The June NorthWords includes:
Notes from the Board Room
May seems an odd time to look back at the previous year’s work, but that is what we do each late spring for Lake Superior Writers. The nearly mid-year check makes sense since we currently have an annual budget that spans July-June and we try to rotate the new board members on in May or June.
For the LSW Annual Meeting that just took place on May 30, I got the delightful task of summarizing what had gone on throughout 2025 and into the first months of 2026. Whew, there was a lot … including multiple Book Club for Writers talks by local authors, a Meet the Publisher virtual/in-person event with a Minnesota hybrid publisher, several writing courses – from general writing to humor and beyond – creation of monthly Writing Circles in various genres plus our first-ever Authors Fair (we’re hoping to plan another in July!) and our on-going monthly Virtual Writers Café.
At the annual meeting, we also go to announce the winners and runners-up for the LSW Annual Writing Contest. The theme this year, “North of Normal,” inspired many members (you must be a member to enter). We received entries from 23 writers in the Creative Nonfiction category, from 13 in Flash Fiction, 42 in Poetry and 28 in Short Fiction.
In the category of Poetry, the winner is “Autumn Song” by Gary Boelhower and the runner-up is “Measuring Up” by Stanley Kusunoki. For Short Fiction, the winner is “Edge of the Ice” by Tim Strom and runner-up is is “The Whip Hill Monster” by Joseph Domitrovich. The Flash Fiction winner is “Harmless” by Jenna Kowaleski and runner-up is “Man in the Moon Goes to Work” by Steve Engel. In Creative Nonfiction, the winner is “Dirty Pete – The Unofficial Mayor of Craigville, Minnesota” by Chris Marcotte and the runner-up is “Silence At The Edge of Understanding” by Crystal Gail Welcome. You can read all of them on our website along with the judges’ comments about them.
Even though summer is a time of relaxation – unless you are a gardener or a writer on deadline – I have a task, actually a favor, to ask of you. During the coming months of June and July, the LSW Board will be locking in our programming for the coming year. We hope to have more Book Club for Writers talks, both virtual and in-person, as well as another couple of Meet the Publisher events to discuss traditional publishing houses and self-publishing. But what I’d like to hear is from you what kinds of workshops and presentations you most want and need. And what other kinds of events might inspire you to finish your book, poem or journaling – to get your creative written self onto a page (or a computer screen).
Please send any and all ideas to writers@lakesuperiorwriters.org in the coming weeks. Think if it as a little seed, planted in season, that might become a blossoming perennial enjoyed by all.
Enjoy the season and grow those projects.
– Konnie LeMay, chair on the Lake Superior Writers Board
Lake Superior Writers News & Events
North of Normal 2026 Writing Contest Winners
Winners of the 2026 Annual Writing Contest were announced at the Annual Meeting on May 30.
NEMBA Now Accepting Nominations
Deadline: June 30, 2026
Nomination submissions for the Northeastern Minnesota Book Awards (NEMBA) has officially opened and will continue through June 30.
NEMBA covers four book categories for entry – Nonfiction/Memoir; Fiction; Poetry; Children’s Literature/Middle Grade. Eligibility has been expanded this year from only books with substantial content centered in Northeastern Minnesota to include authors based in Northeastern Minnesota and the closely tied neighboring regions.
The awards were established in 1988 and administered by the library staff of the Kathryn A. Martin Library at the University of Minnesota Duluth until 2021, when Lake Superior Writers took it over after the library had to refocus away from the awards because of staffing changes and COVID. A NEMBA Committee, under the LSW Board of Directors, oversees the acceptance of nominations and organization of the Reading Teams that judge them.
Announcement of the First and Second Place Winners will be at a public celebration ceremony November 21 in the Great Hall of The St. Louis County Depot.
Authors, publishers and others can nominate eligible books for NEMBA. The fees and details can be found at LakeSuperiorWriters.org.
Virtual Writers’ Cafe
Saturday, June 13 at 9:30 a.m. on Zoom
Join a group of local writers to connect about current writing projects, upcoming events, and general discussion.
Writing Circles
Writing Circles are where writers of a particular genre like general fiction, memoir, fantasy, mystery and more can gather together to talk about writing and get feedback on their works-in-progress! We will be announcing new Writing Circles as volunteer leaders organize their groups. If you are interested in starting a Writing Circle — either online or in person in the region — please email writers@lakesuperiorwriters.org.
