Trio House Press, publisher of A Northern Spring, recently located to Minneapolis under the leadership of new Executive Director, Kris Bigalk. This is my third book out on Trio House, and the press has felt like a family—like the perfect situation you hope you find with a publishing house. Kris organized a "THP in Minneapolis" reading/conversation at the Casket Arts building. As the name more than implies, it was originally a casket factory but has since been converted into a space for artists and arts-based businesses that now comprise the "Casket Arts Community." It's a gorgeous old building, wonderfully kept up.
I read with new pressmate Jen Manthey, whose poetry collection The Fight shares a pub date with my book on July 1. After Jen and I read a bit from our new books, we sat down in comfy chairs in the beautiful third-floor atrium and engaged in a great conversation moderated by poet Halee Kirkwood. This is the kind of forum that I'm finding is most suited to me being able to cover the ground I want to cover when presented A Northern Spring to a live audience. It allows me to cover a few basics up front and then to slip in further contextual information in as I respond to questions and engage with fellow writers and moderators. It feels like I can do so unhurried.
Northeast (commonly called "Nordeast" here) is a great part of Minneapolis. It's packed with small shops, restaurants, bars, local breweries, tax preparers, and more (and yes, I know I sound like an ad now), all part of a thriving arts and music scene. Down the road from Casket Arts is the local Indeed Brewing Company and Taproom. They make a great pilsner, which you can get regular-test or NA.
PHOTOS: Upper left, me reading from printed pages; upper right, seated from left to right and engaged in lively conversation are Halee Kirkwood, Jennifer Manthey, and me.
I read with new pressmate Jen Manthey, whose poetry collection The Fight shares a pub date with my book on July 1. After Jen and I read a bit from our new books, we sat down in comfy chairs in the beautiful third-floor atrium and engaged in a great conversation moderated by poet Halee Kirkwood. This is the kind of forum that I'm finding is most suited to me being able to cover the ground I want to cover when presented A Northern Spring to a live audience. It allows me to cover a few basics up front and then to slip in further contextual information in as I respond to questions and engage with fellow writers and moderators. It feels like I can do so unhurried.
Northeast (commonly called "Nordeast" here) is a great part of Minneapolis. It's packed with small shops, restaurants, bars, local breweries, tax preparers, and more (and yes, I know I sound like an ad now), all part of a thriving arts and music scene. Down the road from Casket Arts is the local Indeed Brewing Company and Taproom. They make a great pilsner, which you can get regular-test or NA.
PHOTOS: Upper left, me reading from printed pages; upper right, seated from left to right and engaged in lively conversation are Halee Kirkwood, Jennifer Manthey, and me.