Author Road Trip: Moving Words (Jackson)

The Jackson County Library System is kicking off the adult programming season in October by highlighting 8 authors across 6 events. Grab a road trip postcard at the first event and get stamped at 4 of the following events as part of the Author Road Trip to have your name entered into a prize drawing: Jackson Library: Thursday, October 1 at 1:00 PM - Nathan Jorgenson Award-winning local author of five novels, including his newest, Otto's Portal. He is a skilled storyteller that chronicles the chaos of life with insight and humor. Jackson Library: Thursday, October 8 at 6:30 PM - Brent Mielke (aka The Zoo Man) Author of 3 popular books, a podcaster, traveling zoo educator, & a storyteller. Lakefield Library: Tuesday, October 13 at 6:30 PM - Mari Harries A Windom, MN native and author of the raw and honest memoir, Entrepreneur's Heartbreak. Heron Lake Library: Tuesday, October 22 at 6:30 PM - Howard Schaap Dordt Professor & author of Brooding Upon the Waters, a searingly honest memoir about growing up on a failing family farm in southwest MN in the 1980s & 1990s. Lakefield Library: Monday, October 26 at 6:00 PM - Bill Jamerson A Michigan singer/storyteller presenting a musical tribute to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Wearing a CCC uniform, he'll share stories, read from his book, and perform original songs, presented with trademark humor. Jackson Library: Tuesday, October 27 at 5:30 PM - Moving Words Enjoy a lively discussion with three multi-genre, Minnesota authors. The Jackson County Library and the Minnesota Center for the Book, will present an author event as part of the Moving Words series, a tour of Minnesota Book Award winners and finalists across Minnesota. Authors H.M. Bouwman, Mary Logue, and Kelly Foster Lundquist will come together for readings and discussion. This event is free and open to the public. ASL interpretation available by advance request. Featuring multi-genre, Minnesota Book Award-winning authors, Moving Words is an opportunity for writers and readers to explore various themes together: the impact of literature in their lives, their connection as fellow Minnesotans, and the lens through which we read. Featured Authors H.M. Bouwman is the author of middle-grade novels for kids. Her books have been finalists for state awards; the best of Kirkus list; finalist for the Cybils; a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection; a Kid's Indie Next Pick; finalist for the Midwest Booksellers Choice Awards; and a VOYA top shelf selection. Bouwman teaches literature and creative writing at the University of St. Thomas. Mary Logue is a poet, editor, and author of books for adults and children. She is best-known for her Claire Watkins mystery novels. Mary has taught at the Loft Literary Center and at Hamline University as part of their low-residency MFA in Writing for Children. She splits her time between Minnesota and Wisconsin with fellow writer Pete Hautmann. Kelly Foster Lundquist is the author of Beard: A Memoir of a Marriage, winner of the 2026 Minnesota Book Award in Memoir and Creative Nonfiction. Her work can be found in People Magazine, the Times of London, the Huffington Post, and Writer's Digest, among other places. Originally from Mississippi, she now teaches writing at North Hennepin Community College. Moving Words is a program of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library as the Library of Congress-designated Minnesota Center for the Book. This program is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund, The Harlan Boss Foundation for the Arts, and the generous support of Bernadette and Jeffrey Janisch. About the Minnesota Book Awards The Minnesota Book Awards is a year-long program that connects readers and writers across the state with the stories of their neighbors. The process begins in the fall with book submissions and continues through winter with two rounds of judging. Winners are announced at the spring Minnesota Book Awards Ceremony. Woven throughout the season are various events that promote the authors and connect the world of Minnesota books - writers, artists, illustrators, publishers, editors, and more - to readers throughout the state. In recognition of this and its other statewide programs and services, the Library of Congress has recognized The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library as the state's designated Center for the Book. For more information visit www.thefriends.org/mnba. These free events are open to the public and registration is not needed. For more information, call the Jackson Library - 507-847-4748.