Writer's Block

Illustrating ‘The Bear and His Daughter’

May 16th, 2018

“Mother” a red mother bear with a white baby bear - by Christina JohnsonThree years ago, the children’s book “Peter the Slug” was self-published by local author Peter Schultz. Today, under the name Peter Fane, that same author has released “The Blind Dragon” and “The Bear and His Daughter,” both part of the Canon of Tarn series.

These books have a sizeable following, due to successful readings and book signings at several local businesses. Most recently, there was a reading and book giveaway last Tuesday at the Creative Plains Foundation.

Now…

Read more...


​FM celebrates Independent Bookstore Day

April 25th, 2018

Four local authors will be making appearances at Zandbroz Variety for this year’s celebration of Independent Bookstore Day. 

In addition to providing free donuts and coffee, the store will offer limited edition items and chances to win prizes.

At 11 a.m., Alicia Underlee Nelson will be there to answer questions and sign copies of her book, North Dakota Beer: A Heady History. Printed by Arcadia Publishing as part of their American Palate series, this book is a chronicle of North Dakota's…

Read more...


​Danielle Teigen: ‘Hidden History of Fargo’ presentation

March 21st, 2018

On Tuesday the 27th, local author and journalist Danielle Teigen will give a presentation at Fargo Public Library on her book, “Hidden History of Fargo,” published by The History Press last August. This will be free and open to the public, with copies of the book available for purchase.

“Hidden History” focuses on influential figures in Fargo’s history, ranging from farmers, ranchers, and business tycoons. This includes the founders of the Forum, the first men to cross the Red…

Read more...


​A wealth of information: NDSU Archives to host open house

February 7th, 2018

Figure drawing at NDSU - photograph courtesy of NDSU ArchivesThe NDSU archives look unassuming enough, located in a large warehouse near the interstate in the warehouse district in Fargo, but once inside one will discover a treasure trove of information. “We have over 20,000 books on the history of North Dakota, covering every topic you can think of. We do specialize in town and county histories, biographies, histories of various businesses... We cover a really wide array of subjects from North Dakota.” Says Trista Raezer-Stursa, head of the…

Read more...


​Local author to give presentation on North Dakota’s beer history

January 17th, 2018

Alicia Underlee NelsonNext Thursday, West Fargo author Alicia Underlee Nelson will give a presentation on North Dakota history at the Fargo Public Library; specifically, the history of our state's beer industry, as detailed in her book, North Dakota Beer: A Heady History. Nelson's book chronicles North Dakota's journey toward becoming the nation's biggest producer of malted barley, and the many setbacks along the way. North Dakota was admitted into the Union as a dry state in August of 1889, with a deadline…

Read more...


Winter reading assignment: North Dakota’s geologic legacy

November 29th, 2017

John Bluemle’s new book, “North Dakota’s Geologic Legacy” (actually published in 2016 and now in its second printing), is the culmination of a career of more than 40 years he spent with the North Dakota Geological Survey, researching all facets of North Dakota’s geology, and carrying the title of State Geologist.

It’s his fourth in a series of books designed, as he says, “for physical and armchair travelers.” His earlier work, “The Face of North Dakota,” comprised…

Read more...


Reading, book signing: former ND poet laureate Mark Vinz

November 24th, 2017

On Sunday, Mark Vinz will be at Zandbroz Variety to read from and sign copies of his latest book of poetry, “Man of the House: Scenes from a ’50s Childhood.” This autobiographical collection was published by MSUM’s New Rivers Press, while the book cover was designed by intern Mandi Wahl, a graphic design major with a minor in art.

Vinz previously read from “Man of the House” at the latest New Rivers Press book launch on November 9th. This took place in the Livingston Lord…

Read more...


Poetry reading: Rag Talk

November 17th, 2017

This Friday will be the last chance to take part in a poetry reading hosted by The Poetry Rag and the Drumconrath Brewing Company in Mapleton. Rag Talk has been held every Friday since October 20 and is free and open to the public.

