Oct 5: Deep Valley Book Festival

Saturday, October 5 // 1:30-3:00 pm

The Tips of the Trade - Author Panel

The Deep Valley Book Festival welcomes back four past keynote authors for a special author panel including: 

• Allen Eskens

• Lorna Landvik

• Jacqueline West

• And, Margi!

Here's your chance to have your literary questions answered by these bestselling Minnesota authors. This discussion will uncover each author's personal route to publication as well as tips of the trades in various areas of literary perspectives ranging from humor and suspense to children's literature.

Come curious because questions for the panel participants will also be taken from the audience!

NOTE: The panelists will be available to autograph their books at the Content Bookstore table 30 minutes before the panel begins and following the panel. 

About the Festival

The Deep Valley Book Festival gets its name from the setting of the beloved Betsy-Tacy children’s books written by Mankato-born author Maud Hart Lovelace.

The festival features dozens of authors, illustrators, publishers, literary organizations, and hundreds of books!

​Visit with a favorite author or meet a new one, have your book signed, or listen to authors talk about their works. The festival features programs, workshops, speakers, or panel discussions, book giveaways, and more.​​​

Join Margi at Northwoods Writing Camp!

For Teen girls in 7th-11th Grade

This five day summer retreat is perfect for young writers! Inspired by our guest authors and each other, campers walk away with a renewed energy and courage to follow their dreams.

We all know there are limitations to what can be offered in a classroom. The magic of bringing girls to an island to "escape" distractions and realize their potential is marvelous. For them to write not for an assignment, not for a teacher, but for themselves and each other can be life changing. They find their voice.

This summer three sessions of camp are offered, all of which will take place on Atsokan Island at Rainy Lake. Each session is limited to 14 total campers. Most campers are 7th-11th graaders from rural Northern Minnesota, but students from all across the state are invited to apply.

Learn more and APPLY NOW at writingcamp.org >

MCTE Spring Conference: Changing Landscapes

Keynote speaker on Thursday, May 2

The Minnesota Council of Teachers of English (MCTE) is the Minnesota-based professional organization for teachers of English and language arts at the elementary, middle, secondary, and post-secondary levels. Margi is honored to be a keynote speaker at this year’s spring conference, “Changing Landscapes” held in Duluth, Minnesota.

The landscape of the English/Language Arts classroom is in the midst of change.  Teachers are navigating classrooms where students are relying on artificial intelligence to write papers.  Pressure is coming from outside sources regarding what can and cannot be taught.  Commitment to teaching diverse literature is met with resistance. All the while, we face urgent calls from within our profession to change the landscape for the better—to diversify the texts and perspectives we engage, to change entrenched patterns of access, to work toward anti-racist pedagogy, and to support students’ whole selves.

With this year’s conference, we come together to navigate and make change as a community of committed educators. As we take stock of one school year and set priorities for the next, we make time and space to connect, share, listen, reexamine, and grow.

Learn more and register today >

"Spies, Sleuths, Samurai and Scoundrels" at Grace A. Dow Memorial Library

Saturday, April 20 at 2:00 pm

Grace A. Dow Memorial Library, Midland, MI

Margi Preus, author of the Battle Book HEART OF A SAMURAI, will present "Spies, Sleuths, Samurai and Scoundrels" on Saturday, April 20, at 2:00 pm in the Auditorium. Copies of her books will be available for purchase and signing after the presentation!

In addition to our Battle Book, Margi is the author of VILLAGE OF SCOUNDRELS, SHADOW ON THE MOUNTAIN, and WINDSWEPT. She has also written several picture books, including LILY ON THE WAY (about a sailboat trying to get out of the harbor into Lake Superior to greet the incoming tall ships) and STORM'S COMING.

Learn more >

Author Visit: Elk River Library on April 13

Saturday, April 10 from 11:00am - 12:00pm

Margi Preus's writing career began when her audition for the kindergarten musical went horribly wrong.  Since then, she has written a bazillion plays, a couple of comic operas, and a bunch of books, including the Newbery Honor book, Heart of a Samurai.  Her books have landed on the New York Times bestseller list and many other "best-of" lists. 

Her presentations include engaging visuals, fun storytelling activities, and plenty of writing tips to reinforce that we are all storytellers with amazing stories to tell! Presentation for all ages, but especially for kids K-8. 

Space is limited, so register today! Learn more >

This program was made possible with Arts & Cultural Heritage Funds from Minnesota's Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment.