The September NorthWords includes:
Notes from the Board Room
Interviewing – conversations with people I’ve never met about what they know and what they do – ranks tops for me as a reporter, certainly more fun than writing on deadline (though that has its AHHHHHHH-we’re-all-going-to-die! charms, too).
Over the course of a looooong career, the interviews I’ve done – sorry, here’s my name dropping – include Wes Studi, Robert Duvall and Jason Patric. These three actors were at a Hollywood premier of “Geronimo,” and this was a newshound pack conversation – kind of like journalistic speed dating with four reporters per table in a room and the actors circulating from table to table. All of the actors were cordial. Wes Studi was, no surprise, particularly witty, and that’s one reason he remains a favorite of mine. He was a hoot and a half, as we say in my house. (OK, maybe I’m the only one who says that.)
To prepare for the one question per actor we got, we needed to do a little background checking on each in the time before Google searches. As I recall – and this was back in 1993 – the interviews came after watching the movie, so that also generated question options. And that’s another part of reporting that I love – researching events, people and places, in the present and in the past.
Basically reporters, librarians and fiction or non-fiction writers, I believe, all share a love of finding out more and turning what they learn into stories to tell others.
For example, delving into the newspaper reports of the 1905 Mataafa Blow captivated me. The November mega-storm caused the loss of many lives and several ships on Lake Superior. The Ira H. Owen, sung off the Apostle Islands, has yet to be found. The storm was the catalyst for the creation of the Split Rock Lighthouse. Perhaps the most heart-wrenching was the report of a letter found in the pocket of a young sailor who perished. “There has been more stormy weather,” wrote the father, “but as it would take all the U.S. Navy to wreck the old Kensington, I have dared to presume that you are safe and sound.” A last minute change pull his son from the Kensington to the Mataafa, on which a dozen sailors either froze to death or were washed overboard within view of thousands on the shore in Duluth. (It’s a horrifying, riveting tale.)
Researching events and people can spark writers to fiction or non-fiction. Learning how to find what you want to know and how to discover what you don’t yet know is key. This month, we go beyond Google with a LSW Book Club for Writers: How to be a History Sleuth with the help of author/archivist Jeffrey M. Sauve. Jeff, author of Murder at Minnesota Point and his most recent release, Wheels of Murder: The 1896 Bank Robbery That Shocked a Small Prairie Town, will talk about his writing process and about how he does his research. This is a FREE presentation done in partnership with the Duluth Public Library and will be from 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, on the library’s second floor in the Local History Center, which is appropriate, indeed. (Next door in The Depot will be the Bienvenue Coffee Fest, so pop over before or after your visit there.)
Jeff is the former archivist for St. Olaf College in Northfield and knows his stuff. He even has a MNopedia page with history articles. Even if you don’t plan any research soon, you’ll enjoy Jeff’s talk. And there will be time for questions … something dear to an old reporter’s heart.
– Konnie LeMay, chair on the Lake Superior Writers Board
Lake Superior Writers News & Events
Virtual Writers’ Café
September 12, 2026 from 9:30am-11am over Zoom
Pour a cup of coffee or tea and join us at 9:30 am – 11:00 am for a meetup with fellow writers the second Saturday of each month. We’ll chat about our current writing projects, learn about upcoming events and opportunities for writers, and share the ups and downs of our writing lives. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or a newbie, we’d love to have you join us.
Book Club for Writers: How to be a History Sleuth with Jeffrey M. Sauve
September 26, 2026 from 1pm-2:30pm at the Duluth Public Library Main Branch
Join Lake Superior Writers and the Duluth Public Library as they welcome author and historian Jeffrey M. Sauve for an afternoon of true crime, historical sleuthing and the art of writing period literature. Jeffrey will present his latest book, Wheels of Murder: The 1896 Bank Robbery That Shocked a Small Prairie Town, the dramatic follow‑up to his 2023 Northern Minnesota Book Award–winning Murder at Minnesota Point.
Literary Events
Educator & Historian Meg Gorzycki shares Remember the Main
September 2, 2026 at 7pm at Zenith Bookstore 318 N Central Ave W. Duluth, MN
Join us as we welcome Meg Gorzycki. She’ll be sharing her new book Remember the Main: The Gay Bar That Started a Movement in the Northland. She’ll talk about her book and the history of the LGBTQ+ community in the Twin Ports. Meg will also answer questions from the audience and personally sign books for guests. Please invite a friend for this interesting evening.
