Food for the soul and for the belly

Richard Sennott, Star Tribune

Charles Baxter in 2003.

Last update: October 31, 2008 - 3:51 PM

By Laurie Hertzel

Six notable writers from the University of Minnesota will read from recent works next week to raise money for foodshelves.

Charles Baxter, author of "The Feast of Love," "The Soul Thief" and other novels, will be the host, accompanied by fellow writers and faculty members Julie Schumacher, Patricia Hampl, Michael Dennis Browne and Madelon Sprengnether, as well as graduate student Katie Leo.

"It was Charlie Baxter's idea," Schumach- er said. "He was the one who pointed out that other schools have done this sort of thing, other groups of writers have collaborated to promote benefits for hunger relief, and why are we not doing this sort of thing? And I said, no reason, we should be."

The event is free, with a suggested donation of $5 to Second Harvest Heartland, the Upper Midwest's largest hunger relief organization. It begins at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Bell Museum auditorium at the University of Minnesota.

Also ...

• Laurie Lindeen, a founding member of the defunct Minneapolis band Zuzu's Petals, will be at the 400 Bar on Minneapolis' West Bank from 9 p.m. to midnight Saturday for a special reading and rock event celebrating the paperback release of her memoir, "Petal Pusher" (Washington Square Press, 336 pages, $13).

• Scott Muskin of Minneapolis has won the Parthenon Prize for fiction for his novel "The Annunciations of Hank Meyerson, Mama's Boy and Scholar." The honor carries a $15,000 prize and publication; the final judge was Tony Earley, author of "Jim the Boy." Muskin was a finalist for the 2005 Flannery O'Connor Award for his collection of short stories. His book will be published in February by Hooded Friar Press.

• A new book of essays published by Prairie Echoes Press of Roseville traces the exile of the Dakota Indians from Minnesota after the Dakota War of 1862. "Trails of Tears," edited by Mary Hawker Bakeman and Antona Richardson ($24.95), looks at actions taken by Henry Sibley's army and provides insight into individual Dakota families. The book is available online at www.parkbooks.com.

• St. Paul writer Karin Winegar and Minneapolis photographer Judy Olausen have published a book on animal rescue. "Saved" (De Capo, 212 pages, $25.95) is a collection of stories of rescued pets who, in turn, helped heal the wounds of those who saved them. The authors will do a reading and book signing at 7 p.m. Nov. 11 at the University of Minnesota Bookstore in Minneapolis.

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Here are some of Books Editor Laurie Hertzel's favorite sites and blogs. Got a literary link to share? E-mail Laurie.

Talk of the Stacks An author series from the Library Foundation of Hennepin County.
Poets & Writers The website for Poets and Writers Magazine--podcasts, author interviews, and writing resources.
Creative Writing A place to keep apprised of writing competitions in the United States.
Gather Minnesota Readers The Website for Minnesota Public Radio's books blog.
The Loft Literary Center The Website for the Loft, a local place for writers and readers.
Good Reads A way to track what you're reading, and what your friends are reading.
Lost Manuscripts Just what it sounds like - a blog (sporadically updated) devoted to missing and destroyed manuscripts.
Maud Newton Very hip, reviews, links, a little attitude.
bookreporter.com A plethora of online book reviews and reading guides.
Rain Taxi Rain Taxi Review of Books.