E-Calendar April 2009
LSW Activities and Events | LSW Kudos | Area Events | News/Contest/Submissions | Lake Superior Writers Information | About the LSW Calendar |
Compiled by LAKE SUPERIOR WRITERS

Out like a lamb? Right! Good riddance, El Marcho! Here’s your Breath-of-Spring April LSW E-Calendar. Hope to see you all at one or more of our LSW spring events, if not out in the garden!

LSW member Phil Fitzpatrick is the e-calendar editor. Send your info to him at calendar@lakesuperiorwriters.org.

LSW ACTIVITIES AND NEWS.

[Editor’s note: All submissions of upcoming
events—one-time events and regularly scheduled
events—must include in this order day, date, time, name of
event, specific location, name of organization or merchant,
contact person, and contact information if available. Events
are arranged by date rather than lumped together by store,
agency, or person. Normal Ariel 10-point is the font used in
the newsletter. No html formatting is used. Proofreading is
greatly appreciated. Remember that this is a calendar and
not a newsletter, so brevity is important. Thank you.]

** The Trail Guide to the Northland Experience has been
accepted as a finalist in the North Eastern Minnesota Book
Awards for 2009, in the category of Poetry. The NEMBA awards
celebration will be held on Sunday, May 17th beginning with
a book fair from 12:30 to 3:00 pm. The awards ceremony will
begin at 3:30 pm. It will be held in the Marshall Performing
Arts Center at UMD. In the past, it has been a beautiful
Sunday afternoon in May. Everyone is invited. Hope to see
you there!

** Saturday, April 25, 3-5 pm - Young Poets Reading from Duluth-area high schools, featuring poets from East, Central, Denfeld, Proctor, Marshall, Hermantown, and Harbor City. Mitchell Auditorium, CSS campus, 1200 Kenwood Avenue, Duluth, MN. Free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served. Advanced Notice: ** Saturday, May 2, 1-3 pm - "Preparing & Publishing Poetry Manuscripts," a workshop presented by Duluth poet laureate Jim Johnson and Scott King, publisher of Red Dragonfly Press. Learn about manuscript organization, publication process, and printing. Green Room, Duluth Public Library, 520 West Superior Street, Duluth, MN. $35 (LSW members), $40 (non-members). Registration by contacting Deborahdebcoop@aol.com, or 218-722-3094. Scholarships and same day registration available. ** Saturday, May 2, 3:30 pm - Publication reading for Driving Gravel Roads: 50 Prose Poems by Duluth poet laureate Jim Johnson, published by Red Dragonfly Press. Green Room, Duluth Public Library. Free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Lake Superior Writers is the sponsor of the Duluth Poet Laureate project. Co-sponsors include: the Alan H. Zeppa Family Foundation, the Duluth Public Arts Commission, UMD English Department, UMD College of Liberal Arts, the College of St. Scholastica English Department, Lake Superior College, Friends of the Duluth Public Library, Northern Lights Books & Gifts, Arrowhead Reading Council, and Barnes & Noble Booksellers.

** Saturday, May 16, 2 – 4 pm: Annette Atkins, the NEMBA keynote speaker will lead a workshop in the rotunda of the UMD, and the NEMBA presentations will take place the next day, Sunday, May 17 in the Marshal Performing Arts Auditorium.

LSW MONTHLY GROUPS

Editor’s Note: Since there are at least
two or three different sources for “monthly group”
information, all monthly groups must submit announcements
each month in order to be included in the LSW e-calendar. Thank you.

** Monday, Apr 13, 6:30 pm. The Childrens Writer's Group will meet at Sara's Table Chester Creek Cafe. The writing prompt for this month is SPRING! ** Wednesday, Apr 15 at 6 - 8 pm, Fiction/Poetry Writing Group, at Chester Creek Cafe, 1902 E. 8th Street. Contact Jill Hinners (349-6431) or Cheryl Reitan (creitan@d.umn.edu), 218-728-3154. ** Thursday, Apr 16 at 11:30 am, Writers' Square Table at Chester Creek Café, 1902 E. 8th Street. ** Sunday, Apr 19 at 1:30 pm, Memoir Writing at Chester Creek Café, 1902 E. 8th Street. ** Thursday, Apr 23 at 5:00 pm, Play Reading Group at Chester Creek Café, 1902 E. 8th Street.

