A Poetry Slam and workshop on how to publish a book are highlights for the second annual Wadena Writers Week Nov. 5-10.
The event will be a celebration of writing in central Minnesota, said Gillette Kempf, organizer of writers week and owner of Borealis Books.
Last year, Kempf had just purchased the book store and then she attended the Deep Valley Book Festival in Mankato. That event had 75-80 Minnesota authors selling their books directly, introducing themselves and doing book signings, she said.
Then she recalled the Chicago Tribune Printers Row Book Fair, which she had attended every spring when she was living in Chicago. That event has 10 blocks of booksellers in five stages, doing readings, signings, asking questions.
"These two came together in my mind and I thought, 'why can't we do something like that in Wadena?'" Kempf said. "Why just have a scattered book signing here or there? Why not have a week-long event celebrating the life of the creative mind?"
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She chose November to have the event because November is the national novel writing month. It seemed like a good connection, she said.
She has Minnesota authors scheduled for book signings throughout the week at Borealis Books. The authors write a variety of books, from historical to inspirational to humor. There will be workshops throughout the week as well.
Kempf was amazed with how many people write and publish in central Minnesota.
She has a theory about why so many writers are in Minnesota.
"The air is clearer, there's something about central Minnesota that's a little more honest," she said. "You can get more in touch with the spiritual and emotional. There's something about the timelessness of the prairie that wants us to reach out and be remembered. It's why people come from other places to Minnesota to write."
Kempf used to be a technical writer and she has always been fond of reading.
"I love books; I love the written word," she said. "I like the idea of just celebrating books and the written word."
Throughout the week, events will be at Borealis Books, the Village Emporium, the Scrap Nook and Ben Franklin Crafts.
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The Poetry Slam, which Kempf is particularly excited about, will be at 6 p.m., Nov. 7, at the Cyber Cafe.
A Poetry Slam is an event where poets present their poem out loud in front of an audience, which includes judges.
"It's very real, powerful," Kempf said. "It's a celebration of the word."
It is a competition. The poet has three minutes to read his or her original poem in a dramatic way without using props. The poem is then scored by judges.
An emcee will run the Poetry Slam.
Those who want to participate can simply show up at the Cyber Cafe ready to present their poem.
Kempf is also excited about the workshop on how to publish a book at 11 a.m. on Nov. 10. Sharran Stockhausen of Expert Publishing will teach how to write a book query letter, the eight components of a non-fiction book proposal, 10 tips for fiction submissions, what agents and editors like to see and the differences among publishers from royalty to vanity. Pre-registration is appreciated for this event.
For more information call (218) 632-2665. For a complete list of events for Wadena Writers Week, go to www.borealisbook store.com/wadenawriters2007.html.
