The winners of the 23rd annual Northeastern Minnesota Book Awards will be announced on May 19 at UMD. Children's author Mary Casanova will be keynote speaker.

The event will open at 5 p.m. with a book fair and dessert reception. Poet and essayist Barton Sutter will emcee the program, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. Nearly 50 books are competing in five categories; wniners will receive $200 and a glass plaque. For a list of the nominees, go here.

Casanova lives in Ranier, Minn., and has written 19 novels and picture books. She has won many awards, including two Minnesota Book Awards.

The evening is free and open to the public and will take place in UMD's Kirby Ballroom in Duluth. It is sponsored by the UMD Library, with support from Friends of the Duluth Public Library and Lake Superior Writers.

The day before, Casanova will lead a workshop on writing children's books. The workshop will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, in the UMD Library. The fee is $35 for members of the Lake Superior Writers, or $40 for others. email charlene@clovervalleypress.com.