Other Monthly Groups

** Thursday, Apr 2, 1:00 pm New Fiction/Non Fiction Book Group. Please join us as we discuss Population: 485 by Michael Perry. This is the “2009 Community Read” selection. Light refreshments. RSVP 218-786-0710. Barnes & Noble, Miller Hill Mall, Duluth, 218-786-0710. Join us! Free.

** Sunday, Apr 5, 5:30 pm - Mystery Book Group. We will discuss A Thousand Bones by P. J. Parrish. Joe Frye, Miami’s only female homicide detective, becomes the target of the killer whom she is investigating. Barnes & Noble, Miller Hill Mall, Duluth, 218-786-0710. Join us! Free.

** Tuesday, Apr 7, 7 pm - In-Store Book group The Romanov Bride. Robert Alexander Author Robert Alexander (The Kitchen Boy and Rasputin’s Daughter) will join us at the store for the discussion. Discussion is led by Anita Zager. Group is free and open to the public. Northern Lights Books and Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth, MN 55802, 722-5267, 800-868-8904, www.norlights.com.

** Wednesday, Apr 8, 6:30 pm Classics Book Group. If you are interested in learning more about Mark Twain you will enjoy reading Life on the Mississippi. Samuel Clemens wrote about his time spent on the riverboats during the 1800’s. Barnes & Noble, Miller Hill Mall, Duluth, 218-786-0710. Join us! Free.

** Tuesday, Apr 21, 7:00 pm - Young Reader’s Book Group - Children ages 8-12 are invited to join us as we discuss Flush by Carl Hiaasen. Please RSVP Barnes & Noble, Miller Hill Mall, Duluth, 218-786-0710. Join us! Free.

** Tuesday, Apr 21, 7:00 pm - Notable Books Book Group. We will be discussing Population: 485 by Michael Perry. Anyone who has read our Community Read is invited. Barnes & Noble, Miller Hill Mall, Duluth, 218-786-0710. Join us! Free.

** Friday, Apr 24, 6:30 pm Freshwater Screenwriting - we meet at Barnes & Noble for coffee & encouragement at Barnes & Noble, Miller Hill Mall, Duluth, 218-786-0710. Join us!

** Monday, Apr 27, 7:30 pm - Science Fiction Book Group - State of the Art by Iain M. Banks is a collection of unsettling short stories that view the human species and our culture through the lens of an outsider looking in. Barnes & Noble, Miller Hill Mall, Duluth, 218-786-0710. Join us! Free. Barnes
& Noble, Miller Hill Mall, Duluth, 218-786-0710. Join us!

LSW KUDOS News about LSW Members back to top 

** Eric Chandler had two stories published in the March 2009 issue of Silent Sports Magazine: "Bolder at Boulder Lake" about XC skiing north of Duluth and "Pulling the Pulk" about bringing children along on ski trips. His story "Why I Serve" was published in the March/April/May issue of Northern Wilds about why he flies in the Minnesota Air National Guard.

** For a review of Robin Reynolds self-help book, Life to the Max, please visit Patricia L. Brooks, author/publishing consultant info@brooksgoldmannpublishing.com (480-250-5556). The book is about Ms. Reynolds’ late dog, Max.

** James L. Freeman has published two new poems. The first --- "Lava Fields" appears in the winter issue of Avocet--A Journal of Nature Poems, of Southold, N.Y. The second--- "On The Trail Of The Lonesome Piano" appears in the winter issue of The Oak, of Rock Island, IL.

** Cary Griffith has a new book out: Opening Goliath: Danger and Discovery in Caving. It's available online via Amazon and the other usual online venues. More info about the book can be found at http://www.caryjgriffith.com.

