A Year-Round Book Festival - NATIONAL WRITERS SERIES - A WORLD OF CHANGE S FALL SEASON 2021
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NATIONAL WRITERS SERIES
A Year-Round Book Festival
A WORLD OF CHANGE S FALL SEASON 2021
where great conversations begin !
WELCOME TO THE NWS 2021 FALL AUTHOR SEASON
A WORLD OF CHANGE RAISING WRITERS
Dear NWS Friends,
Front Street Writers is all new
D uring a brainstorming meeting,
we kept coming back to a phrase
that described this year’s fall season: W hile bringing amazing authors
to northern Michigan is our
all-virtual, semester-long course
modeled after a Master of Fine
“a world of change.” It’s certainly honor and delight, it’s only part Arts that will dive into fiction,
been a world of change for us at of our mission. NWS also exists to poetry, and creative nonfiction.
the National Writers Series—in the create opportunities for young writers
last nine months we’ve welcomed to find their voices, to experience WRITING WORKSHOPS:
a new executive director and what it feels like to make a life out Each month, NWS will offer a
communications manager, hosted of art, and—maybe—a living, too. 1- or 2-day writing workshop
15 authors on Zoom, held an entirely across a variety of topics.
virtual Battle of the Books, started a The pandemic taught us that we can
reach more students than we ever This fall, kids can sign up to learn
podcast, prepared for our return to and changing with every page. more about college essay writing
live events, and launched a brand-new dreamed possible, so we’re dreaming
bigger. This fall, Front Street Writers (September), screenwriting
iteration of Front Street Writers (see But what hasn’t changed after all this
will be accessible via virtual and (October), playwriting (November),
RAISING WRITERS column for more!) time is how we feel about you, our
in-person classes, and for the and poetry (December).
friends, fans, and supporters. You
Phew! carried us through to this moment, first time, we’ll have year-round AUTHOR MASTERCLASSES:
where we can return to live events creative writing opportunities for
We think this season is going to bring Several authors visiting the
and celebrate great stories and great students in grades 7-12. Best of all,
about a world of change as well. We’ll NWS stage will also be making
conversations at the City Opera thanks to some amazing grantors
be talking about mental health and a stop to work with students.
House, our home. Thank you for and donors, we are able to offer
healing, coexistence between humans all of our programs for FREE! Students in grades 9–12 can join Mary
every donation, encouraging email,
and wildlife, the magic of books, Roach, author of Fuzz: When Nature
and Zoom login you’ve made since
Greek tragedy (with a side of murder), Here are three opportunities for aspiring
March of 2020. The world changed, Breaks the Law, and Angeline Boulley,
antiracism, the global refugee crisis, writers across northern Michigan:
but you made sure NWS could author of Firekeeper’s Daughter, this fall
and Indigenous experiences. keep doing what we love to do. to learn more about the craft of writing.
CREATIVE WRITING INTENSIVE:
As we read the books by the High school 10th–12th grade can
We hope you’ll enjoy the fall season, TO LEARN MORE, VISIT:
amazing authors headed to the apply through September 15 to
City Opera House or Zoom screen, be part of the Front Street Writers NationalWritersSeries.org/
The National Writers Series Staff
we know we’re learning, growing, and Board Creative Writing Intensive, an Front-Street-Writers
OUR MISSION
The National Writers
Series of Traverse City
is a nonprofit organization BATTLE OF THE COLLEGE
dedicated to holding great BOOKS SCHOLARSHIPS
NWS is proud to work with the
conversations with today’s Battle of the Books is gearing
Grand Traverse Regional Commu-
up for the 2022 competition!
best authors and building nity Foundation to distribute four
annual college scholarships in
the reading and writing Registration opens in November
poetry, journalism, fiction, and non-
for teams of fourth and fifth
skills of youth. graders.
fiction. Applications for the 2022
scholarships will open in January.
SEPTEMBER 9, 7PM • CIVIC CENTER AMPHITHEATER
RAISING THE LITERARY BAR SINCE 2010
PAM HOUSTON • NWS broadcasts author events
on IPR, Traverse Area Community
• Sixty-two teams engaged
in a creative and fun Battle of
“THERE IS SO MUCH BEAUTY, Media, YouTube, and makes the Books this year. This year
WISDOM, AND TRUTH in this them available to public radio 355 students were quizzed on
stations around the country. nine books.
book… This is a book for all of The NWS virtual events are
us, right now.” available on our website. • Each spring, we’ve hosted
~ Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild poetry workshops at Traverse
• More than 69,000 people have Heights and Blair Elementary
attended events since we started. schools. This year, the poetry
Livestream tickets are workshops were held virtually
also available. • Awarded $56,000 in scholar- and offered to all area students.
ships to 38 collegebound
P am Houston
was originally
scheduled to
students.
• We’ve hosted more than 200
• NWS creates and promotes
youth creative writing
classes in partnership with
join the National authors for onstage conversa- Northwestern Michigan College.
tions over the past 11 years.
Writers Series in
• Each spring, we publish the
April of 2020, and
• Our Raising Writers programs annual National Writers Series
we’re thrilled to be able offer creative writing oppor- Literary Journal, which includes
to bring her back for a discussion tunities that engage kids from student writing from Front Street
of the book she originally planned of essays, A Little More About Me, ages 9-18 throughout northern Writers, poetry workshops, and
to talk with us about: Deep Creek: all published by W.W. Norton. Michigan. NMC creative writing classes
Finding Hope In The High Country.
