This collection encompasses 50-plus years of interviews, readings, speeches, and reports on the vibrant literary scene in Minnesota. Not only home to giants F. Scott Fitzgerald and Sinclair Lewis, our state has an array of incredible contemporary poets, novelists, and playwrights. Their words make up majority of this collection.
Repeatedly being named the “Most Literate City in the United States,” the Twin Cities has played host to numerous visiting national writers via book tours, festivals, and lectures. Many recordings of these are also included.
This project was funded by the National Historical Publications & Records Commission.
February 12, 2007 - Ever thought about writing a memoir? Accomplished memoirists Patricia Hampl and Katherine Lanpher offered some advice in a forum at the Loft Literary Center.
February 12, 2007 - The art of the memoir. Ever thought about writing a memoir? Accomplished memoirists Patricia Hampl and Katherine Lanpher offered some advice in a forum at the Loft Literary Center.
February 14, 2007 - MPR’s Stephanie Hemphil profiles Joseph Kalar, a long-lost regional poet. Hemphill interviews Duluth poet Barton Sutter, who admires Kalar’s poetry; and poet Ted Genoways, who put together a collection of Kalar’s work, titled “Papermill.”
February 15, 2007 - "Dating your mom" and other stories from Ian Frazier. What if the lives of Daffy Duck and Porky Pig were subject to investigative reporting or if children's manners were written as Biblical law? Humorist Ian Frazier has an idea about how those might read. He's also been known to argue that men should consider dating their own mothers.Fitzgerald theater event.
March 9, 2007 - The male vocal ensemble Cantus and poet Robert Bly collaborate on a new series of poems set to music.
March 13, 2007 -
March 23, 2007 - MPR’s Stephanie Hemphill reports on poetry anthology of Minnesota women, going all the way back to pioneer days. The book is titled "To Sing Along the Way."
March 23, 2007 - A self-guided tour of the brain. A Minnesota writer considers his relationship with his mentally ill stepfather, and explores the way culture views the brain. Guest: Dennis Cass: Author of "Head Case: How I Almost Lost My Mind Trying to Understand My Brain."
March 28, 2007 - St. Paul native and baseball Hall-of-Famer Dave Winfield is worried about the current state of the national pasttime. In his new book "Dropping the Ball," Winfield proposes changes aimed at appealing to fans, increasing the numbers of African-American players, reducing steroid use and improving union-management relations.
March 28, 2007 - If you had to name the home the oldest literary presses in Minnesota, you'd probably say the Twin Cities. But to be correct, you'd also have to mention Duluth. It's home to Holy Cow! Press, which is celebrating its third decade.