AREA LITERARY EVENTS back to top

** Friday, Apr 3 "The Power of Poetry" is a four-week WITC CE class taught by Jan Chronister that begins at the Iron River Community Center. There is still time to register through www.witc..edu or WITC-Ashland.

** Saturday, Apr 4, 2-3pm Authors John & Jan Green will be in the store to share their expertise on Geology and Birding in Northern Minnesota. Northern Lights Books and Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth, MN 55802, 722-5267, 800-868-8904, www.norlights.com.

** Saturday, Apr 4 at 2:00 pm - Award-winning author Brian Freeman will be here to sign copies of In The Dark. This is Freeman’s fourth psychological suspense novel featuring Duluth detective Jonathan Stride. Barnes & Noble, Miller Hill Mall, Duluth, 218-786-0710. Join us! Free.

** Wednesdays, Apr 8 - May 27 (eight weeks), 5:30 - 7:30 pm. Wednesday Writing Workout at the old Carnegie Library building, 101 W 2nd St, #301, Duluth. Facilitator: Jessica Roeder mnartists.org/jessica_roeder; call 218-727-8286 or email jaroeder2003@yahoo.com for registration or more information. Tuition: $210, ($190 if paid in full at first class). The class will feature process-oriented, generative writing exercises and some time to read and talk about the results. All who want to write are welcome.

** An ARAC Workshop introducing artists and writers to arts organizations will be held on Saturday, April 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Lake Superior College, 2101 Trinity Road in Duluth. Parking is free and there will be directional signs to the rooms posted at the main entrance of the college. The tentative schedule for the day is: 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Check-in 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Welcome, introductions 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Workshop with Springboard for the Arts 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Lunch - networking, check marketing samples 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Workshop with mnartists.org 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wrap-up and evaluation

** Saturday, Apr 11, 1-2 pm Book signing – Phil Fitzpatrick will sign copies of his book A Beautiful Friendship: The Joy of Chasing Bogey Golf at Northern Lights Books and Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth, MN 55802, 722-5267, 800-868-8904, www.norlights.com.

** Saturday, Apr 11, 2-3 pm - Author Sam Cook will be in the store to discuss his experiences and expertise trekking across the North Woods. Northern Lights Books and Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth, MN 55802, 722-5267, 800-868-8904, www.norlights.com.

** Saturday, Apr 11, 11:00 am Story time: Population 100,000 Celebrate our community with costume character Maisy the Mouse. We will read stories about people who are important to the success of any town. This is a way for children in our area to participate in our Community Read: Population 485 by Michael Perry. Children’s Event. Free. RSVP Barnes & Noble, Miller Hill Mall, Duluth, 218-786-0710. Join us! Free.

** Tuesday, Apr 14, noon - 2 pm, at UMD in Kirby 333, Writer-in-Residence Joyce Zonana, author of "Dream Homes: From Cairo to Katrina, An Exile?s Journey," will offer a free writing workshop. Limited to 20 people. To register, call 218-726-7953 or email ws@d.umn.edu. Zonana, English professor at the Borough of Manhattan Community College and an Egyptian Jew by birth, will explore issues of gender, cultural, and racial identity in the context of a multicultural, international, and ever-changing world.

** Wednesday, Apr 15, 6:30 pm, at UMD in the Weber Music Hall, Joyce Zonana, author of "Dream Homes: From Cairo to Katrina, An Exile's Journey," will present a public reading and discussion. Temple Israel Rabbi Amy Bernstein will give the introduction for Zonana, whose presentation explores issues of gender, cultural, and racial identity in the context of a multicultural, international, and ever-changing world. ** Tuesdays, Apr 14 to May 5 from 2-4 pm Ojibewegan, a community writing group, will meet on at the Bad River Elderly Nutrition site. The group is free and refreshments will be served. The group, led by Jan Chronister, will study modern Anishinaabe poets and participate in writing activities. The Woodrow Hall Award from poetryjumpsofftheshelf.com is making this project possible.

