From Sherman Alexie to Bonnie Jo Campbell to Joy Williams: This fall is bringing in authors like mad

From the U of M to the Loft, Macalester College to the State Fairgrounds, writers, writers everywhere.

September 16, 2015 at 10:27PM
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Rupert Thomson
Rupert Thomson (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

It's been said that there are literary events in the Twin Cities any night of any week of any month, and that is very close to being true. But boy it is especially true in the fall. We've already told you about upcoming Talking Volumes, Club Book and Pen Pals events. (Though you can click on the links to be reminded--John Irving, Emily St. John Mandel, Stacy Schiff, Marlon James....)

Here's a sampling of some of the other authors coming through here in the next couple of months.

16TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF MINNESOTA CHILDREN'S AUTHORS AND ILLUSTRATORS

Noon to 5 p.m., Sept. 19, at the Anderson Center in Red Wing. This is more than a literary event, though it is literary in its soul: Alan Page, Kamie Page, John Coy, Michael Hall, Molly Beth Griffin, Stephanie Watson, and many others will do readings, sign books, and conduct workshops. Also: face-painting, balloon sculpting, puppet shows, and food.

ENGLISH @ MINNESOTA WRITERS SERIES

The University of MInnesota is hosting writers and readings every month, including Jeanette Winterson, essayist Brenda Miller, and Peter Ho Davies. And Charles Baxter's annual hunger-relief readings. Here are times and places:

Peter Ho Davies. 7 p.m. Sept. 17, Weisman Art Museum. Davies is the author of the novel "The Welsh Girl" and the story collections "The Ugliest House in the World" and "Equal Love."

Anna Journey. 7 p.m., Oct. 8, Walter Library. Author of the poetry collections "Vulgar Remedies," and "If Birds Gather Your Hair for Nesting."

The South Asian Women's Creative Collective (SAWCC) presents its Fifth Annual Asian Literary Festival. Titled "Electric Ladyland," the two-day event featured a series of readings, panels, and workshops at the Asian American Writers' Workshop and the New School for Social Research.
(Preston Merchant/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Charles Baxter's Hunger Benefit. 7 p.m. Oct. 27, University Hall, McNamara Alumni Center. This year with Kim Todd and V.V. Ganeshananthan. Bring $5 for Second Harvest.

Jeanette Winterston. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28, Coffman Union Theater. The author of the memoir, "Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?" has just published her eleventh novel, "The Gap of Time," based on Shakespeare's "The Winter's Tale."
Brenda Miller. 7 p.m. Nov. 17, Weisman Art Museum. Miller, the author of "Listening Against the Stone," and "Blessing of the Animals," has won six Pushcart Prizes.

MACALESTER COLLEGE

Sherman Alexie and Robert Hershon. 7 p.m. Oct. 5, Kagin Commons, Macalester. They will read poetry at this event, which is free and open to the public.

TWIN CITIES BOOK FESTIVAL, HOSTED BY RAIN TAXI

Oct. 17, all day, and free, at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. The lineup includes Christian Bok, Joy Williams, Rupert Thomson, Susan Cheever, Laila Lalami, John Coy, Stephanie Watson, Mike Wohnoutka, anda host of others. For more information, visit their Web page.

LOFT LITERARY CENTER

Freya Manfred, 7 p.m. Sept 18

(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Bonnie Jo Campell, 7 p.m. Oct. 21, publication reading for her new story collection, 'Mothers, tell Your Daughters."

For a full listing of the Loft's events, go to their Website.

Go meet an author. Buy a book. Buy two. Get them signed.

about the writer

about the writer

Laurie Hertzel

Senior Editor

Freelance writer and former Star Tribune books editor Laurie Hertzel is at lauriehertzel@gmail.com.

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