FM celebrates Independent Bookstore Day

Writer's Block | 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 beginnings as a dry state, its secret network of brewers and smugglers, and the eventual success of its local craft breweries and beer pubs in 1995.

Nelson has written for Thomson Reuters, Delta Sky Magazine, AAA Living Magazine, Matador Network, USA Today, and other publications. She currently blogs at prairiestylefile.com and is one of Area Woman Magazine's primary photographers.

At 1 p.m., the visiting author will be Matthew Valan, who wrote the memoir Sister Secrets: A Brother's Reveal, published by NDSU Press just last month. This memoir begins on a family farm in Red River Valley, where Valan grew up with two sisters who struggled with undiagnosed manic depression. The story later delves into Valan's own struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts.

Valan serves on the Board of Moorhead Area Public Schools and as senior pastor of Fargo’s Messiah Lutheran Church. He is a nationally recognized pastor on The Hour of Worship television ministry.

At 3 p.m., the spotlight will turn to Danielle Teigen, author of Hidden History of Fargo, published by The History Press last August. Along with stories about the first men to cross the Red River, the founders of Wells Fargo Bank, and other influential figures, this book contains vintage photos from Teigen's personal collection, as well as from the Forum and the Institute for Regional Studies at NDSU.

Teigen, who is currently the features editor for Forum Communications, has written for the Forum, Bison Illustrated, The Good Life, Lake and Home Magazine, From House to Home, and Wedding Vow.

At 4 p.m., the final author will be Eric Bergeson, who wrote Successful Gardening on the Northern Prairie, a comprehensive guide for those taking on the challenge of cultivating plant life in the cold climates and alkaline souls of this region. This book covers everything from trees and shrubs to flowers, fruits, and vegetables.

Bergeson, who ran the Bergeson Nursery for seventeen years, currently works as a public speaker on gardening practices, and has published seven books and written for 22 area newspapers. He also hosted Little Garden on the Prairie, a local cable TV show that ran for thirteen episodes.

National Independent Bookstore Day

Saturday, April 28

9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Zandbroz Variety

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