On The Road: The Traveling Writer

One of the great perks of writing books has to be the “on the road” aspect. My husband Neil and I have a dorky habit of beginning our journeys with a quick rendition of the Willy Nelson song, “On the Road Again.” (I warned you we were dorky.)

On this particular trip, though, I flew — well, drove — solo. Neil stayed home, busy with parent-care (his 95-year-old father), while I drove a couple hours south to a fantastic bookstore in Gaylord, Michigan — Saturn Booksellers. Poet Julie Brooks Barbour and I were there to publicize two anthologies that celebrate Michigan’s Upper Peninsula — THE WAY NORTH, Collected Upper Peninsula New Works, Wayne State University Press; and HERE, Women Writing on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Michigan State University Press. Both books were edited by Ron Riekki. (To be fancy that’s Dr. Ronald Riekki, a native Yooper. I guess being a Yooper – Native to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula – isn’t fancy, but it’s definitely cool. Pun intended.)

Speaking of cool, if you live in Michigan and haven’t yet visited Saturn Booksellers, you’ve missed one of the most cool bookstores ever. Michigan is full of great bookstores. Be sure this one is on your list.

During our visit, Julie… (This is Julie, by the way:)

… and I had so much fun talking to the customers who came in and getting to know the Saturn staff.

Allow me to introduce the ineffable Karin Beyer, Store Manager:

(Karin’s the one in the dress)

The always efficient and very wise Rachael Drummond:

( In real life Rachael is not blurry.)

And Alex Roggow, reader extraodinaire!

(This was not a posed photograph. Alex was actually on the phone.)

Karin and her staff work hard, smile often, and love to talk about books!  No surprise that Julie and I found the book selection to be fantastic. While we were there, we both composed new “have to read” lists, and we each bought books!

The next time you’re in the Gaylord, Michigan area don’t miss Saturn Booksellers, 133 West Main Street.

Happy Reading!