** Thursday, Apr 16, 7-8 pm - Poet and Professor of English at the College of St. Scholastica will be joining us in a discussion of contemporary poets and poetry. All are invited to bring in a poem by a favorite poet to share during a reading providing that the poet is alive, non-local, and non-famous! Come share and discover great poets writing today!

** Friday, Apr 17, 7:00 pm Judge Mark Munger will be here to sign his new book Mr. Environment: The Willard Munger Story. State Representative Willard Munger fought tirelessly to pass laws that promoted conservation and protected our environment. The story of his fascinating life and his passions has been lovingly told by his nephew Mark. Barnes & Noble, Miller Hill Mall, Duluth, 218-786-0710. Join us! Free.

** Friday, Apr 17, 2-5 pm - The Vaughn Public Library in Ashland is hosting a Poetry Month open reading. Everyone is welcome to come and read from their own or a favorite poet. The event takes place in the main floor library and refreshments will be served. Jan Chronister is facilitating the reading.

** Saturday, Apr 18-Sunday Apr 26 - Spring Educator Appreciation Week! Barnes & Noble honors our area PreK-12 grade educators by offering special discounts on most items for one full week. Our staff truly appreciates the dedicated teachers who work with our children in Duluth and the surrounding area. Thank you! Barnes & Noble, Miller Hill Mall, Duluth, 218-786-0710.

** Saturday, Apr 18, 1-2 pm Book signing Patrick Dorin will sign copies of his book American Passenger Trains: WWII to Amtrak at Northern Lights Books and Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth, MN 55802, 722-5267, 800-868-8904, www.norlights.com.

** Saturday, Apr 18, 2-3 pm - Author Dale Mulfinger will be in the store to share his expertise on Cabin Design and History. Northern Lights Books and Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth, MN 55802, 722-5267, 800-868-8904, www.norlights.com.

** Saturday, Apr 18, 7:30 pm – Duluth’s Poet Laureate Jim Johnson will be reading from his new book of poetry, Driving Gravel Roads: 50 Prose Poems at the Quaker Meeting House, 1802 E. 1st St in Duluth. Reading will be free and open to the public.

** Saturday, Apr 18, 11:00 am Storytime. Volunteers from the Grant School Reading Partners will be on hand to read some of their favorite stories. Find out how you can become a reading partner. You’ll make a new friend while promoting literacy in our community. Barnes & Noble, Miller Hill Mall, Duluth, 218-786-0710. Free.

** Thursday, Apr 23, 7:00 pm - Mark Munger will read from his biography of Willard Munger, Mr. Environment: The Willard Munger Story in the Wellstone Hall at the Duluth Labor Temple, 2002 London Road. Sara Thomsen will be the special guest musician. Books, CDs and light refreshments will be available. The event is free and open to the public.

** Thursday, Apr 23 at 7 pm - David McGlynn, assistant English professor at Lawrence University, Appleton, Wisconsin, will read from "The End of the Straight and Narrow." in the Rothwell Student Center, Room 217, University of Wisconsin-Superior. Publishers Weekly calls the book a "superbly crafted, deeply sympathetic debut story collection."

** Friday-Saturday, Apr 24-25 - The Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets will hold their Spring Conference on at the Olympia Resort in Oconomowoc. For more information, please go to www.wfop.org

** Saturday, Apr 25, 2-3 pm - A representative from W-Trek Outfitters will be in the store to share their local business’s expertise on Climbing and Backpacking. Northern Lights Books and Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive, Duluth, MN 55802, 722-5267, 800-868-8904, www.norlights.com.

** Saturday, Apr 25, 7:30 pm - Al Hunter will be reading his poetry, including poems from his books Spirit Horses and The Recklessness of Love in Somers Lounge at CSS

** Saturday, Apr 25, 11:00 am and 1:00 pm - Storytime for Children. Theme: Turn Off the Electronics & Read! Volunteers from the United Way’s Imagination Library will read stories today related to the popular Llama Llama books written by Anna Dewdney. A Llama costume character will visit. Barnes & Noble, Miller Hill Mall, Duluth, 218-786-0710. Free.

** Saturday, Apr 25 9:30-10:30 am - Special Event: Breakfast & Book Reviews. Area PreK-12 grade librarians and media specialists are invited to attend a light breakfast and review new books and educational materials. Door prizes. Please RSVP by 4/20/09. Barnes & Noble, Miller Hill Mall, Duluth, 218-786-0710. Free.

Workshops/Submissions/Conferences/Opportunities/Deadlines back to top 

** Friday, May 1 is the deadline for applications for a student board membership. The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council (ARAC) is accepting applications to fill a student board member’s position. Contact bonnie@aracouncil.org or obtain an application form at Application_Form_for_Board_Membership_5-12-08.doc

** CALL FOR MN POETS AND FICTION WRITERS: mnartists.org is taking submissions for the What Light Poetry Project and the miniStories flash fiction competition. Poetry submissions to the What Light competition will be considered by a panel of poets including Dobby Gibson, Leslie Adrienne Miller, Connie Wanek, Joyce Sidman, and Deborah Keenan. Flash fiction submissions to miniStories will be read and selected by a panel of authors including Leif Enger, Jon Fasman, Diana Joseph, Barth Anderson, and Lise Erdrich. The submission deadline for both is April 30. Click here for the mnLIT call for writers: http://www.mnartists.org/article.do?rid=225909

** For a copy of the spring newsletter from the Once in a Blue Moon Studio, contact Diana Randolph, 47790 Blue Moon Road, Drummond, WI 54832 USA 715-798-3600 oiabms@cheqnet.net

** Advance Notice! Saturday, May 16, 2-4 p.m. LAKE SUPERIOR WRITERS AND NEMBA--WRITING WORKSHOP WITH ANNETTE ATKINS Annette Atkins, who wrote "Creating Minnesota: A History from the Inside Out"(Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2007), will be offering a writing workshop as part of the 21st annual celebration of the Northeastern Minnesota Book Awards. Atkins employs a fresh approach to history, focusing on the achievements and disappointments of our ancestors, both of which led to the circumstances of our present world. Writers will learn how to incorporate authentic elements of time and place in their compositions. The workshop will be held in the fourth floor rotunda reading room of the UMD Library. Cost is $35 for LSW members; $40 for nonmembers. On Sunday afternoon, May 17, Atkins will give the keynote address for the NEMBA awards ceremony. For further information, visit the NEMBA web site at http://www.d.umn.edu/lib/nemba. To register for the writing workshop, email: deborahdebcoop@aol.com.

** The Artist Relief Fund and the Lake Superior Community Health Center are thrilled to announce their new program, Artists' Access to Healthcare - North. This partnership between the two community based nonprofits will help provide free or low-cost healthcare to individual artists in the Arrowhead Region of Minnesota and Douglas and Bayfield Counties of Wisconsin. Beginning March 25, 2009, individual artists may apply to the Artist Relief Fund for a voucher to be used at the Lake Superior Community Health Clinics located at 4325 Grand Avenue in Duluth or 3600 Tower Avenue in Superior.

Access/Blogs/Websites back to top

** Patricia Brooks’s article “The Author's Platform” from her notes at the AZ Book Publishers conference is now on her blog - see below – comments welcome. Also - Facebook below - shows the book launch of our last book, Gratitude a Verb. patricialbrooks@cox.net FACEBOOK http://profile.to/patricialbrooks NEW BLOG http://blog.brooksgoldmannpublishing.com TWITTER - PatriciaBrooks speaker, author, publishing consultant, faculty http://www.plbrooks.com

** Once in a Blue Moon Studio, Drummond, WI oiabms@cheqnet.net

** Arrowhead Regional Arts Council – bonnie@aracouncil.org

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. Thank you for contributing and for reading. Address all calendar events to calendar@lakesuperiorwriters.org. Address all concerns or questions about the calendar to Phil Fitzpatrick c/o pfitzpa@charter.net.