Coming Soon!
LSW member Stanley Kusunoki has been working with Foxes and Fireflies Bookseller in Superior to have a Lake Superior Writers Read session there every other month, starting in August on a Saturday afternoon, for LSW members to read their work. Watch our LSW Facebook page and NorthWords for details!
Literary Events
Kickoff for Grizzy Narrows at the Totally Criminal Cocktail Hour
June 3, 2026 from 5pm-6pm at Lowell Inn, 102 2nd St N, Stillwater, MN
Please join Cary J. Griffith for the kickoff of the sixth Sam Rivers Mystery, Grizzly Narrows.
$10
https://valleybookseller.com/event/2026-06-03/totally-criminal-cocktail-hour-featuring-cary-griffith
Stephanie Hansen and Kurt Johnson: The Moon Tavern
June 5, 2026 at 7pm at Zenith Bookstore, 318 N. Central Ave., Duluth, MN
You are invited to a special night with Emmy Award-winning cookbook author, Stephanie Hansen and her writing partner, husband, and Minnesota Book award winner, Kurt Johnson. Zenith will host them on Friday, June 5th at 7 pm. They will share their new book, The Moon Tavern: A Culinary Love Story (With Recipes). There will be tasty treats along with wonderful conversation! Bring a friend for a perfect evening out! This event is free and open to the public.
https://www.facebook.com/share/195QpaHZw7
Book Trivia at Wild State Cider
June 8, 2026 from 7pm-9pm at Wild State Cider, 2515 W Superior St., Duluth, MN
How well do you think you know your book trivia? Join Zenith staff on Monday, June 8th 7-9 pm at Wild State Cider for Book Trivia! We’ll have great hosts, questions, and prizes. Wild State will have the food, pizza, and craft cider. And we’ll all have a blast coming up with the answers to the carefully curated trivia questions! Don’t miss this! Everyone will be talking about it on Tuesday morning!
https://zenithbookstore.com/events/5478620260608
Stacy Carlson Author Reading at Milkweed Books, in conversation with Peter Geye
June 11, 2026 at 6pm at Milkweed Books, 1011 S Washington Avenue Suite 107 Minneapolis, MN
Please join Stacy Carlson to celebrate the release of her literary/historical novel, The Gyre. Stacy will read from the novel and join in conversation with Peter Geye. After the reading, there will be book sales and signing.
Link to RSVP: https://milkweed.org/event/reading-with-stacy-carlson-at-milkweed-books
Summer Reads for 2026 with MPR News’ Emily Bright
June 11, 2026 at 7pm at Teatro Theater and Zeitgeist, 222 E. Superior Street, Duluth, MN
Join MPR News host Emily Bright as she discusses the top 2026 Summer Reads with Regional Bookstores.
Celebrate the joy of summer reading with an engaging and community-focused event that brings together book club members, avid readers, and local independent bookstore owners. Attendees will discover top summer titles across genres, hear insider recommendations on what to read next, and connect with other book lovers.
Adventure Book Club: Tree Trek
June 12, 2026 from 10am-12pm at Fairmont Park, Grand Ave, Duluth MN
Join us for a special event with author Stephanie Mirocha as we explore her book Tree Trek: A Daughter’s Walk Through Grief. In Tree Trek, Mirocha weaves together accessible tree identification with her deeply personal journey through grief, revealing how the natural world can serve as both companion and guide toward healing.
The discussion will take place at Fairmont Park and will be followed by an optional one-hour hike led by Duluth Parks and Recreation. Register here: https://secure.rec1.com/MN/duluthparks/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTQxNjU3MTM=
3rd Annual Upper Peninsula Writers Symposium
June 13, 2026 from 9am-3pm at the Hessel School House 3206 W Cedar, Hessel, MI
The 3rd Annual Upper Peninsula Writer’s Symposium is an inspiring day of creativity, craft, and community. Keynote address by author Karen Dionne, along with your choice of three breakout sessions by Joseph D. Haske, Daniel Mendoza, Ellen Lord, Julie Covert, and Helen Raica-Klotz. Sessions are designed to help writers strengthen their voice, expand their storytelling skills, and gain practical tools for the writing life. Whether you write fiction, memoir, poetry, or nonfiction, this symposium offers a welcoming space to learn, connect, and leave with renewed creative energy.