Remember the Main: The Gay Bar That Started a Movement in the Northland tells the untold story of Bob Jansen who was fired from his job as a professor at a religious university in Duluth. He didn’t go quietly. The resulting legal settlement provided enough capital for a down payment on a dream. In 1983 he opened the Main Club, which became a hub for LGBTQ social life in the Twin Ports and Iron Range of northern Minnesota. More than just a bar, the Main served as an unofficial center for health information, fundraising, and political activism during a crucial and transformative period of gay history.
https://www.facebook.com/share/19NcUxE2sw
New York Times Author William Kent Krueger shares: God’s Country
September 4, 2026 at 7pm at Clyde Iron Works (upstairs) 2920 W Michigan St., Duluth, MN
Please join Zenith Bookstore for a very special evening at Clyde Iron Works (upstairs) on Friday, September 4th 7 PM. New York Times best-selling author William Kent Krueger will share his brand-new book, God’s Country (Simon & Schuster). If you have heard Kent speak before, you know you are in for an entertaining and captivating night! So, invite a friend or two. Books will be available for purchase that night or you can pre-order them through Zenith and Kent will be available to personally autograph your book at the event. Also, Clyde Iron Works will offer full bar service in our space.
In God’s Country, Cork O’Connor, prepares for a family trip into the Boundary Waters, but he is troubled by ominous visions about his future. Ignoring the warnings, he uncovers signs of violence while searching for his missing friend, Cordell Bishop. Soon, he is forced to negotiate with dangerous criminals, the Kennedy brothers, who are seeking their late father’s hidden stash.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1D2sTg7dJn
Songs of our Heritage: To Finland, With Love A Poetry-Cello Collaboration
September 12, 2026 at 11am at Wirtanen Pioneer Farm, 5312 Markham Rd, Makinen, MN
Enjoy a day celebrating fall and Minnesota heritage a the Wirtanen Farm Festival!
Poet Susan Perala-Dewey and her daughter, cellist Lindsay Schlemmer, will present a collaborative performance inspired by their Finnish heritage. As part of the program, Schlemmer will perform Jean Sibelius’ Theme and Variations for Solo Cello, 1887.
Families are welcome and encouraged to attend! https://wirtanenfarm.org/
Illustrator & Artist Jonathan Thunder: Blue Bearies
September 12, 2026 at 11am at Zenith Bookstore, 318 N Central Ave W., Duluth, MN
Join us for a very special story time with award-winning illustrator and artist Jonathan Thunder on Saturday, September 12th at 11 AM. Jonathan will read his new children’s book Blue Bearies that he illustrated. It is written by Brenda J. Child and translated by Gordon Jourdain. He will also answer audience questions about his process and work. All ages are welcome. Books will be available for purchase and Jonathan will personally autograph them for yourself or your favorite humans.
In Blue Bearies Brenda J. Child (Bíne) reprises the adventures of Windy Girl and her dog Itchy Boy with a focus on history and ecology, while Jonathan Thunder’s lively illustrations teem with playful humor. Anishinaabe educator Gordon Jourdain retells the story in Ojibwemowin. This much-anticipated sequel to the award-winning Bowwow Powwow celebrates the wonders of a time when, as Mrs. Mukwa shares, “we lived closely with our animal relatives”—to our mutual benefit.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1DofQ8rvLQ
Meet & Greet Bob Lyman: Catch and Release
September 12, 2026 from 1pm-3pm at Zenith Bookstore, 318 N Central Ave W., Duluth, MN
Please join Zenith Bookstore as we welcome Robert F. “Bob” Lyman for a Meet and Greet/Signing on Saturday, September 12 at 1-3 PM. Bob will share one-on-one with guests about his book Catch and Release: A Quiet Path Through the Eightfold Way. He will also personally sign his books for you or a special person. This book makes a great gift!
Drawing on decades of experience as a psychiatric social worker, along with his own continuing mindfulness practice, Lyman has written a deeply personal book about what it means for men to examine the habits, assumptions, and definitions of strength they have inherited—and to discover that change can begin with something as simple as noticing ourselves more clearly.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1JwYPKLPeu
Storytime with Sarah’s Serpentarium!
September 13, 2026 at 11am at Zenith Bookstore, 318 N Central Ave W., Duluth, MN
Join Zenith Bookstore for a very special September story time. Sarah will be bringing some of her friendly critters from her Serpentarium in Superior. This will be a fun and educational time for all ages. So invite a couple friends!
Poetry in Motion: ASL Poetry with Deaf Poet Raymond Luczak
September 15, 2026 at 6pm Eastern at Portage Lake Library, 58 Huron St, Houghton, MI
Come see Raymond Luczak, a Deaf poet, perform his poems on growing up Yooper in American Sign Language (ASL)! Raymond Luczak is the author and editor of over 40 books, including those that focus on the Yooper experience. His books once upon a twin and Animals Out-There W-i-l-d were selected as U.P. Notable Books respectively for the years 2021 and 2024. A proud Yooper and a graduate of Houghton High School (‘84), he lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Book Signing and Reading
September 17, 2026 from 5pm-7pm at Sunflower Books and Coffee, 528 Quincy Street Hancock MI
Local author, Emilie Lancour, will be signing copies of her books. At 6om, she will read a selection from her latest novel, “After School A Second Chance Widow Romance”. Stop by to say hello, shop and enjoy a coffee or ice cream too.
Former Governor Mark Dayton shares memoir: Perseverance
September 17, 2026 at 6pm at The Depot in the Great Hall, 506 W Michigan St., Duluth, MN
Please join Zenith Bookstore on Thursday, September 17th at the St. Louis County Depot – Great Hall as we welcome Former Minnesota Governor and Senator, Mark Dayton. Mark will be joined by his dear friend and former Senior Advisor, John Ongaro. We’ll begin this special evening with cocktails (including non-alcoholic) and conversation at 6 PM. All proceeds will go to the North Shore Scenic Railroad. At 7 PM we’ll shift into our fascinating program. Mark and John will discuss Mark’s new memoir, Perseverance (MN Historical Society Press). They will talk about being a Dayton’s Department Store heir, his senate and governorship, and other parts of his life. Mark will take questions from the audience. Afterwards, he’ll personally autograph his memoir for guests. This is a FREE event brought to you by Zenith and The Depot. Drinks and Mark’s book will be available for purchase. You may also pre-order Perseverance on our website or at the bookstore.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1Jddkvrb1T
True-crime Author Jeffrey Sauve Shares: Wheels of Murder
September 24, 2026 at 7pm at Zenith Bookstore, 318 N Central Ave W. Duluth, MN
Join Zenith Bookstore as we welcome true-crime author Jeffrey Sauve on Thursday, September 24th 7 PM. He will share his newest book, Wheels of Murder: The 1896 Bank Robbery That Shocked a Small Prairie Town. Jeffrey’s first book, Murder at Minnesota Point was a best-seller at Zenith. Jeffrey will read from his book, share stories, and happily take questions from the audience. He will personally sign his book afterwards.
On Oct. 7, 1896, the quiet town of Sherburn, Minnesota, was forever changed when the Kellihan brothers rolled into infamy, committing a daring bank robbery that would become the world’s first heist executed on bicycles. Wheels of Murder unravels the gripping true story of Hans and Lew Kellihan, two young men from Iowa who left a trail of murder, chaos and tragedy in their wake.
Feet in the Waves – Book launch party in Houghton, MI
September 25, 2026 at 6pm Eastern at The Well Read Raccoon & Curiosities, 314 Shelden Ave, Houghton, MI
Come join the editor Raymond Luczak and seven poets, from near and far, to celebrate the publication of the new anthology Feet in the Waves: Poems of Lake Superior with Jennifer Elen Bríd | Lisa Fosmo | Deborah K. Frontiera | Sonia Goltz | Jayson Iwen | Beverly Matherne | Dana Richter. Light refreshments to follow.
Authors in Conversation: Matt Goldman, Cary Griffith and Josh Moeling
September 30, 2026 from 6pm-8pm at the Bookstore at Fitgers, 600 E Superior St, Duluth, MN
Join us for a special Author Talk with three Minnesota Mystery authors: Matt Goldman, Cary J Griffith, and Josh Moehling. They’ve all published Minnesota based mysteries this year and we’ll be hosting them to discuss what makes Minnesota such a great place to set a mystery and how their books “translate” in other parts of the country.
Book Reading: Dead Moose on Isle Royale – Off Trail with the Citizen Scientists of the Wolf-Moose Project
October 7, 2026 at 5:30pm at Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N Main St, Ishpeming, MI
A one-hour Presentation/Book Reading includes:
- A high-level discussion of Isle Royale and its history.
