Last semester, I taught a class in the writing major at the University of Minnesota Duluth called Minnesota Writers. It was a survey of a few “greatest hits” (Laura Ingalls Wilder and Wanda Gag; Upton Sinclair and F. Scott Fitzgerald; Tim O’Brien), but mostly, it was a tour through some of the writers alive and well and shaping Minnesota culture (Margi Preus, Chris Monroe, Julie Gard, Emily August, Michael Fedo, Lucie Amundsen, Kelly Florence, Meg Hafdahl, and contributors to the Pride Zine).

The last assignments in the class were oriented to the students as Minnesota writers — they reflect on five sample author bios, for example, and write their own author bio, as would appear on a book jacket. (In another class, I take them on elevator rides to demonstrate an elevator pitch for a writing project. Learning how to talk about yourself and your work is important to me.)

The students also look at resources for writers — from the recreational (classes in community education and at the Loft) to the professional (membership in the Society for Technical Communication).

What a semester, then, to be able to send them to events like Scribes and Vibes.

According to one of my students:

The Scribes and Vibes fest was a welcome moment of vibrant life, laughter, and beautiful art. I had an absolute blast getting to connect with and learn from fellow writers and artists — it was such a joy to discover this corner of the Duluth community! The passion, ambition, and authenticity of each artist truly shined at every table I visited. I had the privilege of establishing relationships with countless incredible and talented souls, and I am so thankful for the opportunities they presented; I’m looking forward to becoming more involved with zine making and the Duluth chapter of the League of Minnesota Poets!

— Kaelyn Hvidsten

Liz Minette reading a poem.

Lower level exhibitors.

Upper level exhibitors.

Copies of the new zine to be added to my class next year. Freshwater Feral is published by people in the Duluth Poetry Chapter.

Information from my home department, English, Linguistics, and Writing Studies, at UMD, which was one of many sponsors of the cool event.

There were literati at the event from around the state, but I was especially happy to meet HML Swann and to pick up their zine.

Swann has published in f(r)iction, one of my favorite literary magazines, and is right here in Duluth.

It’s so powerful to show students that, while Tim O’Brien and F. Scott Fitzgerald are the authors they are taught in school, the authors who will be taught in school tomorrow are in Duluth today.