Writer's Block

​New releases from FM publishing houses

March 6th, 2019

Local publishing housese, book proofs - photograph by Suzzanne Kelley

Fargo-Moorhead has a wealth of local publishing houses planning new literary releases within the next few months. All corresponding readings and book signings will be free and open to the public, complete with refreshments, hors d'oeuvres, and even live music.

Tonight, North Dakota State University Press is holding their 4th Annual Press Party at the Harry D. McGovern Alumni Center at 7:00 p.m. Featured authors will be Dawn Quigley, author of “Apple in the Middle;” Timothy Murphy,…

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​A State of Literary Arts

March 6th, 2019

Public reading on the Missouri - photograph by Suzzanne Kelley

By Suzzanne Kelley
suzzanne.kelley@ndsu.edu 

Reading is such a solitary enterprise, but North Dakota’s community of literary endeavors . . . well, that’s a whole other story.

North Dakota’s literary scene covers the gamut from writers to readers, with publishers, community reads, book clubs and writers’ groups, designers and printers, writing conferences, and even an annual book festival. Get ready to bookmark coming events, and take note about the state of literary arts and…

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​Zandbroz Variety to host Laetitia Mizero Hellerud reading

February 6th, 2019

Laetitia Mizero Hellerud

Next Friday, local author Laetitia Mizero Hellerud will host a reading for her latest nonfiction book, “Turning Points: True Stories of Thriving Through Adversity,” at Zandbroz Variety. This event will be free and open to the public, with copies of the book available for purchase.

While Hellerud’s previous book, “Being at Home in the World: Cross-Cultural Leadership Lessons to Guide Your Journey,” chronicled her own experiences as a refugee in her politically unstable home…

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​Eco Chic to host rescues and ‘Rescue Matters’ reading

January 30th, 2019

Bear and Maddy - photograph by Angel Hagen

This Saturday, Fargo’s Eco Chic will feature adoptable dogs at a book signing for author CJ English. Her nonfiction book, “Rescue Matters,” tells the story of the founding of Turtle Mountain Animal Rescue (TMAR) in Rolette County, North Dakota. This event will be free and open to the public, with copies of the book available for purchase. Half the proceeds will go to TMAR.

TMAR—which was founded by deputy officer Keith Benning, his wife Kim, and Lacey Strietzel—is a nonprofit…

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​‘Rescue Matters’ book release party

January 16th, 2019

Two dogs fighting over long underwear - photograph by C.S. Hagen

This Saturday, Prairie Brothers Brewing Company is hosting author CJ English in a release party for her book, “Rescue Matters.” Published by English House back in December, this nonfiction book tells the story of Keith Benning, a deputy officer in Rolette County, North Dakota who became one of the founders of Turtle Mountain Animal Rescue (TMAR).

English is an Amazon Kindle Best Selling Author. Her breakout ebook was a memoir entitled “Affairytale,” which became a finalist for…

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Jacqueline Bussie refuses to let go of love

January 9th, 2019

Next Tuesday, award-winning author, public speaker, and Concordia professor Jacqueline Bussie will be at the Fargo Public Library for a reading and signing of her latest book, “Love Without Limits: Jesus’ Radical Vision for Love With No Exceptions.” This event will be free and open to the public, with copies available for purchase.

“Love Without Limits”—which is part memoir and part theological guide—was written during the contentious 2016 presidential election. In an interview…

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Visiting Bob Anthology Launch

December 5th, 2018

Bob Dylan- by Chris Hakkens

by Nataly Routledge
natalyroutledge@googlemail.com

FARGO—Editors Thom Tammaro and Alan Davis are launching their anthology Visiting Bob: Poems Inspired by the Life and Work by Bob Dylan on December 9th at 2pm. The event will be held at Zandbroz Variety and will incorporate words from the editors, readings from various poets, and live music. Visiting Bob is a collection of 100 poems written by 100 poets based upon the life of artist Bob Dylan.

The anthology, published through New Rivers…

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Tough and humble

November 28th, 2018


Jeff Kolpack - photograph by Alexandra Floersch

When Monday Night Football host Jon Gruden called Carson Wentz “North Dakota Tough” during one fateful Monday night game, it struck a chord within writer Jeff Kolpack.

Though he didn’t come up with the idea for his latest book “North Dakota Tough” that night and he can’t really say exactly when the idea hit, once the idea struck it struck hard.

He said, “At one point I’m just going, you know, he’s onto something here because there are a lot of people here who grew up…

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Best books for giving

November 14th, 2018

Charles Beck - The Nature of an Artist

by Greg Danz
greg@zandbroz.com

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year for a lot of reasons. One of our favorite reasons is you have more excuses to buy cool books. If you choose carefully, giving a book is the gift that keeps on giving, it will be enjoyed long after the holidays are gone (can you say February). Coincidentally, this is the time of year when publishers present some of their finest works. Here are some of our favorite books for sharing this holiday season.


“The…

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Closing this year’s Community Read

October 31st, 2018


by Nataly Routledge

MOORHEAD-- “I thought I’d read 30 pages of the book in a monotone,” said Penny Duffy in the introduction to the question and answer session for her novel on Thursday. The audience lit up with laughter. Held at the Knutson Center of Concordia college, the event was held as part of this year’s 1 Book, 1 Community read for the Fargo, West-Fargo, and Moorhead communities.

The yearly community read for our region is hosted by the local libraries. This was the 7th…

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