BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//UPPAA - ECPv6.15.18//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:UPPAA X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.uppaa.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for UPPAA REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Detroit BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20240310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20241103T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251211T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251211T200000 DTSTAMP:20260404T044059 CREATED:20251208T004110Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251208T004110Z UID:10413-1765479600-1765483200@www.uppaa.org SUMMARY:UP Notable Book Club with Larry Jorgensen and the History of Snowmobiles DESCRIPTION:UP Notable Book Club presents a Q&A session about Make It Go In the Snow: People and Ideas in the History of Snowmobiles with Larry Jorgensen\nUP Notable Book Club: The Crystal Falls Community District Library in partnership with the U.P. Publishers & Authors Association (UPPAA) has scheduled author events with winners of the UP Notable Book List. The 53rd event features Larry Jorgensen\, author of Make it Go in the Snow: People and Ideas in the History of Snowmobiles. Through the years\, the challenge of powered transportation in the snow has been met with ideas from explorers\, creative inventors and small companies\, all with new ideas – often unique and sometimes successful. The name “snowmobile” was trademarked in 1917\, but there were snow travel ideas before that date and certainly thousands more since. As a pioneer in the field\, Larry brings us his unique perspective on people and their machines and some historic rides throughout the U.P. and even abroad.\nWhen: Thursday\, December 11\, 2025 at 7 pm Eastern / 6 pm Central\nWhere: on the Zoom platform — please contact Evelyn Gathu in advance at egathu@crystalfallslibrary.org\, or by phone at (906) 875-3344. We recommend you borrow a copy of these books from your local library or purchase them from your local bookseller in advance to get the most out of these events. \nLARRY JORGENSEN first became addicted to the sport and business of snowmobiling after buying his first sled\, an Arctic Cat\, in 1967. He purchased that Cat from the first Arctic Cat dealer in Green Bay\, a local shoe repair shop which had a total available inventory of two machines. Jorgensen was fortunate to become a riding member of the pioneer cross-country snowmobile group\, the Peninsula Pathfinders of Upper Michigan. He participated in the club’s first three long-distance rides\, including the 1970 trip across the giant Mackinac Bridge which connects lower Michigan to the Upper Peninsula. Although he owned the Arctic Cat\, he had been convinced to ride an Eskimo snowmobileand it may have been the only time an Eskimo sled crossed the Big Mac. \n“I will blend in this review of Make It Go In the Snow ideas and effects that I have come across in my general reading on surrealism among the modern French poets in order to capture the skill and overall effects in Jorgensen because I think his work is a fine addition to the detail and to the mood of talking about the culture of the UP. He does not tell his history in a systematic way with footnotes and large bibliography like an academic. Instead\, he uses many old photographs and rather rambles through his story in a leisurely way like a Parisian flâneur or gentleman expert on the feature of being a Yooper man of the North.  It reminds me of my own immersion when my wife and I began our discovery of the region; and even though it was usually summer \nI was fascinated with the exploration of the Antarctic\, of “Going South” across rough seas from New Zealand with the sad and heroic Captain Scott and his brave men and dogs. A news reporter for a TV station in Green Bay\, Jorgensen first became addicted to the sport and business of snowmobiling when he bought his first sled\, an Arctic Cat in 1967. Pictured at right is Admiral Byrd’s ill-fated Snow Cruiser trekking across the USA toward it’s launch from the east coast.”  — Mack Hassler\, UP Book Review \nMore information about the U.P. Notable Book list\, U.P. Book Review\, and UPPAA can be found on www.UPNotable.com \nAbout the Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association (UPPAA)\nEstablished in 1998 to support authors and publishers who live in or write about Michigan’s Upper Peninsula\, UPPAA is a Michigan nonprofit association with over 180 members\, many of whose books are featured on the organization’s website at www.uppaa.org. UPPAA welcomes membership and participation from anyone with a UP connection who is interested in writing. \n# # # URL:https://www.uppaa.org/event/up-notable-book-club-with-larry-jorgensen-and-the-history-of-snowmobiles/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:U.P. Notable Book Club ORGANIZER;CN="Evelyn Gathu":MAILTO:egathu@crystalfallslibrary.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260102T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260102T130000 DTSTAMP:20260404T044059 CREATED:20251208T003803Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251208T003803Z UID:10411-1767358800-1767358800@www.uppaa.org SUMMARY:UP Notable Books List 2026 Announced DESCRIPTION:Tune in to UPPAA.org as we announce the UP Notable Books List on January 2\, 2026 \n  URL:https://www.uppaa.org/event/up-notable-books-list-2026-announced/ CATEGORIES:U.P. Notable Book Club END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260110T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260110T140000 DTSTAMP:20260404T044059 CREATED:20260103T183036Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260103T183036Z UID:10464-1768046400-1768053600@www.uppaa.org SUMMARY:J.D. Austin at North Wind Books - Hancock DESCRIPTION:J.D. Austin of the 2024 U.P. Notable Book The Last Huck and a new story collection What You Find in the Woods will be appearing at North Wind Books on the former Finlandia campus from 12 – 2:00pm on Saturday January 10\, 2026. \n437 Quincy St\, Hancock\, MI 49930   *    https://shop.finlandiafoundation.org/pages/location-hours \n(906) 487-7217   *   shop@finlandiafoundation.org \n  URL:https://www.uppaa.org/event/j-d-austin-at-north-wind-books-hancock/ LOCATION:North Wind Books\, 437 Quincy Street\, Hancock\, 49930\, United States CATEGORIES:Author Appearance ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.uppaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/jack.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260115T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260115T200000 DTSTAMP:20260404T044059 CREATED:20251208T003514Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251208T003514Z UID:10409-1768503600-1768507200@www.uppaa.org SUMMARY:UPPAA Online Seminar Series – Ask the Book Coach: Q & A Session with Julie Covert DESCRIPTION:As an extension of UPPAA’s Online Seminar Series\, we are featuring an additional session “Ask the Book Coach: Q & A Session with Julie Covert” coming to Zoom on January 15\, 2026 at 7:00PM Eastern / 6:00PM Central time.\n\nAttendance is free of charge and preregistration is not required for UPPAA members to participate.  Others are welcome to participate if they contact Julie at the email address below. \nAsk the Book Coach: A Q & A Session \nWhat’s a book coach do?   \nGreat question! A book coach can help you form and test your book ideas\, create a solid structure\, help you get through tough spots\, and guide you to getting published. \n\nDo you have a book in the works\, but are stuck and have questions about how to proceed?\nHave a great idea\, but can’t seem to make the structure work?\nNot sure where to begin or how to end?\nWhose help do I need – an editor\, beta reader\, or book coach?\n\nDuring this Q & A session\, Julie Covert\, book coach and editor at H J Words\, will answer your questions about how you can benefit from working with a book coach. We’ll discuss these topics and more to get you excited and motivated to achieve your dream of turning your ideas from your notebooks into a publishable manuscript. \nQuestions can also be submitted in advance by email or phone shown below \nContact Julie at words@hjwords.com or at 906-430-5854. URL:https://www.uppaa.org/event/uppaa-online-seminar-series-ask-the-book-coach-q-a-session-with-julie-covert/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Seminar END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260117T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260117T150000 DTSTAMP:20260404T044100 CREATED:20251216T134123Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251216T134123Z UID:10424-1768654800-1768662000@www.uppaa.org SUMMARY:Telling the Hard Stuff: A Confessional Poetry Workshop with Ellen Lord DESCRIPTION:Telling the Hard Stuff: A Confessional Poetry Workshop with Ellen Lord\nWhen: Saturday\, January 17\, 2026\, 1:00 -3:00 PM\nWhere: at the Hessel School House  3206 W