About

Lake Superior Writers was an outgrowth of the Depot Outreach Program of the mid-1990s. When Depot Outreach lost its funding, area writers worked together and filed to become Lake Superior Writers in 1998. We are a 501(c)3 organization.

Lake Superior Writers has nearly 200 members throughout northeastern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, the Twin Cities, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Members range from professional writers to individuals who are new to creative writing.

2021-22 Program Highlights:

  • We offered 4 classes in the craft of writing, including Working on your Novel, Flash Fiction, Mystery Writing, and Fantasy Writing and Worldbuilding.
  • Publicist Krista Soukup and author Frank Weber’s Getting Published workshop took us through the steps of the publishing process.
  • Attorney Mike Kroll covered the intricacies of Copyright Tips for Writers
  • Tex Thompson tutored writers in the art of Self-Promotion
  • Our annual writing contest welcomed submissions in four different categories
    related to the theme “Full Circle.”
  • Newly published author Carol Dunbar was the keynote speaker at our annual Membership Event, covering “Getting the Book Deal: What I know now that I wish I knew then.”
  • We assumed responsibility for the Northeastern Book Awards, allowing the 32-year-old program to continue into the future.

 Ongoing Activities:

  • Our monthly online newsletter NorthWords offers regional literary news, events, publication launches, readings, contests, and opportunities.
  • The LSW Blog welcomes your creative ideas!
  • Our virtual Book Club for Writers will continue to invite regional authors to tell us about their writing process and inspiration and host a Q&A about their books.
  • The Events page shares information about upcoming classes, workshops,
    and programs!
  • We sponsor and manage the annual Northeastern Minnesota Book Awards recognizing books that substantially represent northeastern Minnesota in the areas of history, culture, heritage, or lifestyle.

Membership Benefits

Benefits include free or reduced prices for our workshops, attendance at monthly open writing groups, subscription and free listings in our online newsletter, and an invitation to LSW’s annual meeting and contest reading.

Memberships start at $40 per year, $20 for students.