We might still be waiting for snow here in Anchorage, but that’s not stopping the 2009 Mushing History Conference, bringing together authors, historians, researchers, writers, veteran mushers and supporters of the colorful history of sled dog travel. In addition to several well-known mushers, speakers and presenters will include Jane Haigh of Kenai, author of Gold Rush Dogs, and author Linda Chamberlain of Homer.
The Conference opens with an informal gathering for the presenters on Friday, November 6, from 5 to 7 pm, at the Iditarod Trail Headquarters in Wasilla, reconvening on Saturday, November 7, at UAA’s Commons Conference Room 107A from 9 am to 5 pm and at the Grand View Hotel in Wasilla on Sunday, November 8, from 9 am to 3 pm. All events are free to the public, with donations appreciated but not necessary, and families are encouraged to attend. For more information, call the Conference Coordinator, Helen Hegener, at 907-354-3510 for information.
[NOTE: THE FOLLOWING SIMPSON/BURLESON EVENT WAS CANCELLED DUE TO ILLNESS.] Also in the Valley this weekend, Sherry Simpson and Derick Burleson of UAA’s Low-Residency MFA Program will be giving a free public reading Saturday, November 7 at 7 p.m. in the yurt at Spring Creek Farm in Palmer. We understand that in addition to being oh-so-Alaskan, the yurt is a great venue for this kind of casual and intimate literary event—it’s warm (yes, there’s heat), inviting, and it’s surrounded by acres of fields, gardens, and woods—none of which you’ll be able to see since it will be dark.
Also on Saturday, the UAA Campus Bookstore will be open from 10 am – 2 pm to celebrate National Bookstore Day with a 20% off storewide sale. Some exclusions apply (i.e. textbooks, software and computers, consignment, sundries).
Remember, too, that on Monday, November 9 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Bill Sherwonit, author of Changing Paths: Travels and Meditations in Alaska’s Arctic Wilderneess, presents “Notes from a Literary Journalist: The Importance of Passion, Persistence, and paying Attention.” This event is cosponsored with the UAA CWLA/MFA Program.
On Tuesday November 10 from 5 – 7 p.m., Seth Kantner, Phyllis Fast, James Labelle and Karla Booth will speak on “How Life in the Arctic is Depicted.” Seth Kantner is author of the Ordinary Wolves and Shopping for Porcupine, and Phyllis Fast is the author of Northern Athabascan Survival. Shopping for Porcupine is the UAA/APU Book of the Year for 2009-2010.
The following week, on Monday November 16 in SSB 118 at 7 pm, Dahr Jamail will discuss his new book, The Will to Resist: Soldiers who Refuse to Fight in Iraq and Afghanistan. Jamail’s visit is sponsored by the Gene Sharp Lectureship on Nonviolent Action, Political Science Dept/UAA; Political Science Association/UAA; Alaskans for Peace and Justice; Veterans for Peace-Ernest Gruening Chapter and the UAA Campus Bookstore.
Joan Kane, an Anchorage poet honored by multiple national awards, will be featured in a November reading to celebrate Alaska Native writers. The poetry reading and discussion is set for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at the UAA Campus Bookstore. The free event is sponsored by the bookstore, by Alaska Center for the Book and the Alaska Native Heritage Month Committee, marking November as Alaska Native/American Indian Heritage Month. Campus parking is free.
Kane recently made national headlines by being named one of 10 emerging writers awarded the 2009 Whiting Award. She will read from her newly published book, The Cormorant Hunter’s Wife, recently released by NorthShore Press. A discussion will follow with other Alaska Native poets. Copies of Kane’s book will be available for purchase and signing at the Nov. 17 poetry reading. For more information on the event, contact carolben@gci.net.
Ann Chandonnet’s essay “Write What You Don’t Know” is now online in the November newsletter of Winoca Books & Media. You can link to www.winoca.com. Chandonnet also shares news from Book Rix of a free short story contest for writers and readers on the theme “Travel Stories.” On the line: $1,800.00 in prize money for writers, “fame!” and Amazon vouchers (each worth $20) for voting readers.
Very frustrating that the right sidebar on the Winoca page says Ann Chandonnet's essay “Write What You Don’t Know” is there, but no hyperlink. Searched the site, couldn't find how they wanted us to get there, so had to get to the essay via Google. Would have been great to have 49 Writers link to the actual essay page in this case. I know, the link was probably obvious, but I just couldn't find it.
Sorry to disappoint on the link. We use the links authors give us for their round-up submissions. I looked up the more precise link and added it.