Meet the Many Faces of The Talking Stick Publication

 

"The Talking Stick" is an anthology publication of the nonprofit organization, The Jackpine Writers' Bloc, Inc. It's  a Minnesota collaboration of poetry, creative nonfiction and fiction with cash prizes awarded in each category. The goal of The Jackpine Writers' Bloc is simple - we want to encourage and publish Minnesota writers. Everyone published in this book, and all who worked to see it come to print, have a strong connection to Minnesota. In the writing within, you will find a variety of subjects and styles. And through them all, you will find that we are writers who know the length of the winter, the heat of the summer and the short breath-taking springs and autumns of Minnesota.

Open the book to see what fellow Minnesotans have written and somehow we can all feel a bit closer. "Talking Stick volume 29 Insights" books are available at  jackpinewriters.com or on Amazon. Past volumes can be ordered at jackpinewriters.com  

Call  for submissions begins December 2020 and final entries March 2021.

For more information about The Jackpine  Writers' Bloc upcoming  workshop and book events email Sharon Harris sharrick1@wcta.net

Executive Board 

Scott Stewart, President

Sharon Harris, Secretary/Treasurer

Tarah Wolff

Mike Lein

Niomi Phillips 

During this year of 2020 and COVID, the Jackpine Writers’ Bloc  have had to do things differently with more things electronically and from a distance. They were able to publish  "The Talking Stick Insights Volume 29" but instead of their traditional book release party they went online with Candace Simar's Zoom workshop September 19, "Go Deeper" looking at the craft of writing. Here's a link to her presentation. https://youtu.be/RJBPM1OFYU4

Published Winners below for 2020 "The Talking Stick Insights Volume 29." 

POETRY
1. “Parting Song” by Laura L Hansen
2. “The New Dog” by Marsh Muirhead
Poetry Judge: Sharon Chmielarz

CREATIVE NONFICTION
1. “The Cut Glass Bowl” by Marlene Mattila Stoehr
2. “Flying Minnie” by Sue Bruns
Creative Nonfiction Judge: Jill Johnson

FICTION
1. “The Last Day” by Kathryn Knudson
2. “The Eighth Step is Amends” by Paisley Kauffmann
Fiction Judge: Candace Simar

HUMOR
1. “The Plumber” by Pam Whitfield
Humor Judge: Jill Johnson

A link to Laura Hansen's winning poem "Parting Song." 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EeMvIO3GA87TiRGYLvAC8Y4HS8z5zvW4/view?usp=drivesdk

 

Faces of some Jackpine Writers' Bloc Inc. members who have participated in previous Northwoods Art and Book  Festival Events. 

Sharon Harris (left) Niomi Phillips (right) 

 
Mike Lein

Sharon Harris (left) Tarah Wolff (right)

A little known fact "Talking Stick" has had a presence every year at Northwoods Art and Book Festival since the book arts began.

Luke Anderson (1937-2o20)

Luke Anderson was a faithful contributor for many years to "The Talking Stick" and they  wanted to honor his work by dedicating the recent publication "The Talking Stick Insights" to his memory. His long-time partner, Joanne Cress, created the painting used for the book cover.  

I am a poet

in search of words,

measures, and

metaphors,

to resolve the enigma

of my time being.

from "Time Being"

by Luke Anderson