Michigan's Upper Peninsula is blessed with a treasure trove of storytellers, poets, and historians, all seeking to capture a sense of Yooper Life from settler's days to the far-flung future. Since 2017, the U.P. Reader has offered a rich collection of their voices that embraces the U.P.'s natural beauty and way of life, along with a few surprises.
The sixty-plus short works in this 8th annual volume take readers on U.P. road and boat trips from the Keweenaw to the Soo and from St. Ignace to Escanaba. Every page is rich with descriptions of the characters and culture that make the Upper Peninsula worth living in and writing about. U.P. writers span genres from humor to history and from science fiction to poetry. This issue also includes imaginative fiction from the Dandelion Cottage Short Story Award winners, honoring the amazing young writers enrolled in all of the U.P.'s schools.
Featuring the words of John Adamcik, Nancy Besonen, Miina Chopp, Tom Conlan, Nina L. Craig, Art Curtis, Adam Dompierre, Julie Dickerson, Rosemary Gegare, J.L. Hagen, Mack Hassler, Richard Hill, Skye Isaacson, Kathleen Carlton Johnson, Leah Johnson, Larry Jorgensen, Rick Kent, Tamara Lauder, Ellen Lord, Raymond Luczak, Gregory M. Lusk, Beverly Matherne, Maria Vezzetti Matson, Becky Ross Michael, R.H. Miller, Hilton Moore, Mark Nelson, Eve Noble, Alex Noel, M. Kelly Peach, Jodi Perras, Isla Peterson, Jane Piirto, T. Kilgore Splake, Bill Sproule, David Swindell, Ninie Gaspariani Syarikin, Brandy Thomas, Edd Tury, Tyler R. Tichelaar, Analise VerBerkmoes, and Victor R. Volkman.
"Funny, wise, or speculative, the essays, memoirs, and poems found in the pages of these profusely illustrated annuals are windows to the history, soul, and spirit of both the exceptional land and people found in Michigan's remarkable U.P. If you seek some great writing about the northernmost of the state's two peninsulas look around for copies of the U.P. Reader. --Tom Powers, Michigan in Books
"U.P. Reader offers a wonderful mix of storytelling, poetry, and Yooper culture. Here's to many future volumes!" --Sonny Longtine, author of Murder in Michigan's Upper Peninsula
"As readers embark upon this storied landscape, they learn that the people of Michigan's Upper Peninsula offer a unique voice, a tribute to a timeless place too long silent." --Sue Harrison, international bestselling author of Mother Earth Father Sky
The U.P. Reader is sponsored by the Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association (UPPAA) a non-profit corporation. A portion of proceeds from each copy sold will be donated to the UPPAA for its educational programming.
Learn more at www.UPReader.org
Industry Reviews
"As readers embark upon this storied landscape, they learn that the people of Michigan's Upper Peninsula offer a unique voice, a tribute to a timeless place too long silent." --Sue Harrison, international bestselling author of Mother Earth Father Sky
"The U.P. Reader has to be the best work of its kind in the Midwest. And, thankfully, it is based in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Not only does it provide a wonderful source for readers and scholars who are interested in the most intriguing piece of real estate in North America, it also serves as a well-designed forum for Upper Peninsula writers. Great job, Mikel. Keep up the good work!" --Michael Carrier, author of Murder on Sugar Island
"Funny, wise, or speculative, the essays, memoirs, and poems found in the pages of these profusely illustrated annuals are windows to the history, soul, and spirit of both the exceptional land and people found in Michigan's remarkable U.P. If you seek some great writing about the northernmost of the state's two peninsulas look around for copies of the U.P. Reader." And over the last six editions, it has earned a reputation as an anthology with high literary standards that offers readers a unique step inside the customs and character of the Upper Peninsula. --Tom Powers, Michigan in Books
"In addition to featuring stories from the U.P.'s most famous veteran writers, including Tyler Tichelaar, Larry Buege, and Donna Winters, the U.P. Reader also showcases stories from the Dandelion Cottage Short Story Award. This contest honors the best writing from middle and high schools around the Upper Peninsula. Any child in grades 5 thru 12 living in the U.P. can enter -- including homeschooled students too. These young writers are not afraid of challenging topics, but they are also as likely to go on flights of fancy such as a rip-roaring pirate story or a sci-fi spoof. Watch these kids, they will be the U.P.'s next generation of prolific and profound writers." --Victor R. Volkman, U.P. Book Review
"I was amazed by the variety of voices in this volume. U.P. Reader offers a little of everything, from short stories to nature poetry, fantasy to reality, Yooper lore to humor. I look forward to the next issue." -- Jackie Stark, editor, Marquette Monthly
"The U.P. Reader is a great collection of regional authors. The works range across the genre of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, along with some amazing photographs. It's well worth the few minutes each story takes to experience the richness of talent the U.P. has to offer. I am looking forward to the next issue and all that follows." -- Paulette Noble, author, Virtual Reality series