Cedar Street\, Hessel\, MI\, United States\, Michigan 49745 \nConfessional poetry asks us to speak the truths we often keep hidden. In this two‑hour workshop\, we’ll explore how vulnerability becomes art\, how the “hard stuff” transforms into language that resonates\, and how craft supports courage. Together\, we’ll create a safe\, supportive space to write the poems that demand to be written. This class includes an autographed copy of Ellen Lord’s latest book VIGIL. \nWhether you write poems on the page or songs for the stage\, this workshop welcomes artists who turn lived experience into works of written art. Poets and songwriters alike will find tools for shaping raw emotion into work that connects and endures. \nClass Fee: $40.00. Includes a signed copy of Ellen Lord’s latest book VIGIL.\nTo Register: Call 906-484-1333 or register online at HesselSchoolHouse.org\nFacebook event page \nABOUT THE PRESENTER:\nEllen Lord began writing as a kid\, first stirred to poetry by Edgar Allen Poe’s raven and various morbid nursery rhymes. She is inspired by forays in nature\, along with feasts and foibles of the human condition. She was raised in the wilds of the Upper Peninsula and often returns to her ancestral home. She is a behavioral health therapist\, specializing in addiction and trauma. \nNOTE: Scholarship discounts are available. Call 906-484-1333 for details if finances are impeding you from attending this workshop. A limited number of discount tickets are available for teens and low-income participants. URL:https://www.uppaa.org/event/telling-the-hard-stuff-a-confessional-poetry-workshop-with-ellen-lord/ LOCATION:Hessel School House\, 3206 W. Cedar Road\, Hesssel\, MI\, 49745\, United States CATEGORIES:U.P. Writers Symposium ORGANIZER;CN="Kristy Beyer":MAILTO:director@hesselschoolhouse.net END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260212T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260212T200000 DTSTAMP:20260404T044100 CREATED:20260204T172800Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260204T172800Z UID:10507-1770922800-1770926400@www.uppaa.org SUMMARY:Frederick Stonehouse – The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald DESCRIPTION:Join us on zoom for Frederick Stonehouse – The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald \nTo get Zoom invitations for each event\, please contact egathu@crystalfallslibrary.org or by phone (906) 875-3344 URL:https://www.uppaa.org/event/frederick-stonehouse-the-wreck-of-the-edmund-fitzgerald/ LOCATION:Zoom ORGANIZER;CN="Evelyn Gathu":MAILTO:egathu@crystalfallslibrary.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260218T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260218T193000 DTSTAMP:20260404T044100 CREATED:20251218T231656Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251218T232203Z UID:10438-1771439400-1771443000@www.uppaa.org SUMMARY:UP History Book Club - Bloodstoppers & Bearwalkers: Folk Traditions of the Upper Peninsula by Richard Dorson DESCRIPTION:February 18 – Bloodstoppers & Bearwalkers: Folk Traditions of the Upper Peninsula by Richard Dorson \nAll meetings are on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. We meet in person at the Marquette Regional History Center (145 W. Spring St.\, Marquette) and online via Zoom (link available the day of the meeting at www.marquettehistory.org/uphbc). You can also join our mailing list on that webpage to get periodic reminders. All book club titles will be available for purchase at the museum gift store in the new year\, and museum members receive 10% off. URL:https://www.uppaa.org/event/up-history-book-club-bloodstoppers-bearwalkers-folk-traditions-of-the-upper-peninsula-by-richard-dorson/ LOCATION:Marquette Regional History Center\, 145 W. Spring St\, Marquette\, MI\, 49855\, United States CATEGORIES:U.P. History Book Club ORGANIZER;CN="Emily Tinder":MAILTO:emi@marquettehistory.