The September NorthWords includes:
Notes from the Board Room
What do readers take away from our writing?
I ponder such things sometimes as I go through my day and occasionally bump into a concept or an insight I know came from a book.
Take this little nugget … every week as I fill the watering can, I listen to the pitch of the water rising in the container. As it reaches toward the top, the pitch grows higher and alerts me when I need to turn off the water without even watching it. How did I come to learn about listening to water filling a container? In a book about Annie Sullivan, the blind woman who taught the blind-and-deaf Helen Keller how to navigate her world. The sound of the water was how Annie could fill a container without spilling. I read it when I was a child and began then to listened to water.
Some of you may have read Travels with Charley by Nobel Prizing-winning author John Steinbeck. His cross-country road trip with his French poodle, Charley, is considered a classic and on the recommended reading lists for youths back when I was a youth. There’s a lot to unpack from that trip and John’s observations. I took away two memories of it – neither award-winning, I must admit. I had anticipated with much excitement the arrival of the writer and his dog in Minnesota, sure it would be a page-turner. John wanted to visit, I believe, Golden Valley. First, he couldn’t get off the busy interstate by the Twin Cities, frantically trying to keep up with the traffic (and that was back in late 1950s, early ‘60s. Today’s Twin Cities’ traffic would cause John a heart attack). He did make a stop and had a bad lunch; I don’t need to go into the details. Zut. That left me with only one good take-away from that book – the idea to put an egg white into the coffee grounds when you perk a pot to get a smoother taste. Does anyone remember perking coffee on the stove? The egg-white thingy does work, should you ever find a perk pot to try it. John tried in the book and liked it, too. I’m just like John Steinbeck, when it comes to coffee.
Points being … I find the weirdest, enduring tidbits to implant in my brain while I read … and I hope you do, too.
DON’T MISS THIS ONE!! This month Lake Superior Writers – in partnership with the Duluth Public Library – plans to celebrate the writers of our region with our first Local Authors Fair. This is a chance to meet authors whose work you might not otherwise find. We’ll have self-published, hybrid published and traditionally published works. Meet and greet the authors and find out more about how they got their works in print. It might be something you can use for your work future publications! The event is 1-3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27 in the Green Room.
DON’T MISS THIS ONE EITHER!!! On Oct. 11, internationally acclaimed and NY Times-best selling author Brian Freeman, whose main character, police Lt. Jonathan Stride, lives and works in Duluth, will join us for a conversation about his writing journey. It will be a fascinating ride from finding a U.K. publisher for his Duluth-centric mysteries to becoming the authorial heir to the Jason Bourne thriller series. How did he do that? Brian will tell us. Brian will join us by Zoom, but you can enjoy the local writerly camaraderie with others in-person in the Duluth Public Library … or you can Zoom in, too. Watch soon for an eblast with the pre-registration for this FREE event. We can present it to you free thanks to our grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, which has provided operating support made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota, thanks to legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage funds.
– Konnie LeMay, chair on the Lake Superior Writers Board
Lake Superior Writers News & Events
Local Authors Fair
September 27 from 1pm-3pm at Duluth Public Library, Main Branch, Green Room
Lake Superior Writers – in partnership with the Duluth Public Library – plans to celebrate the writers of our region with our first Local Authors Fair. This is a chance to meet authors whose work you might not otherwise find. We’ll have self-published, hybrid published and traditionally published works. Meet and greet the authors and find out more about how they got their works in print. It might be something you can use for your work future publications! The event is 1-3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27 in the Green Room.
If you are interested in tabling at the fair, we have a few spots open. Email writers@lakesuperiorwriters.org for more information.
How to Write & Sell an Article with Felicia Schneiderhan
Thursdays in October from 7pm-8:30pm over Zoom
Whether you want to start – or boost – a career in freelance writing or are researching a non-fiction book or memoir, the virtual workshop, “How to Write & Sell an Article” taught by Duluth author/writing coach Felicia Schneiderhan will give you all the right tools for getting your work done.
The five-week workshop will be Thursdays in October – the 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 – from 7pm-8:30pm and it’s based on a popular college course for non-fiction writers.
LSW Members pay $70 for the 5-week course; non-members pay $80.
Virtual Writers’ Cafe
September 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. Virtual Writers’ Café at 9:30 a.m. Don’t forget to use the new registration form on the Virtual Writers’ Cafe page that sets you up for the Cafe through May 2026! This monthly event is free and open to all.
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.
Type In at Studio Café
September 26 starting at 5pm at Studio Café, 102 W Superior St., Duluth, MN
Join Lake Superior Writers and Studio Café for a BYOT (bring your own manual typewriter) Type In on the last Friday of the month starting at 5pm! Don’t have a typewriter? Studio Café will have some available to try out. The monthly Type-In at Studio Café takes it up a notch this month with a flash fiction writing contest … the winner of which will go home with a vintage typewriter – thanks to café owner and typewriter- Pete Pascente.
Literary Events
Book release party
September 7, 2025 from 2pm-4pm at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth (social hall), 835 West College Street, Duluth, MN
First Thursday Poets will host a book release and reading for their new collection on Sunday, September 7 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. in the UUCD social hall. Refreshments will be served. The group has been meeting at UUCD for ten years. Books will available for purchase (cash only please) with profits donated to CHUM. All are invited to celebrate with us and help support CHUM. Group members are Billie Anderson, Cal Benson, Cathy A. Cato, Jan Chronister, L.G. Hendrickson, John Herold, Destri Irwin, Meridel Kahl, and Deborah Rasmussen.
Book discussion of Rattlesnake Bluff at Brainerd Public Library
September 8, 2025 from 12pm-2pm at Brainerd Public Library, 416 S 5th St, Brainerd, MN
Cary Griffith will be discussing (and reading from) his latest Sam Rivers Mystery: Rattlesnake Bluff
Steve Grove in conversation with Emily Larson: How I Found Myself in the Midwest
September 9, 2025 at 7pm at Ursa Minor Brewing, 2415 W Superior St Suite B, Duluth, MN
Zenith Bookstore is excited to welcome Minnesota Star Tribune CEO and publisher Steve Grove on Tuesday, September 9th at 7 PM at Ursa Minor Brewing. Steve will be discussing his new memoir How I Found Myself in the Midwest: A Memoir of Reinvention (Simon & Schuster, June 2025) and will be in conversation with former Duluth Mayor Emily Larson. Join us for thought-provoking conversation in the casual, fun atmosphere of Ursa Minor. Invite your friends, family, and book club to this special evening. This event is free and open to the public.
https://zenithbookstore.com/events/2979020250909
Creative Writing: Point of View with Brian Malloy
September 10, 2025 at 6pm at Grand Marais Public Library, 104 2nd Ave W, Grand Marais, MN
Point of view (POV) is often a question of camera angle (Wide shots or close-ups?) and access (How many characters’ thoughts can we and should we present to the reader?). You’ll also want to consider reliability, objectivity, distance, and audience. We’ll review the different types of POVs and their variations, and exercises will let you experiment with different forms to learn which one is the best POV for your novel or short story.
William Kent Krueger Presents: Apostle’s Cove
September 12, 2025 at 7pm at The Depot, 506 W Michigan St., Duluth, MN
Zenith Bookstore is delighted to welcome New York Times best-selling author William Kent Krueger to Duluth on Friday, September 12th at 7:00 PM at the Depot Theatre. He will discuss his latest novel Apostle’s Cove (Simon & Schuster). Apostle’s Cove is #21 in his Cork O’Connor mystery series. Kent is a wonderful and engaging storyteller, so this is sure to be a fantastic evening! Zenith Bookstore is proud to sponsor this event with the Duluth Public Library and the Duluth Library Foundation.