- The history of the Wolf-Moose Study, how it got started.
- The Winter Study – what it entails and how it sets the stage for the Summer Study.
- The Summer Study – how the Project depends upon the volunteers to find dead moose year-in and year out.
- Science of the study – some examples of findings.
- Moose and Wolf bone show-and-tell.
Opportunities
U.P. Libraries Program at the U.P. Regional Library Conference
September 21-22, 2026 in Marquette, MI
The Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association (UPPAA) invites authors to participate in its U.P. Libraries Program at the U.P. Regional Library Conference, taking place September 21–22 in Marquette. This unique program places books by U.P. authors directly into the hands of librarians and library staff from across the region, helping build awareness of local literature and encouraging additions to library collections.
“This is a once-a-year opportunity for U.P. librarians to browse and take home the very best regional literature for their patrons’ collections,” said Evelyn Gathu, Director of the Crystal Falls District Community Library and 2025 U.P. Librarian of the Year. “When patrons learn about local authors, it inspires them to learn more about their own region and value its culture.”
Program details and registration information are available at http://www.uppaa.org/up-lib
Lakes Area Writer’s Conference
October 9 & 10, 2026 at Madden’s Resort in Brainerd, MN
All are invited to join us at our annual writer’s conference. This year our event will again be held at Madden’s Resort in Brainerd MN.
$60 conference fee tickets are now available on Eventbrite.
Hotel rooms can be booked direct through Madden’s, please DO mention the LAWA conference when you book a room.
2026-27 Minnesota Book Awards || Call For Submissions + Judges!
The MN Book Awards call for submissions opens on August 10. Refer here for full submission details.
Preliminary Round judges in all categories will begin receiving books in October and convene virtually on Saturday, January 23 to pick finalists. Each will receive a $750 stipend. Final Round judges will have until March 13 to read their four finalist titles, with judging occurring that Saturday. Stipend for this round is $500. The winner announcement will be embargoed until the spring ceremony (likely April 27). Compensated panel facilitator roles are also available. Applications for all of the above are open now through September 11. Click here for more information – or here to jump straight to the application form.
U.P. Reader #11 Submissions Now Open
Deadline: November 10, 2026
Share Your U.P. Story in U.P. Reader 2027
Writers, poets, historians, and storytellers: U.P. Reader 2027 is now seeking submissions! Since 2017, this annual anthology has celebrated the remarkable voices and stories of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula—from its people, places, history, and natural beauty to the unique spirit of life “Up North.”
We welcome fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, humor, memoir, essays, history, and other engaging work that captures some aspect of the U.P. Whether your story is rooted in the past, reflects life today, or imagines the future, we want to hear from you.
Help us continue bringing Upper Michigan literature to readers throughout the region and beyond.
Submission guidelines, deadlines, and complete details are available at upreader.org.
Your voice belongs in the U.P. Reader. Share your story with us!
KUDOS – News about our members
Marlene Broemer‘s poem, ‘Seven-Year Drought’ will be published in Bards West 2026.
Shelley Getten‘s poems, “The Volunteer” and “Connected” will be published in the Fall 2026 issue of Two Hawks Quarterly which is available online in September. https://twohawksquarterly.com/
Jan Jenson with St. Croix Writers shares that the recent Solon Springs Storytellers Event was a big success! Co-sponsored by RAVN (Rural Arts Voice North) and our writers group, it included readings by 10 of our members, music by Bruce Nelson, book signings and sales, refreshments and door prizes. We plan to offer more Storytellers events in the future.
Jessica Roeder’s novel Division of Birds won the Big Moose prize and will be published by Black Lawrence Press in 2028. You can read an excerpt here: https://blacklawrencepress.com/we-have-a-winner-the-2026-big-moose-prize/
Jessica Roeder‘s poetry chapbook Trees Full of Walking is available from Dancing Girl Press. The poems were composed by erasure. Read more here: https://dulcetshop.myshopify.com/products/roeder?_pos=1&_sid=9e9e9e3b4&_ss=r
Victoria Lynn Smith’s upcoming book, Silent Negotiations, a collection of short stories, has an official cover. Max Youngquist, a wonderful photographer, provided the photo. Smith’s book will be published by Cornerstone Press at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The book’s release date is February 23, 2027.
Are you a Lake Superior Writer member? Share your good news with us!
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 “I’m Not a Writer First” – An interview with Sarah Eilefson by Solomon Lubka
Lake Superior Writers 