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260228 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260301 DTSTAMP:20260404T044100 CREATED:20251216T182330Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251216T182623Z UID:10426-1772236800-1772323199@www.uppaa.org SUMMARY:Julie Buchholtz to feature "Mama's Song" at Hessel School House DESCRIPTION:Julie Buchholtz to feature “Mama’s Song” at Hessel School House for a book reading and signing event at Hessel School House on February 28\, 2026  (time to be announced later) \nSee https://hesselschoolhouse.org/ for details URL:https://www.uppaa.org/event/julie-buchholtz-to-feature-mamas-song-at-hessel-school-house/ LOCATION:Hessel School House\, 3206 W. Cedar Road\, Hesssel\, MI\, 49745\, United States CATEGORIES:Author Appearance ORGANIZER;CN="Kristy Beyer":MAILTO:director@hesselschoolhouse.net END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260228T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260301T170000 DTSTAMP:20260404T044100 CREATED:20251231T192624Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251231T192624Z UID:10455-1772265600-1772384400@www.uppaa.org SUMMARY:Writing North - Winter Book Fest DESCRIPTION:From tipster Sara Maurer: \nAn amazing literary event is coming soon to Manistique. Meagan Francis\, author of The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read and owner of Paper Mill Books in Manistique\, is planning the first Writing North Book Fest! It will take place Saturday\, Feb. 28 – Sunday\, March 1 in Manistique with free community events as well as author panels and an exciting literary salon event. \nParticipating authors will include \n\nEllen Airgood\nSteve Amick\nT. Marie Bertineau\nMikel Classen\nKaren Dionne (The Marsh King’s Daughter\, The Wicked Sister)\nCarol Dunbar\nMegan Francis\nAnn-Marie Ooman\n\nHere is a quick description of the festival: \nIn the heart of winter\, when the Upper Peninsula is at its quietest and most beautiful\, Writing North Winter Book Fest – the first literary festival of its kind in Manistique\, just off of Highway 2 in the heart of the U.P. – will gather together readers and authors for a celebration of stories and storytellers shaped by northern places\, with authors who hail from the northern Great Lakes region and/or craft their work around landscapes like ours. The event will lean into the season’s beauty and coziness by offering warm spaces\, close conversations\, and fresh inspiration in an intimate\, welcoming festival that’s rooted in place. Tickets\, itinerary\, and details at writingnorth.com. \n \nYou can also follow writingnorthup on Instagram for updates.\n  URL:https://www.uppaa.org/event/writing-north-winter-book-fest/ CATEGORIES:Author Appearance END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260319T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260319T200000 DTSTAMP:20260404T044100 CREATED:20260213T194246Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260213T194246Z UID:10534-1773946800-1773950400@www.uppaa.org SUMMARY:Diane Windsor Seminar on "How U.P. Writers Can Effectively Sell Books Directly to Readers" DESCRIPTION:Diane Windsor Seminar on “How U.P. Writers Can Effectively Sell Books Directly to Readers”\nMarquette\, MI — The Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association (UPPAA) is proud to announce the first of the 2026 Online Seminar Series—engaging and educational events designed to tackle timely issues in writing\, publishing\, and marketing. Offered completely free via Zoom\, these evening sessions are open to all UPPAA members seeking to strengthen their skills and stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving literary landscape. The first session will be on March 19\, 2026 with Diane J. Windsor\, an author\, publisher\, and book marketing specialist Membership details can be found at www.uppaa.org/join-or-renew. \nU.P. Writers Can Bypass the Bookstore and Build Their Author Platforms \nDid you know that by selling your books directly to your reader\, you not only earn higher royalties\, but you also have valuable reader contact information? And you don’t need to store boxes of books in your garage! Diane Windsor\, of Motina Books Publishing\, will explain how to set up a print-on-demand store from your website. \nDiane Windsor is the founder of Motina Books Publishing. She is a lifelong reader\, and at one point her dream was to become a published author. She realized she’s better at publishing wonderful books by authors\, than writing her own. Diane is also passionate about helping all authors with book marketing\, and hosts a monthly Zoom call that’s open to all authors\, to brainstorm creative marketing ideas. \nWHEN: Thursday\, March 19\, 2026 at 7:00PM Eastern\nWHERE: Contact president@uppaa.org to obtain the Zoom link \nJoin UPPAA and Grow Year-Round! \nUPPAA offers far more than just these Fall seminars. Member benefits include:\n\nThe annual Spring Conference\, featuring expert panels and networking opportunities\nParticipation in the U.P. Reader literary anthology\nThe U.P. Notable Books Club\, anyone can join this monthly online meeting with authors of the U.P.’s most significant books.