As many in the Northland arts community struggle to bring their work to an audience amidst the social distancing recommendations related to the COVID-19 crisis, “Simply Superior” interviews two of the Northland's most well-known creatives — musician Gaelynn Lea and author Margi Preus — about how they’re finding new ways to connect with their audiences near and far.
Ask a Voyageur
Here’s a fun and interesting blog to answer your questions, like what was life like during the 1800s in French Canada? Like who could or couldn’t be a voyageur? How big the canoes were? What trade goods they carried? What different furs were worth? What they used for medicine?
Nikki Rajala will answer your questions, recommend books and more!
Rajala is an author who writes about voyageurs—her French-Canadian ancestors paddled birch bark canoes on many fur trade brigades. One great-great wintered for 16 years in fur posts west of Lake Superior!
Lovely to meet you Amanda Zieba
From her blog: I had heard somewhere that Margi lived in Duluth. I happen to visit Duluth every summer for our annual week up north. So, I asked her. “Margi, would you be willing to meet me while I am in town and let me interview you for my blog?”
And guess what?!? She said yes!
Then next day (after we met) I got a text message from Margi to stop at the front desk of my hotel. She had left something there for me. When my family and I returned to our temporary home after a day of Duluth adventuring, I hurried to the desk to find an ARC of her forthcoming book, Village of Scoundrels. Below you will see my brief review of this story, and an excerpt from my favorite chapter. But even fresher in my mind, is the generosity of the woman behind the story, who was willing to share her time, attention and afternoon with a writer who aspired to reach her level.
Read more and get a sneak peek of her favorite chapter from Village of Scoundrels >
Events in March 2020
March 2: Washington DC
Margi will be presenting to area schools through An Open Book Foundation, a nonprofit that serves Washington, DC-area students in schools, libraries, and other venues for families in need. Since 2011, the foundation has reached nearly 60,000 students, organized 1,424 presentations, and donated more than 70,000 books. Learn more about An Open Book Foundation >
March 10: Thief River Falls
Margi will be the keynote speaker at the Northwest Service Cooperative Young Authors Conference at Northland Community & Technical College, Thief River Falls. The conference is designed to encourage and inspire young writers in grades 5-8. Through interaction with established authors, poets, playwrights, storytellers, illustrators, journalists and teachers of writing, students discover and explore their writing talents and potential. Learn more >
MOVED ON-LINE! March 26: Launch Party at Zenith Books, Duluth, MN and March 28 Launch Party at Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul, MN
Please follow my social media accounts for virtual launch all this week.
March 24: Instagram takeover! Along with illustrator Cheryl Pilgrim, I will be taking over @holidayhousebks account to post pics and stories of the making of The Littlest Voyageur.
On-going: Taped readings from The Littlest Voyageur (with props and costumes, and perhaps a visit from a “real” voyageur) on various platforms including https://holidayhouse.com/. Watch my media accounts for updated info.
March 26: Interview on KUMD 103.3 in the Northland at 8:20 a.m.
Events in February 2020
Margi will be visiting schools across the country to share her books and her love of storytelling with students.
Feb. 20 - 21
River Falls, WI Schools
Feb. 26-27
New York City Schools
Connecting with readers and writers of all ages
Margi would love to visit your school or library, speak at your conference, or conduct a writing workshop or residency.