She teaches in the Low Rez MFA
program at the Institute of American
Deep Creek is the winner of the
Indian Arts, is Professor of English
2020 Colorado Book Award for
Creative Nonfiction as well as the
at UC Davis, and co-founder and
creative director of the literary
KUDOS FOR NATIONAL WRITERS SERIES
2020 Reading the West Advocacy
nonprofit Writing By Writers. She lives
Award. This gripping personal mem-
at 9,000 feet above sea level near
oir shows us how Houston learns “My experience with the National
the headwaters of the Rio Grande.
what it means to care for a piece Writers Series was a highlight of my
of land and the creatures on it. book tour. From the lead up to event
Guest Host execution, everything about the series
Alongside her devoted Irish CHRISTAL was first rate. The audience engaged
wolfhounds and a spirited troupe FROST with me and my work from a place of
of horses, donkeys, and Icelandic Frost is a openness and curiosity. Every author
sheep, Houston makes her ranch should be fortunate enough to participate
popular me-
into a sanctuary, a place where in the National Writers Series. I look forward to
dia personal-
she discovers how the natural returning in the near future.”
ity in northern
world has mothered and healed Michigan, known for ~ Dax-Devlon Ross, Letters to My
her after a childhood of horrific hosting “The Christal Frost Show” on White Male Friends
parental abuse and neglect. NewsTalk 580 WTCM and being
one half of “Mike and Christal in
Booklist says that the “always im-
the Morning” on Today’s Country
pressive” Houston “is in striking “The NWS team is made up of
Music WTCM. She also hosts food
form here. Her talent remains re- passionate readers who want to share
and travel programs and is actively
markable and her words extraor- their genuine enthusiasm for your
involved with many community
dinarily affecting and effective.” work with equally passionate readers
groups, including the Traverse Bay
reached by excellent publicity. The
Houston is the author of Deep Children’s Advocacy Center.
interviewer (who actually reads the
Creek and Air Mail, Letters of book before the event!) will have fresh,
Politics, Pandemics, and Place. She GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY insightful, and interesting questions. So if
has written two novels, Contents Event Sponsor: Grand Traverse you're invited to be a part of their program? Relax
May Have Shifted and Sight Hound, Pie Company and say yes. It will be a great experience.”
two collections of short stories, Community Partners: Traverse Bay
~ Mary Doria Russell, The Women of
Cowboys Are My Weakness and Children’s Advocacy Center;
the Copper Country
Waltzing the Cat, and a collection Grass River Natural Area
member. Together, they will attempt SHANNON SPANN DEBRUYN is a
SEPTEMBER 23, 5:30 PM • Live at the City Opera House to answer those pivotal questions, lawyer and former intelligence officer
shining a light on history, global and extensive operational and analytical
AFGHANISTAN: local, as it unfolds before us. Panel
discussion begins at 6:30 p.m. EST.
security and counter-terrorism
experience both in the U.S. and
A PANEL AND Q&A HOSTED overseas. She currently serves as Vice
Join the conversation early from President of ADVANCE Resources and
BY DOUG STANTON
5:30-6:15 for a “then to now” prelude Consulting.
A limited number of in-person seats lecture from Jack Segal, who made
available at the City Opera House for 40 visits to Afghanistan between 2002 JACK SEGAL is a former senior U.S.
this special event. Livestream tickets and 2010 during his time with NATO. diplomat who advised NATO generals
are also available.
and influenced NATO civilian policy
INTERNATIONAL PANEL makers during the Afghanistan
A fter a 20-year war,
the United States
left Afghanistan.
DOUG STANTON is a #1 New York
Times-bestselling author and co-
founder of the National Writers Series.
conflict, and served on the National
Security Council and at the US
Embassy in Tel-Aviv.
Political turmoil and Stanton is the author of In Harm’s Way,
civil unrest followed, Odyssey of Echo Company, and Horse EDRIS FANA, a local NMC graduate
leaving Americans Soldiers. His writing has appeared in from Afghanistan who fled the Taliban
wondering: what did we numerous national publications where as a child in 1994. He went on to get
lose, what did we gain, and what was he has been a contributing editor. his undergraduate degree in business
the cost? from Ferris State University. Edris
RAHELA HASHIM SIDIQI is the Found- continues to pursue his dream, begun
In a new, updated edition of Doug ing Director of Rahela Trust for Afghan while flying kites in Afghanistan, of
Stanton’s bestselling book Horse retired US diplomat; Rahela Sidiqi, Women’s Education. She is the former becoming a pilot and now has his
Soldiers, published for the 20th founder of an NGO for Afghan Senior Advisor of Afghanistan Civil commercial pilots license.
anniversary of 9/11, he talks with the women’s rights; and Shannon Spann Service Commission and Senior Social
four panelists NWS is bringing to the DeBruyn, former intelligence officer; Development Advisor of UN-Habitat Presenting Partner: International
City Opera House stage: Jack Segal, and Edris Fana, an Afghan community Afghanistan. Affairs Forum
OCTOBER 7, 7PM • VIRTUAL EVENT the law would be assigned legal Guest Host
representation and put on trial. These KENDRA
days, as Roach discovers, the answers CARR
MARY ROACH are best found not in jurisprudence
but in science: the curious science of
Carr is the host
of Interlochen
“ROACH’S BOOKS ARE human-wildlife conflict, a discipline at
Public Radio’s
BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN, and the crossroads of human behavior and
All Things
disturbingly funny…(her) wildlife biology.
Considered and Our
prose is a triumph.” When it comes to "problem" wildlife, Global Neighborhood. Carr grew up
~ Emily Rapp Black, Boston Globe Roach finds, humans are more often surrounded by the Manistee National
the problem—and the solution. Forest and the aisles of her parents’
Fascinating, witty, and humane, convenience store.
M ary Roach last
graced the
National Writers
Fuzz offers hope for compassionate
coexistence in our ever-expanding
human habitat.
A graduate of Cottey College and
Western Michigan University, she
started her career at an Oceana county
Series stage in June
Roach is the author of the New housing agency working in eviction
2017 when she
York Times bestsellers Stiff, Spook, prevention and re-housing. She then
joined us to discuss
Bonk, Gulp, Grunt, and Packing for transitioned to radio, first working for
Grunt: The Curious
Mars. Mary has written for National a top 40 radio station in Ludington
Science of Humans
Geographic, Wired, and The New before starting at IPR. She has
at War. Her next book
York Times Magazine, among others. performed on stages in West Michigan
is such a perfect continuation of that
investigation into the unpredictable She has been a guest editor for Best and Traverse City and enjoys reading at
discussion we couldn’t help but bring
world where wildlife and humans meet. American Science and Nature Writing, home with her boyfriend and cats.
her back to talk about Fuzz: When
a finalist for the Royal Society's Winton
Nature Breaks the Law.
What’s to be done about a jaywalking Prize, and a winner of the American GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY
Join us as "America’s funniest science moose? A bear caught breaking and Engineering Societies' journalism Literary Sponsor:
writer" (Peter Carlson, Washington entering? A murderous tree? Three award, in a category for which, let's be
Becky Thatcher Designs
Post), takes us on an irresistible hundred years ago, animals that broke honest, she was the sole entrant.