\nYouth writing initiatives\, including the Dandelion Cottage Short Story Award and the Young Writers Storytelling Workshop to encourage U.P. students in grades 5 to 12.\n\nUPPAA welcomes writers of all levels and genres—from aspiring authors to seasoned professionals. Membership helps fund programming and ensures a thriving literary community throughout Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. \nTo learn more about the 2026 seminars\, visit www.UPPAA.org.\n\nAbout the Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association (UPPAA) \nEstablished in 1998 to support authors and publishers who live in or write about Michigan’s Upper Peninsula\, UPPAA is a Michigan nonprofit association with over 180 members\, many of whose books are featured on the organization’s website at www.uppaa.org. UPPAA welcomes membership and participation from anyone with a UP connection who is interested in writing.  URL:https://www.uppaa.org/event/diane-windsor-seminar-on-how-u-p-writers-can-effectively-sell-books-directly-to-readers/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Seminar END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260325T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260325T200000 DTSTAMP:20260404T044100 CREATED:20260304T134207Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260304T134207Z UID:10569-1774465200-1774468800@www.uppaa.org SUMMARY:March Memoir Writing Course DESCRIPTION:Story Spring Course—Write a Memoir  \n\n\n\nMemoir Writing Course\n\nMemoir Writing Course \nBegins Wednesday\, March 25 \nWednesdays at 7 pm Eastern Time  \nMarch 25\, April 1\, 8\, 15\, & 22 \nDetails \nThis five-week Memoir Writing Course is designed for writers who are in the beginning or middle of a memoir project. It will help you focus on the most important aspects of crafting a memoir and manuscript. In the first week\, we will hone in on your theme and purpose so you can identify the most important stories to share. In the following weeks\, you will learn how to use vivid\, honest details to introduce the people and places in your life onto the page. Finally\, we will focus on structure. Learning to organize scenes and chapters well will help you sustain your reader’s interest from beginning to end. These classes will help you build strong writing habits and avoid common pitfalls. The journaling handbook (free with the course) will serve as a workbook throughout the five weeks. Many of the exercises will be explained in depth and practiced together in class. In addition\, you will receive more resources\, and there will be plenty of time for questions and discussions.  \nFor more information: ​https://www.storyspringwriting.com/memoir-writing​ \nFind the right package for you!  \n\n\nCourse with handbook: $150 \nCourse with coaching: $249\nScholarships are available.\n\nContact with questions: Rehema@StorySpringWriting.com or Rehema.Clarken@Outlook.com URL:https://www.uppaa.org/event/march-memoir-writing-course/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Seminar END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260328 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260329 DTSTAMP:20260404T044100 CREATED:20251216T182524Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251216T182524Z UID:10428-1774656000-1774742399@www.uppaa.org SUMMARY:Sara Maurer to feature "A Good Animal" at Hessel School House DESCRIPTION:Sara Maurer to feature “A Good Animal” at Hessel School House for a book reading and signing event at Hessel School House on March 28\, 2026  (time to be announced later)   \nSee https://hesselschoolhouse.org/ for details \n  URL:https://www.uppaa.org/event/sara-maurer-to-feature-a-good-animal-at-hessel-school-house/ LOCATION:Hessel School House\, 3206 W. Cedar Road\, Hesssel\, MI\, 49745\, United States CATEGORIES:Author Appearance ORGANIZER;CN="Kristy Beyer":MAILTO:director@hesselschoolhouse.net END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260415T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260415T193000 DTSTAMP:20260404T044100 CREATED:20251218T231941Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251218T231941Z UID:10441-1776277800-1776281400@www.uppaa.org SUMMARY:U.P. History Book Club with Schoolcraft's Indian Legends and Ojibwa Narratives of Charles and Charlotte Kawbawgam and Jacques Lepique\, 1893-1895 DESCRIPTION:Schoolcraft’s Indian Legends ed. by Mentor L. Williams and/or Ojibwa Narratives of Charles and Charlotte