Book Club for Writers: Writing Literary Nonfiction that Publishers Notice

Learn how author Erica Hannickel took her nonfiction writing skills to the next level and found a major publisher for her book, Orchid Muse, in Lake Superior Writer’s next installment of Book Club for Writers.

Trained as a cultural historian, Hannickel published Empire of Vines: Wine Culture in America with U. Penn in 2013. When she decided to write a book about orchids for a wider audience, she re-trained herself in nonfiction to let the story lead and find new ways to write for a wider audience.

After roughly five years of work, Orchid Muse: A History of Obsession in Fifteen Flowers was published by W.W. Norton in late 2022. The book has won awards, been featured in best-of-2023 lists, and Hannickel has given dozens of invited talks across the country.

Trained as a cultural historian, Erica Hannickel published Empire of Vines: Wine Culture in America with U. Penn in 2013. When she decided to write a book about orchids for a wider audience, she re-trained herself in nonfiction to let the story lead and find new ways to write for a wider audience. After roughly five years of work, Orchid Muse: A History of Obsession in Fifteen Flowers was published by W.W. Norton in late 2022. The book has won awards, been featured in best-of-2023 lists, and she has given dozens of invited talks across the country.

This Book Group for Writers program focuses on knowing your audience, mixing science and fact with magnetic storytelling, building a platform, and Erica’s top four books about publishing that she credits for her success in landing an excellent agent and a press.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Email [email protected] by noon, Feb. 5, for a link to the event.