Writers of the Northern Persuasion Author Forum

The eighth annual Finlandia University Campus Read concludes Saturday with the inaugural Writers of the Northern Persuasion author forum. The forum is free, open to the public and family friendly. It will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Finnish American Heritage Center on Quincy Street in Hancock.

This event will include more than 20 regional authors and publishers who will be selling books and giving presentations on writing and publishing. Other authors will be doing readings and Q&As. Many genres will be represented including fiction, non-fiction, regional, children’s, and others. A representative from Globe Printing will there to discuss self-publishing.

Below is a schedule of presentations and readers for the event, as well as bios for all of the authors.

Presentations:

10:15 a.m. – “So, you want to be a writer?” by Gretchen Preston

Gretchen Preston is the author of the Valley Cat series of beautifully illustrated children’s chapter books featuring two house cats, Boonie and River. History, geography, and facts about nature have been cleverly woven into the text. Visit prestonhillpress.com for more information on Gretchen and her books.

11 a.m. – “Putting your writing together” by Tyler Tichelaar

Tyler Tichelaar has written and published fifteen books, including several historical fiction novels set in Marquette, a play, a history book: “My Marquette,” and books of literary criticism and historical fantasy based on the Arthurian legend. Check out his web page at marquettefiction.com.

11:45 a.m. – “The ins and outs of self-publishing” by Stacey Willey, Globe Printing

Stacey Willey is the owner of Globe Printing and has a passion for helping authors realize their dreams. Stacey will be on hand to discuss the steps for self-publishing. She has worked with local authors such as Ben Mukkala, Jerry Harju, Dr. James Surell, and others. Learn more about Globe Printing at globeprinting.net.

Readers:

12:30 p.m. – Gretchen Preston

Gretchen Preston is the author of the Valley Cat series of beautifully illustrated children’s chapter books featuring two house cats, Boonie and River. History, geography, and facts about nature have been cleverly woven into the text. Visit prestonhillpress.com for more information on Gretchen and her books.

12:50 p.m. – Lynn Domina

Lynn Domina has authored two collections of poetry, Framed in Silence and Corporal Works. She is the editor of a collection of essays, Poets on the Psalms. Lynn is the head of the English Department at Northern Michigan University in Marquette. Learn more at lynndomina.com.

1:10 p.m. – Richard P. Smith

Richard P. Smith has been an outdoor writer and photographer for more than 30 years. He’s written 26 books and produced two DVDs on hunting, wildlife and other outdoor subjects. Samples of his works include Animal Tracks and Signs of North America, Great Michigan Deer Tales, and a DVD Walking with Whitetails. Learn more at richardpsmith.com.

1:30 p.m. – Tamara Lauder

Tamara Lauder is a professional artist who enjoys including inspirational and informational writing in her artwork. Her self-illustrated book Breaking Free Too: Taking a Flight with a Butterfly Toward Self-Discovery offers healing through the arts and is filled with symbolic artwork, interpretive titles and text that addresses the journey of life.

1:50 p.m. – Janeen Rastall

Janeen Pergrin Rastall’s poetry has appeared in several publications, including Wayne State University Press and The Raleigh Review. She was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2014 and her chapbook Objects May Appear Closer won the 2015 Celery City Chapbook Contest. Rastall is the author of In the Yellowed House and coauthor of Heart Radicals.

2:10 p.m. – Kathy Johnson

Kathleen Carlton Johnson’s poetry has appeared in Diner, Nassau Review, Connecticut Review, Barley South and Muzzle, to mention just a few. She has authored 10 poetry chapbooks and is known locally for her book of several years ago, called Keweenaw Mom. She will be reading from her latest chapbook, Hotel Normal.

2:30 p.m. – Mikel Classen

Mikel B. Classen has been writing about northern Michigan in newspapers and magazines for over thirty-five years. With an interest in lost stories, he has authored two non-fiction books: Au Sable Point Lighthouse, Beacon on Lake Superior’s Shipwreck Coast and Teddy Roosevelt and the Marquette Libel Trial and two books of fiction: Lake Superior Tales and Journeys into the Macabre. Learn more at mikelclassen.com.

2:50 p.m. – Beth Maki

Beth Maki’s book, Maggie Walz and the Early Finns on Drummond Island centers around Finnish-American homesteading on Drummond Island. Maggie Walz is the leading person in this book, whose remarkable journey is told through photos, maps and stories.

Following the event there will be an open mic event at K.C. Bonkers Toy Store and Coffee Shop on the 100 block of Quincy Street. That event is also free and open to the public, it will run from 6 to 8 p.m.

Writers of the Northern Persuasion author forum is made possible in partnership between the Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association and Finlandia University, while partially through funding from the Michigan Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Council for the Humanities.