In addition to scheduled readers, there will be an open mic period for anyone wanting to participate. Participants are free to bring poetry, short stories, or works of creative nonfiction, and enjoy the varieties of craft beer.

The Poetry Rag has been in…

Read more...


​One book, one community

October 18th, 2017

The Fargo, Moorhead, and West Fargo Public Libraries have once again teamed up for the One Book, One Community Program. Last year’s selection was ‘The Latehomecomer,’ by St. Paul author Kao Kalia Yang. The selection prior was ‘Fractured Land: The Price of Inheriting Oil,’ by Minneapolis author Lisa Westberg Peters.

This year the book they’ve selected is ‘Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet,’ winner of the 2010 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature. On Tuesday…

Read more...


​Dark glasses darkly comedic

September 27th, 2017

Last week in the back room of Zandbroz Variety, local author Dan Hendrickson read from and signed copies of his latest book, Dark Glasses, a collection of short, absurdist, darkly comedic poems.

Prior to reading, Hendrickson gave his audience a preview of his self-deprecating sense of humor. Of his poems, he admitted, “Some of them will probably work, some will not. I like to say they’re kind of like bugs hitting a windshield, so if one splatters and doesn’t go anywhere, just hit…

Read more...


Tracker Pixel for Entry NewSalem1 Tracker Pixel for Entry 7Clans Tracker Pixel for Entry NewSalem1C Tracker Pixel for Entry Gruff1 Tracker Pixel for Entry Blackbird Tracker Pixel for Entry Farrms

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee NelsonLocal groups will speak out against current and projected federal budget cuts in downtown Fargo this Saturday, April 26. The Red River Valley chapters of Fearless and Indivisible will lead a protest from…

By Prairie Rose Seminolems.prairierose@gmail.com I was a child who walked behind my parents into classrooms and kitchens, spaces of song and prayer, where teachings lived in the air and settled on my shoulders. I didn’t yet have…

Saturday, April 26, 1:30-3:30 p.m.Rourke Art Gallery + Museum, 521 Main Ave., MoorheadThings are coming up rosy at the Rourke in a true feast of the senses during the third annual “Gallery in Bloom” exhibit. The pop-up…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com I feel like reading a newspaper is the equivalent of listening to music on vinyl. Not only is it analog, it’s an experience. I might be a little biased, but there's something about the rustling…

By Ed Raymondfargogadly@gmail.comThe wizards and kleagles in whites now wear blue suits and red tiesA hundred years ago, more than 30,000 members of the Ku Klux Klan from virtually every state in the Union wearing their white…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com After a very inspiring conversation with Kayla Houchin of Sonder Bakehouse a few weeks ago, I decided that it’s an appropriate time to write a column about some of the sweet people who are involved…

Mooncats and Pert Near Sandstone play Empire TheatreBy Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comThe MoonCats describe themselves as “Americonscious Campfire Folk.” They have a clear acoustic folk sound with a sense of whimsy — think…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.comRyan Coogler goes big and bold with “Sinners,” a sweaty, bloody vampire movie set in 1932. The filmmaker stuffs this universe with enough ideas to serve a limited-series season of episodic…

By Raul Gomez Modern Man was a gentle soul. If you were down or just wanted a friend, he’d be there for you. I remember the first day I met Modern Man. It was Jeremiah Fuglseth and me. He wanted to write about this legendary…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.comHigh Plains Reader had the opportunity to interview two mysterious new game show hosts named Milt and Bradley Barker about an upcoming event they will be putting on at Brewhalla. What…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

By Josette Ciceronunapologeticallyanxiousme@gmail.com What does it mean to truly live in a community —or should I say, among community? It’s a question I have been wrestling with since I moved to Fargo-Moorhead in February 2022.…

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Faye Seidlerfayeseidler@gmail.com In 2023, the Superintendent of Fargo Public Schools, Rupak Ghandi, gave a passionate plea to the Fargo School Board to follow federal law, because a recently passed state law would increase…