Writer's Block

Two North Dakotans receive IBPA 2019 National Gold Medal

May 15th, 2019

The Powerful You book cover

Just last week, the Independent Book Publisher Association (IBPA) announced the winners of the 2019 National Gold Medal—and it turns out one of them is from North Dakota.

Author Patrick Atkinson and his son, illustrator Ernesto Atkinson, received the award in the Gift, Specialty, and Journal division for their 2018 book, “The Powerful You!,” published by Beavers Pond Press. This self-help book is geared towards a young audience, and offers guidance on coming-of-age transitional…

Best of Both Worlds: Connecting Nature and Literature with Kevin Zepper

April 3rd, 2019

Regional author and Minnesota State University English professor Kevin Zepper will host the Nature Poetry Workshop this Sunday, April 7th in Rochert, Minnesota. Zepper’s latest event will focus on techniques for creative, nature-inspired poetry by exploring the Tamarac Wildlife Refuge and taking in the natural beauty that the 44,000-acre landscape has to offer.

In addition to his ever-growing list of publications, Zepper has hosted a string of creative events in the area including…

Concordia Hosts ‘National Book Awards: Evening with the Authors’

March 6th, 2019

Left to right - Sigrid Nunez and Johnson Victoria

By Nataly Routledge
natalyroutledge@googlemail.com

MOORHEAD, MN —Authors Sigrid Nunez and Victoria Johnson have been invited to Concordia College for an evening of discussion on their latest two novels. Nunez’s “The Friend” won the 2018 National Book Award for Fiction, and Johnson’s “American Eden” was a finalist for the 2018 National Book Award for Nonfiction.

Concordia College is a founding partner in the National Book Foundation, a program dedicated to bringing National Book…

To be a Shadow Catcher

March 6th, 2019

Balkowitsch book cover and spine draft - provided by Murray Lemley

BISMARCK – Shadows are the true reflections of Shane Balkowitsch’s wet plate portraits. Whether he’s photographing Sitting Bull’s oldest descendant or documenting Indigenous modern struggles, he’s also exposing – one glass plate at a time – the darker underbelly that believed not too long ago Natives would no longer exist by 2019.

His work capturing Native portraits with the wet plate photographic process earned him the Hidatsa name Shadow Catcher, or Maa’ishda Tehixixi…

50th Annual UND Writers Conference

March 6th, 2019

Design by Raul Gomez

The 50th Annual UND Writers Conference, “What the Future Holds,” will take place March 20-22, 2019, on the second floor of the Memorial Student Union on UND’s campus in Grand Forks.

Founded in 1970, the UND Writers Conference has held every year since, even when the state of North Dakota has been threatened by blizzard, flood, and/or fire. Our goal has always been to offer free and open opportunities to access literature and art, as well as to interact with fellow lovers of…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

‘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…