Hold the presses! (for trivia)

This fall, three local presses and the Loft Literary Center are hosting a trivia contest to celebrate their decades in the Twin Cities. Submit a question for the contest and you might win a prize.

By LAURIE HERTZEL, Star Tribune

Last update: July 29, 2009 - 7:22 PM

So you think you know a lot about Minnesota's literary heritage?

Come up with some good trivia questions about Minnesota writers or books and you might win a prize.

This fall marks significant anniversaries for three Twin Cities literary presses -- Graywolf Press turns 35, Milkweed Editions turns 30 and Coffee House Press turns 25. It's also the 35th anniversary of the Loft Literary Center. To celebrate, all four organizations are hosting a trivia contest, in collaboration with many Twin Cities bookstores.

Each week from Oct. 10 until Christmas Eve, a new question will be made public, which must be answered in person at one of two bookstores. Contest participants must visit that week's bookstore -- which will offer specials and prizes to participants -- and, upon answering the question correctly, secure a stamp in a trivia "passport."

The person with the most stamps at the end of the competition will win $2,000 worth of prizes, including books, tote bags and a season pass to the Talking Volumes regional book club.

But first they need some questions.

This is where you come in.

Organizers are hoping for all kinds of questions, said Erin Kottke of Graywolf Press. Questions can be about contemporary writers, as well as writers past, children's books, fiction, nonfiction -- the only requirements are that they must be related to Minnesota literature, Minnesota literary figures or the state's literary history. And you can't just submit a question; you need to submit an answer, as well.

Suggested questions can be submitted between Monday and Aug. 14 by e-mail to TwinCitiesLit@gmail.com or sent to Graywolf Press, 2402 W. University Av., St. Paul, MN 55114.

Winners will receive books from Graywolf, Milkweed and Coffee House, plus a tote bag from the Loft Literary Center.

Laurie Hertzel • 612-673-7302

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Holiday books: Biography

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

Twin Cities Literary Scavenger Hunt Home page for the scavenger hunt, which runs now through Dec. 26.
Reading Minnesota A blog that features Minnesota writers, illustrators, publishers, bookstores, and reviewers.
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.