This author event at the Depot Theatre, 506 W Michigan St., Duluth, is free and open to the public. No tickets are required. Please invite your friends, family, and book club. Books are available for pre-order or purchase at the event.
https://zenithbookstore.com/events/3080320250912
Book Release Celebration with author David Hakensen Her Place in the Woods: The Life of Helen Hoover
September 18, 2025 at 7pm at the UMD Kathryn A. Martin Library, 416 Library Dr, Duluth, MN
Join us for an evening with author David Hakensen in celebration of the release of his new book from the University of Minnesota Press, Her Place in the Woods: The Life of Helen Hoover. The biography of one of Minnesota’s most beloved nature writers, from her career in the city to her rustic cabin on Gunflint Lake.
All are welcome to this free event!
David Hakensen is a public relations consultant and has served on several nonprofit boards over his career. He was president of the executive council of the Minnesota Historical Society from 2018-2023.
https://calendar.d.umn.edu/event/100109-her-place-in-the-woods-the-life-of-helen-hoover
Meet & Greet with Arnold R. Alanen: The Scenic Route: Building Minnesota’s North Shore
September 20, 2025 from 11am-12:45pm at Zenith Bookstore, 318 N Central Ave, Duluth, MN
Join us as we welcome historical author Arnold R. Alanen for a meet and greet for his book The Scenic Route: Building Minnesota’s North Shore (University of MN Press). Arnold will be with us on Saturday, September 20th 11-12:45 PM. He will be available to sign and talk about this intriguing book one-to-one with readers.
Journey along Minnesota’s North Shore, the spectacular Lake Superior coastline between Duluth and the Canadian border, and travel through natural and cultural splendor. The North Shore Scenic Drive, the stretch of Minnesota Highway 61 that leads through tunnels and remarkable vistas, crosses rivers and streams and rocky divides as it makes its way through fishing villages, logging sites, tourist enclaves, and numerous national forests and state parks that have made the North Shore a beloved destination for generations.
https://zenithbookstore.com/events/3276920250920
The Great North Star Read Together
September 20, 2025 from 11am-1pm at Duluth Public Library, Main Library Plaza, 520 W. Superior St., Duluth, MN
On Saturday, September 20, Minnesotans are invited to gather across the state in celebration of The Great North Star Read Together and show appreciation for the vital role libraries play in our communities. Community members are invited to gather on the Library Plaza to read and show their library love.
In case of bad weather, we will meet in the Green Room, located on the Michigan Street level of the Main Library.
Anne-Marie Erickson in conversation with Felicia Scheiderhan: In the Evening, We’ll Dance
September 25, 2025 at 7pm at Zenith Bookstore, 318 N Central Ave, Duluth, MN
Please join us on Thursday, September 25th at 7 PM as we have a heartfelt discussion with northern Minnesota author Anne-Marie Erickson. Anne-Marie will be in conversation with Duluth author Felicia Schneiderhan. They will talk about her new book, In the Evening, We’ll Dance: A Memoir in Essays on Love & Dementia (Holy Cow! Press) and how Anne-Marie’s loving and committed marriage survived the effects of dementia. Come with your honest questions as we talk about a topic that can happen to any of us. Anne-Marie will be signing her books at the event.
Book Release Party
September 27, 2025 from 2pm-4pm at the Quaker Meeting House, 1802 East First Street, Duluth, MN
Join us to celebrate the release of “Always Room for Interpretation,” a chapbook of poems by Deborah Rasmussen. We’ll gather on Saturday, September 27, from 2pm to 4pm in the upstairs Meeting Room of the Quaker Meeting House, 1802 East First Street, Duluth. Following a poetry reading, refreshments will be served and books will be available for purchase (cash or check only please). All are welcome!
Summer 2025 Library Book Tour
Multiple Events through September 2025
To promote her new middle-grade readers chapter book, Rescuing Crash the Good Dog, author Sue Harrison will be touring libraries in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Northern Lower Peninsula, June – September 2025. Her programs include workshops and informal talks and a craft/reading program for children. Link– https://sueharrison.com/appearances/
Opportunities
Finding Your Narrative
October 8, 15, and 22 from 5pm-7pm
This three-week course will explore the craft of expressing identities, navigating grief, and better understanding mental health through writing. Each week will have thematic reading excerpts. We will analyze and discuss these examples and thus identify how the narrative effectively relates to readers. After reading and analysis, you will be provided with prompts and free writing time. There will be group feedback and time for community building.
