from Stone Ridge Press, "Moving Waters: Adventures on Northern Rivers" at Marshall School Auditorium, Duluth. Sam Cook is outdoor writer for the Duluth News-Tribune. Moving Waters is a collection of Sam's previously unpublished essays with 32 pages of color photos from his many canoeing adventures in the wilds of Northern Canada and Alaska. Northern Lights Books and Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth. 218-722-5267, http://www.norlights.com

March 13, Tue 7 pm — Notable Books Book Group — “The Joy Luck Club” by Amy Tan, the selection of the 2007 One Book One Community. The discussion will be facilitated by Jan Culliton. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

March 14, Wed 6:30 pm — Classics Book Group = “Pamela” by Samuel Richardson, explores the theme of power and abuse. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

March 17, Sat 1 pm — Booksigning — Wendy Potratz will be on hand to sign her new children’s book, “Agnes Plays Soccer.” Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

March 18, Sun 5:30 pm — Mystery Book Group — “Vacation Can Be Murder” by Connie Shelton. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

March 19, Mon 7:30 pm — Science Fiction Book Group — “In Old Twentieth” by Joe Haldeman. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

March 23, Fri 9 am — J.W. BEECROFT book store begins their 10-day tenth anniversary celebration with the unveiling of their top-ten authors and books of the last ten years, plus special Beecroft anniversary merchandise and discounts throughout the ten days. Visit www.jwbeecroft.com for more info. 3631 Tower Ave., Superior, WI. 715-394-2665.

March 24, Sat 7:30 pm - SPIRIT LAKE POETRY SERIES — Featuring 11 readers from the pages of the anthology "To Sing Along the Way: Minnesota Women Poets from Pre-Territorial Days to the Present," including Joyce Sutphen, Sharon Chmielarz, Ellie Schoenfeld, Jean Jacobson, Sheila Packa, Katrina Vandenberg, Joanne Hart, Jane Whitledge, Connie Wanek and Thom Tammaro.

March 24, Sat 2-4 pm - One Book One Community Kick-Off event at the Tweed Museum of Art. Book selection: “The Joy Luck Club” by Amy Tan. Join in the festivities! Dr. Shin-Ping Tucker, from UWS, will give her reflections on the Chinese-American experience. Enjoy a performance by the Asian Lion Dance Team. Try the "lucky" cheesecake, provided by the Barnes & Noble Cafe, and sign up for door prizes. Admission is free.

March 27, Tue 11 am — Arrowhead MS Book Group discusses “Traveling Light” by Max Lucado. New members welcome! Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

March 28, Wed 5 pm — Mah Jong! — Learn to play the ancient game of Mah Jong from area expert players. A One Book One Community event. RSVP at 218-786-0710. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

April 1, Sun 12 noon to 5 pm — J.W. Beecroft’s tenth anniversary party — visit J.W. Beecroft Books & Coffee to celebrate their anniversary, have a slice of birthday cake and other refreshments, and register for prizes. Meet authors William Kent Krueger, Mike Savage and Tony Bukoski. Visit www.jwbeecroft.com for more info. 3631 Tower Ave., Superior, WI. 715-394-2665.

April 12, 13 & 14 LISA McKHANN performs "Beep the Horn" a one-woman, mixed-media show, at The Play Ground. This is an up-close and personal Project Lulu event using text, images, soundscapes and movement. "Beep the Horn" is written & performed by Lisa, directed by Marilyn Mayry with assistance from Tom Isbell, with sound by Ryan Rapsys, & lighting by Crystal Pelkey. Look for posters around town and mark your calendar.

WRITING GROUPS, MENTORING, EDITING HELP back to top

See info about LSW Writing Groups

NEWS / CONFERENCES / SUBMISSIONS/ OPPORTUNITIES back to top

March 29, Thur 4-5 pm - Lake Superior College Writers' Series Presents “Writing for the News,” presented by Jim Heffernan, Journalist, Editor, and Columnist, Duluth News Tribune. Room E2154, Lake Superior College. A career journalist, editor, and columnist, learn from Jim how to decide what is news and to make events meaningful. To register, contact Steve Dalager, 218-733-5948 or s.dalager@lsc.edu. Reading and Discussion 7 pm, Minnesota Room, Lake Superior College. Open to the public. Reception following.

April 20-21 — FESTIVAL OF CHILDREN’S LITERATURE at The Loft Literary Center, Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis. To register, call 612-379-8999 or visit www.loft.org

DYLAN DAYS WRITING CONTEST for poetry and short fiction. Deadline April 9. Cash prizes, reading at the festival in Hibbing, and work will be printed in a literary journal. See http://www.dylandays.com/writers.htm

CALL FOR POEMS — visit www.mnartists.org for info about how you can submit your work for future online publication in Mnartists.org’s “What Light.”

POETIC MEDICINE: THE HEALING ART OF POEM-MAKING — March 31-April 1 — Macalester College, St. Paul, MN. Workshop presented by John Fox, a certified poetry therapist and associate professor at the California Institute for Integral Studies in San Francisco, CA. For more info, visit www.poeticmedicine.org

ARTS ADVOCACY DAY IS MARCH 8, 2007 — Minnesota Citizens for the Arts invites you to join your fellow arts advocates at the MN History Center and State Capitol to educate our legislators about the importance of the arts to Minnesota. To register or find out more visit www.mtn.org/mca

MINNESOTA LITERATURE deadline for information for the April issue is March 15. Send news of your upcoming April events for the Minnesota Literature calendar, opportunity column and wanted/contest column. Minnesota Literature’s loyal subscribers want to hear about your reading/workshop/publication party/call for manuscripts. This is a FREE listing. Include the date, time, location, contact phone # and cost (if any) of your event. For paid display ads, single-column ads are 3.5" wide; two-column ads are 7" wide. Maximum height is 10." All ads need to be camera ready, preferably submitted digitally. MN LIT offers a 5% discount to advertisers who commit to three ads in a year; %10 for six ads, and %15 for nine ads. Lucy Vilankulu, Editor, Minnesota Literature, 3723 Glendale Terrace, Minneapolis, MN 55410, http://www.minnesotaliterature.org, 612-827-0432.

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 Cheryl Reitan.