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.
January 9, 1992 - Midday offers an interview with writers and poets Alex Pate, Elaine Shelly, and Marcia Davis. The three discuss the distinct nature of Black writing and read from their work.
January 11, 1992 - St. Paul writer Lawrence Sutin delivers his list of eight New Year's resolutions…some are tougher than others.
January 11, 1992 - MPR’s Jim Wishner interviews author Vicki Abrahamson about the book she co-authored with Wes Janz, entitled War of the Words: The Gulf War Quote by Quote. With the Gulf War, Abrahamson says the world is the theater in the round.
January 17, 1992 - Midmorning’s Paula Schroeder invites Laurie Allmann into the studio for a chat about owls. Segment includes owl sounds, followed by a poem.
January 17, 1992 - An interview with Michael Fedo about family, writing, and his book Chronicles of Aunt Hilma.
January 18, 1992 - MPR’s Jim Wishner interviews Karal Ann Marling, a scholar of American popular culture and art, about attempts to preserve Minneapolis Armory. Marling talks about “creative re-use.”
January 22, 1992 - MPR’s Paula Schroeder interviews member of Saint John's Hill Monastic Manuscript Library about the background and purpose of housing microfilm of medieval manuscripts at the monastic institution.
January 24, 1992 - Midmorning’s Paula Schroeder interviews writer and educator Patricia Weaver Francisco, who details the importance of using family experiences and dynamics in developing one’s writing.
January 24, 1992 - On this Voices of the Heartland, an essay on kids sports by Duluth writer Barton Sutter.
January 30, 1992 - LaVyrle Spencer, local Twin Cities romance writer, discusses the genre, expanding into family fiction, and book marketing.