TO REGISTER: Call 906-484-1333 or register online at https://www.eventeny.com/events/ticket/?id=30530
Book Signing at Lake Superior Trading Post in Grand Marais
June 20, 2026 from 12pm-2pm at Lake Superior Trading Post, 10 S 1st Ave W., Grand Marais, MN
Cary J. Griffith will be signing copies of Grizzly Narrows, the sixth Sam Rivers Mystery (and other titles)
Author Meet & Greet/Book Signing
June 20, 2026 from 1pm-3pm at The Island Bookstore, 7372 Main St., Mackinac Island, MI
Meet the author of the Mackinac Max children’s books! The series of five adventure books are available at The Island Bookstore.
Poetry Reading and Workshop
June 20, 2026 from 11am-1pm at Foxes & Fireflies bookstore/1401 Tower Avenue, Superior, WI
Come and hear two local poets read poems about their fathers and discuss ways to record memories/family stories in poetry. Peggy Trojan (Brule) and Jan Chronister (Maple) will share their work as well as upcoming opportunities for poets to get published. There will be cookies.
A Book Discussion at Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center
June 21, 2026 from 2pm-3pm at Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center, 28 Moose Pond Dr, Grand Marais, MN
Please join Cary J. Griffith for a discussion of their latest mystery, Grizzly Narrows, and his upcoming non-fiction book, The Wolf Divide.
Mark Langenfeld: Wisdom of the Woods
June 21, 2026 from 11am-2pm at Zenith Bookstore, 318 N. Central Ave., Duluth, MN
Join us for a very special Father’s Day Meet & Greet! Mark Langenfeld will share one-on-one with readers about his book, Wisdom from the Woods: A Year of Gentle Guidance from Mother Nature. Plus, he will personally autograph it for you. This book is your perfect companion for the summer months.
In Wisdom from the Woods: A Year of Gentle Guidance from Mother Nature, you will discover fifty-two inspiring personal stories, each embodying one of Mother Nature’s practical lessons that you can implement weekly for greater wellness and joy. Told in Mark Langenfeld’s kind, humorous voice, these stories are designed to cultivate the motivation and encouragement needed to unearth buried treasures within yourself.
Writers on Writing: An evening with Anthony Bukoski, Thomas Johnson, & Victoria Lynn Smith
June 23, 2026 at 6pm at Superior Public Library, 1530 Tower Avenue, Superior, WI
On Tuesday, June 23 at 6 p.m., Superior Public Library will host Superior authors Thomas Johnson, Anthony Bukoski, and Victoria Lynn Smith. They will read briefly from their work, then discuss how and why they write and the process by which they have sold book-length manuscripts to publishers. A question-and-answer period will follow.
Publishers Weekly called Johnson’s book Rescuing Claire “an immensely appealing first novel,” Kirkus Reviews describing his prose as “muscular.” Booklist called the lengthy first piece in Bukoski’s The Thief of Words “striking,” going on to say, “Bukoski’s stories finely capture the unobserved weight of identity and things left behind.” Smith’s rich and wise debut story collection, Silent Negotiations, will be published in February 2027 by Cornerstone Press.
This program is co-sponsored by Foxes & Fireflies Books.
Stacy Carlson in conversation with Emily August: The Gyre
June 23, 2026 at 7pm at Zenith Bookstore, 318 N. Central Ave., Duluth, MN
Join Zenith Bookstore as we welcome award-winning novelist Stacy Carlson on Tuesday, June 23rd at 7 pm. She will be in conversation with poet and educator, Emily August for Stacy’s new book, The Gyre. This will be a very interesting evening as they discuss the book and its fascinating background deep in the Arctic. Stacy will also have a Q&A period and will personally sign her book afterwards. Invite a friend!
An atmospheric journey into the far northern wilds, The Gyre spins one man’s search for meaning into an astonishing saga where adventure, folklore, and the Arctic converge.