OCTOBER 14, 7PM • VIRTUAL EVENT* LOOK WHO'S BEEN HERE!
ANTHONY DOERR
“THIS IS A GLORY OF A BOOK.
Impossible to put down…
lifechanging… a masterpiece.”
~ Betsy Burton, The Kings TOM BROKAW ALICE WALKER MITCH ALBOM AARTI SHAHANI GREG ILES ANN PATCHETT
English Bookshop 2009 Temple Grandin Daniel Bergner Lynne Olson
Elmore Leonard Mitch Albom Marie Benedict
*This event includes a ticket Peter Leonard Benjamin Percy 2017 Daniel Pink
to the virtual event and a Michael Paterniti John Donvan Bryan Gruley
2010 Jamie Ford Beth Macy Steve Hamilton
hardcover copy of Cloud
Amy Alkon David Finkel Gordon Korman Douglas Brinkley
Cuckoo Land ($32 total). Rhoda Janzen Nikki Giovanni Greg Iles Tanya Anne Crosby
F
Tom Brokaw Sara Paretsky Eric Fair Karl Marlantes
rom Anthony Doerr, the Thomas Lynch Elizabeth Strout David Maraniss
Pulitzer Prize–winning Mary Karr 2014 Andrea Petersen Aarti Shahani
author of All the Light We Audrey Niffenegger Kelly Corrigan Mary Roach Randall Sullivan
Cannot See, perhaps the most Mario Batali George Packer Julia Glass Susan Orlean
bestselling and beloved literary fiction James Bradley Steve Luxenberg W. Bruce Cameron Mitch Albom
Peter Matthiessen Anchee Min Doug Stanton
of our time, comes Doerr’s highly
Karl Marlantes Emily Giffin Alice Waters 2020
anticipated followup novel: Cloud Daniel James Brown Terry McDonell Nicholas Kristof
Cuckoo Land. O. Henry Prizes, the Rome Prize, the
2011 Karin Slaughter Dan Gerber Sheryl Wudunn
New York Public Library’s Young Lions
Janet Leahy / Greg Holmes/ Murray Howe Steve Luxenberg
Set in Constantinople in the fifteenth Award, the National Magazine Award Lisa Albert Katherine Roth Sebastian Junger Peter Heller
century, in a small town in present- for fiction, a Guggenheim Fellowship, Sara Brokaw Diana Gabaldon Phil Caputo Terry McMillan
day Idaho, and on an interstellar and the Story Prize. Mitch Albom A.J. Baime/ Scott Turow
ship decades from now, Doerr’s Paula McLain Bryce Hoffman 2018 Elaine Weiss
gorgeous third novel is a triumph All the Light We Cannot See was a #1 Bonnie Jo Campbell/ Nancy Horan Doug Stanton Chasten Buttigieg
Jack Driscoll/ Sophie Kinsella Peter Heller Ruth Ware
of imagination and compassion, a New York Times bestseller, remained
Michael Zadoorian Rita Mae Brown Nikki Giovanni Yaa Gyasi
soaring story about children on the on the Bestseller List for over 200 Roy Blount, Jr. Brian Castner Peter Brown Kate Walberg
cusp of adulthood in worlds in peril, weeks, and is being adapted as a Sebastian Junger Brian Turner Anna Quindlen Jordan Blashek
who find resilience, hope—and a limited series by Netflix. Richard Ford Drew Philp Christopher Haugh
book. In Cloud Cuckoo Land, Doerr Elmore Leonard 2015 Eileen McNamara Alice Hoffman
has created a magnificent tapestry Guest Host Daniel Silva Tess Gerritsen Samantha Irby Bob Giles
of times and places that reflects our LYSLEY Gretchen Holt Witt Garth Stein David Grann Larissa FastHorse
TENORIO Tom Perrotta Debbie Macomber Richard Russo Albert Woodfox
vast interconnectedness—with other Jeffrey Eugenides Jeff Shaara Adriana Trigiani
species, with each other, with those Tenorio is
David Sedaris Harlan Coben Annie Spence 2021
who lived before us, and with those the author of Chuck Klosterman Hampton Sides Beth Macy Dwight Garner
who will be here after we’re gone. the novel The Mardi Link Mona Hanna-Attisha Alan Lightman
Son of Good 2012 Vanessa Diffenbaugh Joe Hill Martha Teichner
Doerr’s dazzling imagination Fortune and the story Vince Gilligan Ben Sidran Amy Goldstein Diane Rehm
transports us to worlds so dramatic collection Monstress, which was Jodi Picoult Bonnie Jo Campbell Tayari Jones Imbolo Mbue
and immersive that we forget, for Geraldine Brooks Paula McLain Alice Walker Shelley Pearsall
named a book of the year by the
Michael Sandel Sarah Chayes Richard Clarke Karla Cornejo
a time, our own. Dedicated to “the San Francisco Chronicle. He is the Anna Quindlen Susan Casey John U. Bacon Villavicencio
librarians then, now, and in the years recipient of a National Endowment Susan Casey John U. Bacon Chris Bohjalian
to come,” Cloud Cuckoo Land is a for the Arts fellowship, a Whiting Natalie Bakapoulos 2019 Rochelle Riley
beautiful and redemptive novel about Award, a Stegner fellowship, the Janet Evanovich 2016 Jen Sincero Mary Doria Russell
stewardship—of the book, of the Earth, Edmund White Award, and the Rome Lee Child James Rollins Tommy Tomlinosn Robin Wall Kimmerer
of the human heart. Prize from the American Academy Maggie Stiefvater James Tobin Keith Gave Emily Henry
Ayaan Hirsi Ali Tui Sutherland Grace Lin Dax-Devlon Ross
of Arts and Letters. Born in the
Doerr is the author of All the Light We Benjamin Busch Laurie R. King Lisa Scottoline Megan Miranda
Philippines, he lives in San Francisco, Michael Connelly Brian Castner Elizabeth Berg Susie Yang
Cannot See, winner of the Pulitzer Prize,
and is a professor at Saint Mary’s David Ebershoff Elizabeth Letts John U. Bacon
the Carnegie Medal, the Alex Award,
College of California. 2013 Lucy Kalanithi
and a #1 New York Times bestseller. He Chip Johannessen Jim and Lynn Kouf
is also the author of the story collections Buzz Bissinger Paola Gianturco YOU WON"T BELIEVE WHO'S
GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY COMING NEXT!
Memory Wall and The Shell Collector, Blaine Harden David Maraniss
the novel About Grace, and the memoir
Event Sponsor: A Generous Gillian Flynn Margaret Atwood For a complete list of guests and
Four Seasons in Rome. He has won five Friend of NWS Nathaniel Philbrick Ann Patchett guest hosts visit:
Jason Matthews Jodi Picoult NationalWritersSeries.org
Colum McCann Kyle Mills
OCTOBER 18, 7PM • Watch Party at City Opera House* OCTOBER 28, 7PM • VIRTUAL EVENT
ALEX JOSHUA
MICHAELIDES PRAGER
“A DELICIOUSLY DARK, “A NUANCED, DEEPLY
ELEGANT, utterly compulsive REPORTED portrait of Norma
read with a twist that blew
McCorvey, known to most
my mind.”
Americans as Jane Roe.”
~ Lucy Foley, author of The Guest List
~ The New York Times Book Review
D
*Alex will join us
virtually on the big espite her famous
screen at COH, pseudonym,
interviewed by “Jane Roe,” no
Beth in front of a one knows the
live audience. truth about
Norma McCorvey
F rom the author of
the breakout global
bestseller The Silent Patient comes
(1947–2017), whose
unwanted pregnancy
in 1969 opened a great Prager found those women, including
the highly-anticipated second thriller Cyprus. He has an M.A. in English fracture in American life. Journalist
Literature from Trinity College, the youngest—Baby Roe—now fifty years
from Alex Michaelides: The Maidens. Joshua Prager spent hundreds
Cambridge University, and an M.A. old. She shares her story in The Family
of hours with Norma, discovered
Edward Fosca is a murderer. Of in Screenwriting from the American Roe for the first time, from her tortured
her personal papers—a previously
this Mariana is certain. But Fosca Film Institute in Los Angeles. The interactions with her birth mother, to
unseen trove—and witnessed her
is untouchable. A handsome and Silent Patient was his first novel. It her emotional first meeting with her
final moments. The Family Roe
charismatic Greek tragedy professor spent more than a year on the New sisters, to the burden that was uniquely
presents her life in full. Propelled by
at Cambridge University, Fosca is York Times bestseller list and sold in hers from conception.
the crosscurrents of sex and religion,
adored by staff and students alike— a record-breaking fifty countries. He gender and class, it is a life that tells An epic work spanning fifty years of
particularly by the members of a lives in London. the story of abortion in America. American history, The Family Roe will
secret society of female students
known as The Maidens. Guest Host change the way you think about our
Drawing on a decade of research,
BETH enduring American divide: the right
Mariana Andros is a brilliant but Prager reveals the woman behind the
MILLIGAN to choose or the right to life.
troubled group therapist who pseudonym, writing in novelistic detail
Milligan is a
becomes fixated on The Maidens of her unknown life from her time as Guest Host To Be Determined
journalist and
when one member, a friend of a sex worker in Dallas, to her private
head writer for
Mariana’s niece Zoe, is found thoughts on family and abortion, to her
the Traverse City GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY
murdered in Cambridge. Mariana, dealings with feminist and Christian
Ticker, an online Event Sponsor: A Generous
who was once herself a student at leaders, to the three daughters she
daily news outlet in Traverse City. Friend of NWS
the university, becomes convinced placed for adoption.
She recently served as marketing
that, despite his alibi, Edward Fosca
chair on the board of directors
is guilty of the murder. When another
for LGBTQ+ advocacy group Up
body is found, Mariana is determined
to stop this killer, even if it costs her
North Pride and has worked in “ THIS FOUNDATION
marketing and PR roles for numerous
everything—including her own life.
community organizations. Beth IS FANTASTIC.
currently co-hosts a podcast called
The New York Times calls The
Breaking the Surface that is part
What you’re supporting
Maidens “irresistible” and The
Guardian calls it “intelligent and of the Boardman Review Podcast here is the future of
propulsive … ” while Newsweek Collective and is dedicated to our children, and it’s
thoughtful deep-dive discussions on
raved that The Maidens “permanently
politics, pop culture, philosophy, and important work.”
cements [Michaelides] as a top
modern author with this new work, a current events.
~ MITCH ALBOM, Tuesdays
masterful, slow burn blend of Greek
mythology and a knife-edged plot." GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY with Morrie; Finding Chika
Event Sponsor: Amical
Michaelides was born and raised in
shows you why we feel how we feel, received a Newbery Honor, a Printz
NOVEMBER 4, 7PM • VIRTUAL EVENT* and why the poison of racism lingers. Honor, and a Coretta Scott King Honor.
It also proves that while racist ideas He lives in Washington, DC.
JASON have always been easy to fabricate and
distribute, they can also be discredited. Guest Host
REYNOLDS Through a gripping, fast-paced,
ROCHELLE
RILEY
and energizing narrative written by Riley is the Director
“THE MUST-READ BOOK of the beloved award-winner Jason Reynolds, of Arts and Culture
moment...potent and provocative.” this book shines a light on the many for the City of
~ San Francisco Chronicle insidious forms of racist ideas—and on Detroit. She spent
ways readers can identify and stamp nearly 25 years as an award-winning
*This event includes a ticket to the out racist thoughts in their daily lives. Detroit Free Press columnist before
virtual event and a copy of the book leaving to serve the City of Detroit. She
Jason Reynolds is a #1 New York Times is the author of five books, including
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
bestselling author, a two-time National The Burden: African Americans and the
(total of $21).
