Literary calendar for week of Jan. 29

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HEIDI BARR: Minnesota writer and wellness coach celebrates publication of her book “Collisions of Earth and Sky: Connecting with Nature for Nourishment, Reflection, and Transformation,” with fellow St. Croix Valley writers Adam Pieri-Johnson, River Maria Urkey, Debbie Trantow, Hedi Fettig Parton and Kathleen Melin, as well as Chrystal Odin of Philadelphia Community Farm, a local nonprofit featured in Barr’s book. Free. 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, Natural Heritage Art Centre, 213 N. Cascade St., Osecola, Wis.

BRENDA FLETCHER: Minnesota native and mental health specialist introduces her memoir “A Love Beyond Life: My Journey Through Grief to Everlasting Connection.” Inspired by the death of her husband in a motorcycle accident, the Faribault-based author tells of how she discovered love after life through her deep connection to her late husband of 30 years who encouraged her to follow her dream of helping people on a deeper level by becoming a hypnosis practitioner. 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, Barnes & Noble, 3216 W. Lake St., Mpls.; 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, Barnes & Noble, 3239 Galleria, Edina.

STEVE FOX: Presents “Sometimes Creek” in conversation with Allison Wyss. In-store. 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, Magers & Quinn, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls.

DANNY KLECKO: Reads from his memoir “The Dead Fitzgeralds,” which includes the literary legacy of St. Paul, Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald and an homage to his mentor, the late Carol Connolly, whom he refers to only as the Duchess. Klecko is a baker, poet and Midwest Book Award-winner who’s written for Twin Cities publications and published three books of poetry and a cookbook — for dogs. He’s making it his mission to renew readers’ interest in Scott Fitzgerald, who was born in St. Paul. Presented in Friends of the St. Paul Public Library’s Fireside Reading series. Free. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, Hamline Midway Library, 1558 W. Minnehaha Ave., St. Paul, or via Zoom. Register at thefriends.org/fireside.

LITERARY BRIDGES: Hosts Hamline University creative writers Emma Marrington, Elena Laskowski, Austin Malberg, Arielle Newfield, Remi Sherman, Tara Westerlund and Luqa Martins, students and alumni who worked on the annual publication The Fulcrum Journal, created to represent the balance between the literary and visual art communities at Hamline. 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, Next Chapter Booksellers, 38 S. Snelling Ave., St. Paul.

What else is going on

Last week’s mention of the Jan. 7 death of author Russell Banks and his last novel, “The Magic Kingdom,” brought a message from Dave Carlson, video producer/editor at Northern Lights Minnesota Author Interview TV series. Carlson wants us to know that Hennepin County Library produced a “spin-off” series called “A Discussion With … National Authors on Tour.” Among the 160 half-hour episodes was one with Banks. “I had earlier posted a link to the online video interview on Russell’s Wikipedia page, ” Carlson writes, “and since his passing, over 200 views have been generated.” A list of all episodes of “A Discussion With…” can be found at davecarlson9.wixsite.com/mysite/a-discussion-with-national-authors.

Nominations for Mystery Writers of America 2023 Edgar Allen Poe Awards include authors with local ties. “Backstory” by Minneapolis-based attorney Charles John Harper, published in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, is a contender for best short story. Kathleen Hale is in the running for Best Fact Crime for her book “Slenderman: Online Obsession, Mental Illness, and the Violent Crime of Two Midwestern Girls,” an exploration of the stabbing of a 12-year-old by her two friends in Waukesha, Wis., because the girls thought if they killed someone they would be allowed to live with Slenderman, an internet-created monster. Hale lives in Los Angeles but grew up in small towns 20 minutes north of Milwaukee and is familiar with the area where the crime took place. And Joanne Fluke, pen name for Joanne Fischmann, will receive the MWA’s highest award — Grand Master. Fluke, author of the popular series featuring baker Hannah Swensen, is a native of Swanville, Minn., and attended St. Cloud State University. The Edgar Awards, which honor the best in mystery fiction, nonfiction and television, will be presented April 27 in New York City.

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