I had the pleasure of attending the Minnesota Book Awards on April 16. The emcee mentioned St. Paul ranks 7th and Minneapolis 3rd in the list of the country's most literate cities, making Minnesota the only state with two cities in the top 10. I have no doubts! Not sure what makes Minnesota so wonderfully literate--lots of theories out there about nothing to do during long, cold winters but sit inside and read and write. Works for me!
I love the Mankato contingent at the Book Awards--big this year as always! Not only writers/editors who currently live in the Mankato area, but lots of good representation of former Mankatoans (lots of MFA grads) now living and writing and teaching in other parts of the state.
Speaking of Minnesota State Mankato's MFA program, it got a major shout-out on the April 18 Huffington Post of the top-25 most underrated MFA programs. I am a proud MSU MFA program hanger-on, as I like to call myself. I've taken one class in the program but I mostly insert myself into the MFA society and pretend that I'm a candidate. I figure the atmosphere will rub off at some point.
Anyway, lots of award-winners I now must read, including VESTMENTS by John Reiminger and Lightsey Darst's poetry collection. Swati Avasthi's SPLIT did not win but I heard enough fantastic raves--including from Pete Hautmann, the actual winner--that I have to check it out, too.
I'm once again proud to be a writer and book lover in Minnesota.
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There was a fantastic crop of writers nominated this year. Wish I could have been there. I can't help but point out that Reimringer, Avasthi, and Darst were all Weekly Reader guests this year, too. We're trying to make you proud! You can still hear those interviews:
http://kmsuweeklyreader.libsyn.com
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