Book Award finalist, a Kirkus Award Enduring Impact of Slavery and That
W hen it comes winner, a Carnegie Medal winner, a They Lived: African Americans Who
to race, the two-time Walter Dean Myers Award Changed the World.
conversation starts winner, an NAACP Image Award
at home. Jason Winner, and the recipient of multiple
Reynolds, the Coretta Scott King honors. GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY
2020–2021 National Event Sponsors: Grand
His many books include All American Traverse Regional Community
Ambassador for
Dr. Ibram X. Kendi’s National Book Boys (cowritten with Brendan Kiely),
Young People’s Literature, Foundation; Traverse Area
Award-winning Stamped from the When I Was the Greatest, The Boy in
is bringing the conversation to all of District Library
Beginning reveals the history of racist the Black Suit, Stamped, As Brave as
us in northern Michigan with a special Community Partner: Northern
ideas in America, and inspires hope You, For Every One, the Track series
virtual event. Michigan E3
for an antiracist future. It takes you (Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and Lu), Look
This remarkable reimagining of on a race journey from then to now, Both Ways, and Long Way Down, which
by Vänna, a teenage girl, who, despite Prize, and has been nominated for more
NOVEMBER 18, 7PM • VIRTUAL EVENT being native to the island, experiences than ten other awards. It was listed as
her own sense of homelessness among one of the best books of the year by The
people she has come to disdain. New York Times, The Washington Post,
OMAR EL AKKAD Though Vänna and Amir are complete
strangers, and don’t speak a common
GQ, NPR, and Esquire, and was selected
by the BBC as one of 100 Novels That
“SEARING, LYRICAL… A language, Vänna is determined to do Shaped Our World.
BEGUILING parable of whatever it takes to save the boy.
dispossessed peoples and the Guest Host
burning desire for HOME.” What Strange Paradise is the story of NARGIS HAKIM
~ Oprah Daily two children finding their way through RAHMAN
a hostile world. But it is also a story of Nargis is an award-
F
empathy and indifference, of hope and winning Bangladeshi
rom Omar El Akkad, the
despair—and about the way each of American Muslim
widely acclaimed,
those things can blind us to reality. writer. She works as a
best-selling author of
American War, comes reporter at WDET 101.9 FM. Rahman
Omar El Akkad is an author and a
What Strange Paradise: graduated from Wayne State University,
journalist. He has reported from
a beautifully written, where she was a part of the Journalism
Afghanistan, Guantánamo Bay, and
unrelentingly dramatic, Institute of Media Diversity. She is
many other locations around the world.
and profoundly moving passionate about community journalism
His work earned Canada’s National
new novel that looks at the in the Greater Detroit area. She hopes to
Newspaper Award for Investigative
global refugee crisis through the eyes give American Muslims and minorities a
Journalism and the Goff Penny Award
of a child. voice in the press.
for young journalists.
More bodies have washed up on His debut novel, American War, is an GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY
the shores of a small island. Another Palestinians, all of them desperate to international bestseller, translated into
overfilled, ill-equipped, dilapidated escape untenable lives back in their
Literary Sponsor:
thirteen languages. It won the Pacific
ship has sunk under the weight of homelands. Miraculously, someone has Northwest Booksellers Association
Oryana Community Co-op
its too many passengers: Syrians, survived the passage: nine-year-old Award, the Oregon Book Award for Presenting Partner:
Ethiopians, Egyptians, Lebanese, Amir, a Syrian boy who is soon rescued fiction, and the Kobo Emerging Writer International Affairs Forum
be missed.” It’s also set to be adapted of Chippewa Indians, is a storyteller
DECEMBER 9, 7PM • Live at the City Opera House for Netflix by Higher Grounds, the who writes about her Ojibwe
production company run by Barack community in Michigan's Upper
ANGELINE and Michelle Obama. Peninsula. She is a former Director
of the Office of Indian Education at
BOULLEY As a biracial, unenrolled tribal
member and the product of a
the U.S. Department of Education.
Angeline lives in southwest Michigan,
scandal, Daunis Fontaine has never but her home will always be on Sugar
“INTRICATE AND MOVING. quite fit in—both in her hometown and Island. Firekeeper's Daughter is her
Boulley takes the reader on an on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. debut novel.
incredible journey.” When her family is struck by tragedy,
~ Tochi Onyebuchi, Daunis puts her dreams on hold to Guest Host
award-winning author care for her fragile mother. The only HOLLY T. BIRD
bright spot is meeting Jamie, the Holly is the Co-
W
charming new recruit on her brother’s Executive Director
e’re closing our
hockey team. of Title Track, a
fall season in
a big way, with an nonprofit with focus
After Daunis witnesses a shocking
appearance from on engaging creative
murder that thrusts her into a criminal
perhaps the break- practice to build resilient social-
investigation, she agrees to go
out Michigan author ecological systems that support
undercover. But the deceptions—and
of the decade: clean water, racial equity, and youth
deaths—keep piling up and soon
Angeline Boulley. empowerment.
the threat strikes too close to home.
How far will she go to protect her
Boulley’s stunning debut novel, community if it means tearing apart
Firekeeper’s Daughter—a book that the only world she’s ever known? GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY
took her a decade to write—was called the book “[an] absolute Event Sponsor:
an instant bestseller when it was powerhouse of a debut” and Booklist Angeline Boulley, an enrolled Dr. Sara Bergsma Orthodontics
released in March of this year. NPR calls it “an incredible thriller, not to member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe
National Writers Series Summer Gala - 2021
T his year the 7th Annual NWS Summer Gala
sponsored by West Shore Bank was held at
Aurora Cellars. A beautiful vineyard and winery and
the perfect venue for this year's outdoor gathering.
Some 100 generous guests enjoyed a lovely after-
noon filled with delicious food, amazing music by
the Plumville Project, inspiring words, and of course, Sue & Jon Kinne Sid & Stephanie Van Slyke
excellent wine. Our featured guest, John U. Bacon
delighted us all with a conversation about his newest
book Let Them Lead.
Author John U. Bacon
Pam Horne & Anne Montgomery Mary & Ward Gillett Jody Trietch & Dana Cowell Jillian & Craig Manning and Doug & Anne Stanton
THANK
TomorrowYOU! WE COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU
is full of possibility
Call Heidi today for a personal visit.
SUSTAINING SPONSOR FALL SEASON SPONSOR ARTS BENEFACTOR SPONSOR
www.CordiaTC.com
231-714-6554
cordiatc.com westshorebank.com nwmiarts.org
GRANTORS MEDIA SPONSORS SUPPORTING SPONSORS
This activity is supported in part by an
award from the MICHIGAN COUNCIL FOR
ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS, MICHIGAN
TC’s Complete Printing Solution Team
HUMANITIES COUNCIL and the NATIONAL
ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS.
EVENT AND LITERARY SPONSORS • COMMUNITY PARTNERS
PAM HOUSTON MARY ROACH ANTHONY DOERR ALEX MICHAELIDES
Event Sponsor: Literary Sponsor: Literary Sponsor: Event Sponsor:
A Generous
Friend of NWS
Community Partners: JASON REYNOLDS OMAR EL AKKAD ANGELINE BOULLEY
Event Sponsors: Literary Sponsor: Event Sponsor:
Presenting Partner:
Community
Partner:
THANK YOU! WE COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU
SPECIAL THANKS Bob & Marcy Branski Eric Blackhurst Jami Moore Mary Benedetto Carol & Keith Hartwell Sharon & Patrick Oriel
to our Summer Clark & Karen Bunting Alfred & Joan Bonney John Moore Judith Bosma Agnes Hayden Barbara Papazian
Gala Hosts Leith & Gloria Butler Linda Butka & Bryan Olshove Benson & Bette Munger Julie Botsford Cynthia Hayes Nancy Parshall
2021 Tom & Pam Caldwell Dick & Sue Campbell David Murphy & Trish Brauninger Teri Hedrich & Alfred Stachel Robert & Diane Parsons
West Shore Bank Joyce Hennessee
Martha Campbell Jennifer & Stan Carroll Suzanne Peters Arlene Brodsky Mary Peters
Aurora Cellars
Bob & Suzy Cline Molly Cline Susan Nehra Connie Bruski Sharon & George Hermach Doris Pierson
2020 Susan & Al Cogswell Camille Colatosti Mary Oosterhouse Gerilyn Burden Debra & William Hershey Nancy Potter
Virtual Gala with
Susan Goldberg Bill & Paula Cordes Steve & Sheri Constantin Grant & Paulette Parsons Kenneth Burger & Jean Ashby Renae Hesselink Anne Marie Raftshol &
editor National Debra Edson Jeanne Corey & Paul Vezina Cheri Pero Susan & Charles Cady Marguerite Hickman Michael Emery
Geographic
Renee & Don Fedrigon James & Margaret Costello Tina Piotrowski Susan Cahn Michele Howard Etta Rajkovich
2019 Anonymous Casey & Dana Cowell Beedy Ritchie & Bruce Neiner Anonymous Karen Howie Megan Raphael
Mission Table
Restaurant with Steve & Ann Fisher Rebecca D'Agostino & Pug Rundio Cheryl Cardelli Cindy & LaVail Hull Bob & Kathryn Reidy
Hosts Terry & Karin Jacobson &
Wayne Lobdell Phyllis Foster David Faling Christine Schneider Vicki Carpenter & Phil Downs Alice Rhyner
Bob Giles Nancy Davy Marc & Tracy Schwimmer Sandra & Bill Cartwright Robert Seeman Paula Richardson
2018
Olivia & Marty Carol & Bob Goff Chris Dennos Jack Segal & Karen Puschel Judith Case Paul & Laura Jacobson Yasmin Richmond &
Lagina C. Joanne Grabinski Mike & Tekla Dettmer Patricia Sharpnack Rita Cheyne Deyar Jamil Ruth Hoppe
2017 Jeanne & Michael Haynes Nancy Duke Sarah Shoemaker Luba Childs Deborah Johnson Bernard & Kathryn Riker
Dana & Casey
Cowell Gail & Robert Hetler Michael & Brenda Earl Alton & Kathy Smith Valerie Church-McHugh Sue & Charles Judson Michael Rodenberg
Chip & Shirley Hoagland Bob Eichenlaub & Becky Bill Smith & Donna Weitz Jill & Richard Claybour Gail & Kevin Juett Mary Rodewig
2016
Brenda & Ross James & Diana Huckle Ewing Bonnie Smith Bob & Cindy Clement Gloria Katz Jon & Elizabeth Roth
Biederman
Susie & Bill Janis
Michael & Joanie Jackson Richard & Lin Foa Isiah & Marlene Smith Corine Cochran Jamie & Paula Kemler Bill & Madelyn Ryan
Susie & Bob Kuras Bill & Susie Janis Sallie Foley Gretchen & Bill Soutear Lane Corbin Rosie & Tom Kern Jean Sarasin
Diana & Richard
Milock
Paul & Carol La Porte Dina Foster Bonnie Stanton Karen Courson Susan & Jeff Kessler Sara Satkowiak
Rorie Lewis Christopher & Jennifer Doug & Anne Stanton Therese Cousins David Kirby & Martha Topol JR Seeger
2015
Anne & Robert Wayne & Terry Lobdell Gerling Kathleen Steeves Elodie Crawford Jane Kirschke Donald Seman
Tucker Janice & Michael London Steve & Pam Grace David & Karin Summers Barbara & Hugh Culton Kathleen Kovas Sandy Seppala Gyr
Kathy Magliochetti Brad Graft Louise Taylor Beverly Cuthbert Mary Kropp Heather Shaw
John & Mary Melvin Grand Traverse Pie Company Roberta Teahen Barbara Dancer Karen Kuehlhorn Susan Shimmons
FOUNDERS CIRCLE
Richard & Diana Milock Jerrold Gretzinger & June Thaden Shannon DeBruyn Susan Labelle Jackie & Seamus Shinners
$10,000/year for 3 years
Anne Montgomery Meg Staley Susan Thomas Nancy & Dave Denison Kathleen Lagerquist Charlotte Slater
Brenda & Ross Biederman
Dawn & Kean Oh Jep & Mary Gruman Ron & Liz Tousain Gail Drayton Deb Lake Ed Smith & Mary Raz Smith
Aubrey Adelle Bliss
Linda & Max Proffitt Adam Hammer Mary Kay Trippe Sally & Donald Dunlop Suzanne Landes Barb Solomonson & Jan
Rota & David Bump
Peter & Chris Romeo Sara Harding Dennis & Kathy Turner Sally & John Ellinger Jack Lane Doran
Dana & Casey Cowell
Paul Schmuckal & Marie & Doug Holem Doug Verellen Mark Elliott & Gail Lanphear Tom Streasick
Cameron & Dan Farley
Catherine Radu Pam & Steve Horne Jill & Tim Vollbrecht Heather Kingham Lynn Larson & Paul Christ Terrie Taylor
Susie & Bill Janis
Jeanne & Jack Snow Jean & William Howard Ben & Erin Whiting Lee Ann Elston Maryln & Gordon Lawrence The 40 year Old Book Club
Diana & Richard Milock
Vicki Stanton Bette Jackson Larry & Patricia Widmayer Gary Faria & Patricia Mallon Michael Lehnert & Joanne Thomas
Jon & Marissa Wege
Barbara Stark-Nemon Lola Jackson & Bonnie Willings Linda Farrell Denise Pelt Dorothy Thompson
Gifts donated in the last Sera & Rick Thompson Dilys Tosteson Garcia Ken Winter Ellen Flegenheimer-Riggle Jeanne Lewellen Sara Thompson
12 months: Stephen Tomlinson & Jill & Jerome Jelinek Alice Wolfe Jillian Foerster Dency Lippert Jocelyn Trepte
Pam Fletcher Ruthanne Kladder Mike & Mary Forness Laurie & Dan Lisuk Kathy Tuckerman
BESTSELLER LIST Kent & Nancy Walton George Kleiber & Diane QUILL DONORS Julia Freiburger Eleanor Lynn Sandra Umstead
$5,000 - $10,000 West Shore Bank Dabich $101 - $249 Belinda Friis Laurie & Paul Madison Norm Veliquette
Dan Edson Karen & Jack Williams Sharon & Jerry Knoppow Carol Adler Susan Fritz Theda Marinelli Liz VerSchure
Cameron & Dan Farley Angie & Ed Witkowski Judith & Charles Kraus Peter & Bernadette Albers Rondi & Carlton Fry Susan McGarry Karen Viskochil
Ward & Mary Gillett Suzanne & Jim Lamond Elaine Aldrete Tim Garvey Catherine McMahon Pam Vredevoogd
Jon & Sue Kinne PULITZER DONORS Mary Landry Paul & Judy Arnold Lisa Genesen & David Tabolt Ann McPhail Candice & Dick Wallace
Anonymous $250 - $999 Harold & Pamela Lassers Josephine Arrowood-Ross Andrew & Jo Anne Gerben Lizbeth Messing Mary Kay Walsh
Robert & Anne Tucker Charlene Abernethy Mark & Karen Lundmark Marilyn & Walter Baird Judy & Don Goodrich Susan Michener Christine & Richard Walter
Janet Wolf Nathanael Adamson Gladys & Tom Maguire Judy & Bruce Balas Helen Grove & Jayne Mohr & Calvin Karr Janet Ward
Alison Arthur Terence Malone Diana & Jeff Baribeau Theodore Wagenaar Cindy & James Monroe Jane & Price Watts
NATIONAL BOOK AWARD Jeanne Ascione Larry Mawby & Lois Bahle Michaeline Barnhart Harry & Joan Gurthet Scott & Kathy Monteith Cindy & Doug Weaver
$1,000 - $4,999 Laura Asiala Meredith McComb Linda Barry Elizabeth Hakola Donna Moore Judith & Kennard Weaver
Sam Abood Stephen Bahlke William & Joan McCool Deena Barshney Michael & Mary Haley Richard & Jami Moore Dale & Tracey Westerman
Lorraine & Mack Beers Thomas Barnes Jay & Sue Meldrum Polly Basile Marietta Hamady Candace Morse Marsha Wheaton
Sara & Eric Bergsma Arleta Bernson Paula Menees Patricia Bauer Sondra Hardy Bonnie Nescot & Timothy Barr Joan Williams
Richard & Susan Bingham Ross & Brenda Biederman Betsy Moore & Jay Wood Pat Bazley Marcia & Jim Harris Carolyn Nightingale Betsy & Richard WilsonTHANK YOU! WE COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU
Gary & Jean Wolf Terry Carrithers Janet Garvey Tim Keenan George & Eleanor Miller Bob Robbins Evy Sussman
Jesse & Molly Wolff Janice & Peter Chambers Lezlie Garvin Deborah Keller-Cohen Peggy Miller Michael & Libby Robold Sue Swain
Jeffrey & Michelle Wonacott Ross Childs Andrew & Jo Anne Gerben Donna Kelly Jim Milligan Jane Rodgers Sara & David Taft
Valerie Wright Beverly Christensen Deborah & Robert Gilbert Kathy & Clifford Kelto Megan Miranda Craig Ryan Jim Tambling
Colleen & Mick Zanotti Dorothy & Robert Clore David Giles Linda Kemper Guy Molnar & Fred Sang Michael & Terry Tarnow
Ellen Zienert Marylou & Don Coe Juliana Gill Sue Kensington Matt McCormick Ed & Amy Schindler Rachel Taylor
Jan & Daniel Zolik Cathy Colburn Richard Glosenger Andrea Ketchum Mary Beth & Hugh Morrison Karen Schmidt Barbara & Jim Tessmer
Barbara & Thomas Cole Claudia Glynn Diana Ketola Margaret Morse Lucy Schoener Lisa Thauvette &
FRIENDS Beth Colton Sally Grady Karin Killian Linda & Chuck Mueller Ann Schwandt Brian Thelen
$50 - $99 Joseph & Deborah Conklin Christine & Michael Gravlin Sandra Kilmer William & Cathleen Murgan Elaine & Tony Semanik William Thauvette
Joanie Abbott Elizabeth Connelly Kathryn Gray Robert & Karen Kingon Kathrn Myers Laura Seymore Mary Treadway
Glen Ackerman Pat Conzelman Michael Greer Valerie Kirn-Duensing Cheryl & Richard Naperala Angela Sheets Gail Trill
Cathy Alterio Judy Cooper Kay Gugala Missy Knebel Donna & Gary Nelson Karla Sherman Mary & John Tris
David & Jacqueline Amos Susan Coppa Pat Haber Leijhi Koval Timothy Nelson & Barb Skurdall Bethany Uhl
Peggy Anderson & Ed Hargis Kathy Cornillie Douglas Haberland Connie Krusniak Nancy Johnson Laura Slaughter Elizabeth & Beau Vallance
Catherine Anthony Nancy Cotcamp Victoria Haehl Amy Kust Network for Good Nancy Sloan Catherine Valovick
