June 13, 2019

SVSU, Dow Library, Dow Home & Studio partner to bring Michigan authors to Midland for writing workshops, public readings

Saginaw Valley State University’s Center for Community Writing – in partnership with the Grace A. Dow Library and the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio – invites the public to a week-long series featuring critically acclaimed Michigan writers this July in Midland.

The Michigan Authors’ Workshop Series will showcase the talents of Michigan writers and support the writing of prospective authors in the region. Eight authors from the state will be in attendance to discuss and read their work, and many of these writers will be teaching community writing workshops for writers of all ages.

“Because one of the goals of the Center for Community Writing is to support writing across the Great Lakes Bay Region, we are excited to bring such a diverse group of gifted Michigan authors to the city of Midland to share their work and their talents with our larger community,” said Helen Raica-Klotz, the co-director of the Center for Community Writing at SVSU.

“And, of course, we feel fortunate to be able to collaborate with the library and the Home and Studio, as both organizations are such strong supporters of the arts and education.”

Among the authors involved in The Michigan Authors' Workshop Series are Newberry Book Award winner Gary Schmidt, author of “Orbiting Jupiter;” Jim Ottaviani, who wrote “The Imitation Game;” and Michael Zadoorian, author of “The Leisure Seeker,” now a film starring Helen Mirren.

Raica-Klotz encouraged community members to attend the keynote address featuring Anne-Marie Oomen, winner of multiple Michigan Notable Book Awards, along with the other evening readings and book signings held throughout the week. All these events are free and open to the public.

The writing workshops held during the week are designed for writers of various ages: Lynne Rae Perkins will be leading a drawing and writing workshop for fourth and fifth graders. Gary Schmidt will be leading a workshop for sixth through eighth graders. Patrick Flores Scott will be leading a workshop for high school students, and Mardi Link and Jack Ridl will be leading adult workshops in memoir and poetry writing.

“All of the writing workshops will focus on generating writing with professional writers who also have a reputation of being skilled and thoughtful teachers,” Raica-Klotz said.

These workshops cost between $10 to $25 per person. Detailed workshop descriptions, along with the online registration, are available at svsu.edu/ccw/miauthors.

The week's free activities – which include the keynote address, author readings and book signings – are as follows:

• Monday, July 22, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Central Auditorium, 305 East Reardon: Anne-Marie Oomen, author of "The Lake Michigan Mermaid," will provide a keynote address.
• Tuesday, July 23; 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Midland Center for the Arts Saints and Sinners Lounge, 1801 W. St. Andrews: Patrick Flores Scott and Gary Schmidt will present author readings and host book signings.
• Wednesday, July 24, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Midland Center for the Arts Saints and Sinners Lounge, 1801 W. St. Andrews: Mardi Link and Michael Zadoorian will present author readings and host book signings.
• Thursday, July 25, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Midland Center for the Arts Founders Room, 1801 W. St. Andrews: Jack Ridl and Jim Ottaviani will present author readings and host book signings.
• Friday, July 26, noon to 12:30 p.m. at the Grace A. Dow Library story room, 1710 W. St. Andrews: Lynne Rae Perkins will host a book signing.

For more information, contact Raica-Klotz at 989.964.6062.