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.
October 1, 1993 - On this Voices from the Heartland segment, Minnesota writer Laurie Allmann reads an essay on various experiences with bats.
October 1, 1993 - On this First Friday segment, MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews St. Paul book editor Pam Keesey about the publication Daughters of Darkness: Lesbian Vampire Tales. Keesey discusses sexuality and other elements in vampire lore.
October 2, 1993 - A reading of Louise Erdrich's meditation “The Veils," an essay on the literal and figurative symbols of veils for women.
October 7, 1993 - Midmorning’s Cathy Wurzer talks with Michael Fedo about his research on the history behind the lynching of three Black men by a Duluth mob on June 15th, 1920.
October 8, 1993 - Midmorning’s Cathy Wurzer talks with author Gary Paulsen and illustrator Ruth Wright Paulsen about their book, Dogteam. The book that captures the exhilarating experience of a nighttime dogsled run through a snowy landscape.
October 12, 1993 - MPR’s Euen Kerr talks with Native American poet Jamison Mahto about poetry and cultural misconceptions. Mahto reads “The Blue Apache” from his book, Blues For Franklin Avenue: A Collection of Poetry.
October 14, 1993 - MPR’s Perry Finelli interviews Minnesota author Earl Pike about his book, We Are All Living With AIDS: How You Can Set Politics and Guidelines for the Workplace. Pike details a pathway for employees and employers to address the disease in a work environment.
October 15, 1993 - Minnesota writer and ornithologist Laura Erickson talks about her book, For the Birds: An Uncommon Guide. Erickson reads a short essay from book.
October 15, 1993 - On this Voices from the Heartland segment, Minnesota author Barton Sutter shares his essay on Duluth's Park Point.
October 15, 1993 - A Voices from the Heartland Q&A with Duluth poet Barton Sutter. Feature includes Sutter reading of “Taconite Harbor,” and a discussion on his poetry collection, The Book of Names.