Julie Schumacher: Patient Female: Stories
June 26, 2026 at 7pm Zenith Bookstore, 318 N. Central Ave., Duluth, MN
Join us as we welcome Award-winning author, Julie Schumacher as she shares her new book, Patient Female: Stories. In this irreverent collection, Julie balances sorrow against laughter. Here, we experience story not only as narrative, but as syllabus and as board game. Each protagonist—ranging from girlhood to senescence—receives her own indelible voice as she navigates social blunders, generational misunderstandings, and the absurdity of the human experience. Exquisitely honest and expertly crafted, Patient, Female renders—with dark humor and wit—the foibles of human behavior and our endearing imperfections.
Downtown Duluth Days and Two Harbors Heritage Days
July 8-9 at Downtown Duluth Days
July 10-12 at Two Harbors Heritage Days
Erika Lynn Adams will be selling signed copies of her books, New Moon’s Family and Allie’s Adventure on the Wonder, at two summer festivals:
Downtown Duluth Days (Wednesday July 8th – Thursday 9th)
https://members.downtownduluth.com/community-calendar/Details/downtown-duluth-days-2026-1624353?sourceTypeId=EmailInvitation
Two Harbors Heritage Days (Friday July 10th – Sunday July 12th)
https://www.twoharborsmn.gov/community/heritage_days/index.php
Writer’s Workshop Series
July 10, 2026 between 9am-5pm at Hessel School House
Session 1 – Creating Your Writing Mini-Trail Guide. Would you start a journey without a map? Give your booth the plan it deserves.
Session 2 – Q& A with a Book Coach Stuck on your book, unsure where to begin. Join an interactive Q&A with book coach Julie Cover of H J Words.
Session 3 – Paths To Publishing You’ve finished your manuscript – now what? Explore traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing in this practical workshop.
$50 each or register for all 3 for $110.
TO REGISTER: Call 906-484-1333 or register online at https://www.eventeny.com/events/july2026-30160/
Northwoods Art and Book Festival
August 8, 2026 from 9am-3pm in Hackensack Minnesota
Over 65 artists showcasing their work in a variety of media and 35 authors, writing in a variety of genre make this the longest running art and literature festival in the state of Minnesota. The outdoor event is free and handicap accessible. Music and food available for your enjoyment. Wonder Trek Children’s Outdoor Museum provides hands on activities for children.
Opportunities
Lakeside Concert Series and Northwoods Art & Book Festival
Concert Series: Fridays 5pm-7pm by Birch Lake in Hackensack, MN
Northwoods Art & Book Festival: Saturday, August 8 from 9am-3pm in Hackensack, MN
It’s never too early to plan your summer activities. Northwoods Arts Council has three planned venues for your enjoyment. A concert series with different bands each week is held every Friday evening, 5-7, through the summer in Hackensack at the park pavilion. The Northwoods Art and Book Festival is on August 8th, 9-3 with 65 artists and 35 authors showcasing their work.
Call for Submissions – Duluth Transit Zine
Deadline: July 19
We are looking for submissions related to bussing & beyond in the northland, due August 5th.
KUDOS – News about our members
Gary Boelhower‘s poem “Earth” was published in the latest edition of The Thunderbird Review, the annual journal of the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College.
Gary Boelhower’s poems “One Seed” and “One Sound” will be published in the summer issue of The Anglican Theological Review.
Gary Boelhower’s poem “Now” will be published on Racine buses in 2026 by The Poetry Movement in partnership with RYDE Racine Transit Services.
Shane Drift is very excited to share some exciting news – his first children’s book, Spirit Quest: Hummingbird and Sage’s Journey, has been published. This is heartwarming chapter book that blends adventure, culture abundance, and meaningful life lessons into a unique story that will resonate with young readers. It has been a dream of his to write a children’s book for years. Spirit Quest: Hummingbird and Sage’s Journey is the first book in a series of four. Shane can’t wait for the young readers to meet Hummingbird, Sage, Raimy, and Aki. Spirit Quest: Hummingbird and Sage’s Journey is available on Amazon in paperback and kindle. Thank you for supporting this new chapter in his writing journey.
Lake Superior Writers Blog
Lake Superior Writers invites members to submit guest posts for possible inclusion on our blog. Please visit our blog information page for more details.
Our blog currently features “Once grief surfaces consciously, it can be used as a tool” – An Interview with Shawna Weaver by Remi Foust
Lake Superior Writers 