Joan Antle Michelle Courval & George Juliet Hafford Alison & Steve Lang Amy Newberg Ann & Mark Smith Howard & Trish Van Houten
Julie Avery Kinney Carolyn Hahne Gail Lange Robert Nichols Barbara Smith Sid Van Slyke
Barbara & Joseph Backus Saundra & Jack Crandall Gloria Halligan Nancy Leas Ann Norman Susan & Terry Smith Kathy Vance
Christie & John Bacon Donald Dahlstrom Alice Hansen Marty & Dave Leavenworth Agnes Ochs William & Mary Smith Roberta Vanderbreggen
Sharon Bacon Peter Damm Perry Harmon & Candace Lee Kathleen Oconnell Linda Smith Bell Paula Ward
Mary Bader Carol & Peter Danly Kristen Elliott Marcia Lee Donna Olendorf Sue & Jon Snow Jan Warren
Diane & Michael Bair Betsy Davidson Judith Harnish Margaret Littin Lisa Oleson Gordy & Julie Sovereign Jane Warriner
Ellen & Thomas Baird Catherine Davidson Alan Hartwick Jean & Don Livingston Marjorie Oliver Linda & Chad Spawr Carolyn Washburn
Judy Battle Caroline DeGraaf James Haslinger Carol Long Anne Marie & David Oomen Susan St. Pierre Juanita & Noel Watson
Jan Bauer Kathryn Den Houter Lisa Hawkins Cathy Look Linda Pannuto Rita & William Stanton David Watt
Steven Baumgartner John DeSpelder Neil Hawkins Christopher Loud Cynthia & Scott Paradise Paul & Leslie Starsoneck Patricia Weber
Becky Beach Tom & Audrey DeVault Jane Hayes Joanne Lucas-Lachney Michel Pasquier Jane Stauffer Norman & Mimi Wheeler
Jeff & Terry Beamsley Michael & Annie DeVries Thomas Hazelton & Nancy Ludwa Peter & Sarah Payette Linda Stephan Joe & Glenda Wierzbicki
Danielle Beauvais Maureen & Doug DeYoung Cynthia Brzak Eleanor Luedtke Nate Payne Ann Stephens Kathleen Wight
Carole & Dennis Becker Linda Diekman Jelan Heidelberg Rick & Karen Luther Judith & Bob Pelto Jill Stiltner Elizabeth Williams
Jane Becker Carole Dills Ann Hemming Gregory & Stephanie Luyt Linda Perry Ruth & Bob Stow Ruth Winter & Tom Thibault
Katherine Belanger Deborah Disch Mike & Sharon Herron Patricia Mack Kathleen Peterson Donna Stowe Don Wolman
Trine Bennett Diane Donley Emunah Herzog Stewart MacLeod Nancy Peterson Deborah Strand Judith Wurges
Alan Bersin Connie Donovan Walter Hoegy Kara Madion John Pfluecke Stephanie Strolle Pam Yee
Tom Beukema Stephen & Carola Drosdeck John Hoffmann Kathleen Maine Mary Pickett Mary Strong Olga Yiparaki
Ulrich & Janice Binkert Linda Dunigan Meegan Holland Denny & Debra Malone Ellen Piligian Joan Sullivan Mary lou Zaloudek
Ann Bird Mary Jo Durivage Susan & Michael Hornby Kevin & Susan Malone Ellen Pisor Ryan Sullivan
Linda & Mike Birtles Celia Ebert Brian & Vicki Howard Agnes Maloney Ann & Tom Post
Bette Bos Karen Eckhardt Rebecca Howey Scott Mandel Richard Priehs
Margaret Bossenbery Ronda Edwards-Barth Barbara Ide Jillian & Craig Manning Jane Purkis
Kerry Boyd Barbara Eschner Susan & Bruce Idema Karen Manthei Celeste Rabaut A complete list of NWS
Eric & Julia Braverman Mary Fairgrieve Kay & David Ingraham Marty Mater Kristen Rabe SUPPORTERS can be found
Ralph & Lori Brickman Margaret Fako & Michael Cynthia Ivy Teresa Mathews Beth Raddatz
Paul & Amanda Brink on the NWS website:
Slawnik John & Kathleen Jahoda Bonnie Mathias Amy & William Ranger
Jim & Candy Brody Deb & Neal Fellows Patricia Janizek Sue & Gregg McDonald Joan Rasmussen & NationalWritersSeries.org
Dick & Sue Brovont James Ferro Joyce Jasinski Pat McGhan Morry Alter
Irene Brown Kevin Fitton Margo Jeanchild Nancy Mcguire Bill Rastetter & Cary Weed
Michael Brown Maureen Fletcher Karen Jennings Lynda McKinnon Jan Reed
THANK YOU!
Susan Brown Lisa Franseen Kallie Jensen Sherry McNamara Pamela Reed
Michael Budros Janis Frazee Betsy & Jay Johnson Mark & Catherine McPherson Judith Reich
Susan Burks
WE ARE SO
Jerry & Sherri Freels Susan Jones Kathy Mead Constance Reinhard
Rhonda Busch Beth Freeman Virginia Judge Jan & Dave Merrell Phyllis Relyea
Kelly & Robert Busley Jackie Fry Elisa Julien Judith Mesack Amanda Remai
GRATEFUL
Bob Butz & Nancy Flowers Charlie Gano Jill Karp Barbara Mick Maria Reynolds
Susan Buxton Martha Garber Annelle Kaspor & Carolyn Micklatcher Philip & Joan Richardson
Terry Carrithers Bob Garvey Joseph Jonika Chris & Donna Miller Sue RingA few of the NWS authors on Zoom from the summer season. Clockwise from top left are Robin Wall Kimmerer,
Dax-Devlon Ross, Megan Miranda, Susie Yang, and Emily Henry. You can watch these authors — and
more — on our YouTube Channel. Subscribe while you're there so you don't miss another one!
NATIONAL WRITERS SERIES
NationalWritersSeries.org
For more information about National Writers Series author events,
sponsorship opportunities, and partnerships please contact:
Jillian Manning, Executive Director
director@nwstc.orgYou can also read