Oct. 8th, 15th, and 22nd from 5:00-7:00pm
Register at http://www.uwsuper.edu/academics/continuing-education/personal-enrichment-programs/
Writers’ Monthly Get Together
October 18, 2025, from 10am-11am at Foxes & Fireflies Booksellers, 1401 Tower Ave. Superior, WI
Looking for a place to talk about writing, share writerly advice, and hang out with other writers? Join fellow writers at Foxes & Fireflies Booksellers on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 10-11 a.m. in a spacious conference room, located at the back of the bookstore.
There will not be a meeting in September.
Refreshments aren’t available onsite, but feel free to bring in your own beverages and snacks if you wish. All writers are welcome. There is no fee or requirement to join anything, just a chance to be part of a writing community.
Exhibit at the North Shore Readers & Writers Festival
November 5-8, 2025 in Grand Marais
Invitation to exhibit at the North Shore Readers & Writers Festival hosted by the Grand Marais Art Colony
U.P. Reader Accepting Submissions
Deadline: November 10, 2025
Time is running out for writers to submit to the 10th anniversary edition of the U.P. Reader. Send us your original stories, poems, memoir, humor, and genre fiction up to 5,000 words. Our jury welcomes all themes and topics, although they prefer material related to life in the Northwoods. Each edition appears in paperback, hardcover, eBook, and audiobook simultaneously. Those selected receive a comp copy and ability to purchase additional copies at half retail price. Hurry, deadline to submit is November 10, 2025. Submission requirements available on UPReader.org site.
KUDOS – News about our members
Penguin Random House is releasing the board book edition of Aimee Bissonette‘s picture book When Fall Comes on September 2, 2025. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/712706/when-fall-comes-by-aimee-m-bissonette-illustrated-by-erin-hourigan/
Holy Cow! Press is pleased to announce the publication of Goat, Goddess, Moon, a collection of poems by Greek American poet Catherine Strisik. Strisik has published three previous poetry collection and is the former poet laureate of Taos, New Mexico. She divides her time between Taos, NM and Cape Ann, MA.
“Goat, Goddess, Moon lovingly traces a lineage through history, myth and new experience. ‘I speak broken Greek. We say fluent Greek,’ Strisik writes. ‘Say it. Say. While standing/ on your head: the Greek alphabet.’ These poems—part tender probe of heritage and part ancestral elegy—revel in sumptuous food, the body and the sea. With its nourishing glimpses of identity this collection will encourage any reader to more closely embrace their own cultural inheritance.”— Lauren Camp, New Mexico State Poet Laureate (2022-2025), author of In Old Sky
$18.00, paperback, 90 pages. Available through http://www.holycowpress.org, amazon com, and local indie bookstores.
Victoria Lynn Smith‘s essay “A Journry with Monarchs” was published in UMD’s anthology Tales of Migration (Duluth Publishing Project) in July 2025. The anthology is available on Amazon.
Naomi Yaeger‘s book, Blooming Hollyhocks: Tales of Joy During Hard Times, will be printed this September with Beavers Pond Press. It tells the true story of Naomi’s mother, Janette Minehart, who grew up in a small Minnesota prairie town during the Great Depression and WWII. Written as narrative nonfiction with the intimacy of memoir, it highlights farm life, community spirit, and her journey to become a nurse. Though nonfiction, it reads like a historical novel in the style of Laura Ingalls Wilder, offering readers a heartfelt glimpse of both hardship and hope in a story that celebrates faith, family, and resilience.
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 Minnesota Writers Spotlight on F. Scott Fitzgerald and Superior, WI author Deborah Schlacks
Lake Superior Writers 