Library Lines: Meet Pulitzer Prize nominated author John Smolens
Join us for an evening with Michigan Notable Book author John Smolens at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 1. Smolens will discuss his latest novel "A Cold, Hard Prayer." This will be an opportunity to ask questions, socialize and enjoy refreshments. An event at the library not to be missed.
John Smolens has published 12 works of fiction, 11 novels and a collection of short stories. His previous novel, "Day of Days," was a Library of Michigan Notable Book for 2022. His novel "Wolf’s Mouth" was selected as a Library of Michigan Notable Book for 2017. His earlier novels, "Cold," "Fire Point," "The Invisible World," "The Anarchist," "The Schoolmaster’s Daughter," and "Quarantine" have been reissued in paperback and e-book format by Michigan State University Press.
Cold was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 2001. His work has appeared in publications such as The North American Review, The Southern Review, The Massachusetts Review, The Virginia Quarterly Review, Columbia Journal of Literature and Art, The Boston Globe, The Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post. His novels have been published in the British Commonwealth, Holland, Greece, Italy and Turkey. He was educated at Boston College, the University of New Hampshire, and the Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa. He has taught English and writing at Michigan State University, Western Michigan University, and is a professor emeritus at Northern Michigan University, where he served as the director of the Master of Fine Arts Program in Creative Writing. In 2010, he was the recipient of the Michigan Author of the Year Award from the Michigan Library Association. He lives in Marquette.
“By all means, read John Smolens’ terrific new novel for the exciting, suspenseful story it is. A pair of orphans are on the run from forces both good and evil, their escape and pursuit played out in the often treacherous wintry landscape of northern Michigan. But don’t be surprised to find that as you turn the pages you’re also involved in an American morality tale, in which the best of this country’s virtues-a sense of fairness, decency, and tolerance are in deadly conflict with its worst qualities, bigotry, fanaticism, and hate. "A Cold, Hard Prayer" is a full, rich narrative and rewarding on many levels.” ~ Larry Watson, author of "Montana 1948" and "Let Him Go"
Thank you to our sponsors: the Library of Michigan, the Library of Michigan Foundation, and the Michigan Humanities which is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities for sponsoring the Michigan Notable Book tour which provides an opportunity for our community to meet John Smolens.
Michigan voters approved a Constitutional Amendment to enhance the security of our elections and safeguard the voting rights of all Michigan residents. These changes will be implemented in the 2024 election cycle. Are you prepared?
At 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9, the League of Women Voters Northern Michigan is hosting a public forum at the Cheboygan Area Public Library describing what to expect with these expanded voting rights. League leaders along with Cheboygan County Clerk, Karen Brewster, will discuss early voting options, voting absentee, and new ballot tracking systems. Bring your questions and learn where, how, and when to vote. Visit lwvnlm.org for more information.
— Paula Jewell is program director of the Cheboygan Area Public Library.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Library Lines: Meet Pulitzer Prize nominated author John Smolens