Kawbawgam and Jacques Lepique\, 1893-1895 ed. by Homer Kidder \n  URL:https://www.uppaa.org/event/u-p-history-book-club-with-schoolcrafts-indian-legends-and-ojibwa-narratives-of-charles-and-charlotte-kawbawgam-and-jacques-lepique-1893-1895/ LOCATION:Marquette Regional History Center\, 145 W. Spring St\, Marquette\, MI\, 49855\, United States CATEGORIES:U.P. History Book Club END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260421T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260421T200000 DTSTAMP:20260404T044100 CREATED:20260304T190134Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260304T190134Z UID:10575-1776794400-1776801600@www.uppaa.org SUMMARY: Bards of Northern Michigan: Live Poetry Reading DESCRIPTION:Charlevoix Public Library \nFor more information\, please feel free to contact the Charlevoix Public Library at 231-237-7340 or email us at reference@charlevoixlibrary.org and visit our website at www.charlevoixlibrary.org. \nCelebrate National Poetry Month April 1 – 30\, 2026\n \nJoin us for one of our programs to celebrate National Poetry Month. Our afternoon workshop instructor and emcee for our evening event is author John Mauk. His stories have appeared in a range of publications. He has two full story collections\, Field Notes for the Earthbound and Where All Things Flatten. He has also published several textbooks and essays. He hosts Prose from the Underground\, a free YouTube video series for working writers. \nPoetry Across Genres: Why Writers of All Stripes Should Keep Poets Close \nTuesday\, April 21 • 2:00 pm • Registration Required\nCommunity Room \nIn this workshop\, author John Mauk will focus on a crucial poetic element: the unstated or what is sometimes called subtext. We’ll explore the power of ideas that lurk just below the linguistic surface and try some strategies for intensifying that delicate dimension of both prose and poetry. The first twenty people to register will receive a free copy of his latest book\, Where All Things Flatten. \n Bards of Northern Michigan: Live Poetry Reading \nTuesday\, April 21 • 6:00 pm\nCommunity Room (No Registration Required) \nJoin us for our third annual event celebrating the spoken word. Our emcee and keynote\, author John Mauk\, will be speaking on “The Poetry of Fiction\, Memoir\, Essay\, and Everything Else.” He will share a few of his favorite poems and explain why all writers should make poems part of their daily study. Some of our talented regional poets will read from their published works. We will have light refreshments to enjoy. All poets will be available to chat\, sell\, and sign books. \n \n  URL:https://www.uppaa.org/event/bards-of-northern-michigan-live-poetry-reading/ LOCATION:Charlevoix Public Library\, 220 West Clinton St\, Charlevoix\, MI\, 49720\, United States CATEGORIES:Author Appearance END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260515T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260515T210000 DTSTAMP:20260404T044100 CREATED:20260221T221107Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260221T221107Z UID:10547-1778850000-1778878800@www.uppaa.org SUMMARY:Spring Pre-Conference Events DESCRIPTION:There are several Pre-Conference Events that members can participate in on May 15\, 2026 \nEach of these is an optional “add-on” to your basic free membership for the Spring Conference on May 16\, 2026 \n\nPre-Conference Workshops (attendance is limited!)\n\nDeveloping Your Poetic Voice\, with Kathleen Carlton Johnson (2:00 pm to 5:00 pm)\nCreate Your Writing Mini-Trail Guide\, with Julie Covert  (1:00 pm to 4:00 pm)\nKnow Your Writing-Style Color and Make It Help You Write Better with Julie Covert  (4:15 pm to 5:15 pm)\n\n\nFriday Night Live – Pre-Conference Networking & Social Mixer\, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm URL:https://www.uppaa.org/event/spring-pre-conference-events/ CATEGORIES:Annual Conference END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260516T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260516T160000 DTSTAMP:20260404T044100 CREATED:20260221T220703Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260221T220703Z UID:10545-1778922000-1778947200@www.uppaa.org SUMMARY:Spring Conference 2026 DESCRIPTION:UPPAA members can attend Spring Conference 2026 for free! URL:https://www.uppaa.org/event/spring-conference-2026/ LOCATION:Peter White Public Library\, 217 N Front St\, Marquette\, MI\, 49855\, United States CATEGORIES:Annual Conference END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR