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SPOTLIGHT ON OUR CONTRIBUTORS

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Every edition of Walloon Writers Review unveils a fresh collection of creative writing and nature photography celebrating northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. We are so fortunate to introduce readers to exciting writers and photographers, some with recognizable names and some at their first time in print.

After a whirlwind season of live readings by our contributors and display of some of the photography, where audiences had the incredible experience of hearing the writers read their own work in person, we wanted to keep that good feeling going! We caught up with several contributors to find out a little more about them and what they are working on next!

(photos Left to Right: Elizabeth Kerlikowske reads poetry at Crooked Tree District Walloon Lake library; Contributors from Left to Right: Susan Boback, Stephen Hooper, Ellen Lord, Katherine Roth, founder Jennifer Huder, Patty Durell, Lisa Fosmo, Kate Allore, Elizabeth Bates, and Milton J. Bates pose at Ishpeming Public Library reading event; Petoskey’s John Lennon reading at Walloon Lake Library).

In the next few posts, check out “Spotlight On Contributors”, with photos, bios, and a short note from them on what new projects they are working on right now. We hope you will continue to follow these contributors as they publish and present their new works in the future. Sign up for our email list where we share new books or gallery showings by contributors and other events.

We are honored that contributors have selected Walloon Writers Review to share their work and hope you find these updates fun! We will include Ninth Edition and previous edition contributors we’ve heard from recently. Contributors, in case you missed it, please email editor@walloonwriters.com if you have updates to share! Headshots and relevant photographs welcome!

Spotlight On Contributors

Meet Carrie Cantalupo

Carrie Cantalupo is a new contributor to Walloon Writers Review. Her poems blue black night and sumac can be found in our Ninth Edition. From her home in northern Michigan, Carrie shares this update with us:

I have been working on a collection this year and hope to have it ready to 

send out into the world by January. I am also working on illustrating a children’s book!  (A BIG 

first for me!) I am so honored to be in the Walloon Writers Review with so many wonderful writers.

Carrie Cantalupo writes poetry and flash fiction and has been published in Pike’s Peak, Making Waves, You Might Need to Hear This, Poetry Project Matters and Transformation: Stories of Northern Arts and Culture. Carrie lives in Maple City in the Bohemian Wood and loves to hike, travel, and read.

Meet Don Spezia

Don Spezia is a new contributor to Walloon Writers Review. His photography Natural Beauty can be found in our Ninth Edition.

Don’s work can be seen in other places, including art galleries. His photograph titled “Feather Brushed” was published in Decagon Gallery – Beyond the Mirror photo book in 2024. He has also had other honorable mention awards and purchase awards at various galleries. From his hometown in Traverse City, Don writes:

Photograph in the 9th Edition of Walloon Writers Review: “Natural Beauty” is a photograph taken at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore when a Porcupine presented itself for a photo shoot at sunset on May 13, 2023 at 8:15 pm.

My website for photography and music can be found at donspeziasologuitar.bandzoogle.com or donspezia-friznicmusic.com

Don has been interested in photography since acquiring his first 35mm camera. His photographs usually include nature, wildlife, architecture, moments, motion, and landscapes. His favorite photographs are outdoors, influenced by the elements of nature. Formerly an Architect, Don retired in 2017.

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NOTES FROM WALLOON WRITERS REVIEW…OCTOBER, 2025

It’s been an incredibly exciting several months – the release of our largest collection ever with more than sixty contributors, a total of 186 pages of creativity rushing like a waterfall in the UP! Finally, our Facebook page, with photos, events, information about relevant events in the region, is back up!

This summer, I had a treasured opportunity to meet face to face, explore and enjoy our host libraries and their communities, meet readers, hear first hand reading of selections we chose for you to enjoy along with the passion and joy that flows from these contributors.

Walloon Writers Review also had an opportunity to showcase our photography! A huge thanks to contributors like Tom Barrat and Kate Allore for meeting up in random parking lots to exchange precious framed editions for us to travel across Michigan with on our journey. We even got to include Eighth Edition contributors in our readings and displays.

On a fantastic experience of the Good Hart Residency’s Tunnel of Trees Art Trail event , we caught up with Mixed Media Contributor Elizabeth Fergus-Jean and Second Edition Cover Artist/Photographer Neil Ahrens in their galleries. Then, we headed up to Trillium Woods Coffee on M-119, where cover photographer Kate Allore had her stunning creative art work (including this cover!) on display AND bumped into Eighth Edition returning contributors photography artist Moon Seagren and poet Deda Kavanagh!

(Founder/Editor Jennifer Huder and Neil Ahrens at Ahren’s Studio – photo by Steven Huder)

ON THE SHELVES! Remember as the holidays approach that a copy of Walloon Writers Review makes a great gift, a thank you to a host, an introduction to the magical mystical places of our region, or a lasting souvenir of a great time spent together. Our independent booksellers across the state also offer shipping! We can also be found on goodreads.com (helps our indie booksellers) and barnesandnoble.com (convenient)! Visit “Where to Find Walloon Writers Review” tab for information.

Many thanks to Public Radio90 and Host Kurt Hauswirth at WNMU-Marquette for helping share about Walloon Writers Review AND to Interlochen Public Radio 90.1FM in Harbor Springs/Petoskey and Traverse City for letting their listeners know about Walloon Writers Review Ninth Edition.

Great news from many! Please watch for an exciting email soon!

– All the best – Jennifer Huder

Falling Into Autumn

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Trillium Woods Coffee low building set in tall pine trees
Trillium Woods Coffee – M119 Tunnel of Trees

As one of our four favorite seasons in northern Michigan gets ready to explode in color, crisp air, an urge to get outside and hike, putter, paddle, cast, explore and breathe in the fresh air washes over us. Aside from the endless vistas along our highways and roads, northern Michigan makes room for imagination. A settling in begins.

This photo was a quick grab from our newest fabulous place to find Walloon Writers Review, Trillium Woods Coffee along the Tunnel of Trees between Harbor Springs and Good Hart. You’ll have to go inside, grab a fall beverage of your choice, and see for yourself. What an exciting addition to our trail of great places to stop in and pick up a copy of the latest edition!

Walloon Writers Review contributors are a very special group of people. This year, as well documented on this site, we were invited to offer readings across the state, in Saginaw, Walloon Lake, and Ishpeming, as well as hearing readings at our launch party in Petoskey. I had more time to visit face to face with contributors than ever before. I’m honored that you are a part of this publication and the circle of friends you included in this journey. Thank you to everyone who helped with set up, read with the passion and clarity that only you, the original author, can bring to a reading, and serve as ambassadors as we expand our reach to writers and readers around Michigan and beyond.

In this season of sunshine, cool mornings, pumpkins, wineries, ciders, delicious apples and food that just tastes so much better, enjoy the glow, get out, and explore someplace new. There are so many adventures to be had here. Fall is a favorite for many of us writers and readers, as the sweater or hoodie comes out and you settle into your walk, reflecting on all of the great memories of a smoky but satisfactory summer. Take note of all of the colors and sounds and smells around you as you explore.

Walloon Writers Review Ninth Edition is available at several independent bookstores and many libraries across the state! If you are looking for that collection that brings the feel of northern Michigan home with you, pick up a copy as you explore northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. Here are a few places to find us: Between The Covers – Harbor Springs; McLean & Eakin – Petoskey, Horizon Books – Traverse City, Snowbound Books – Marquette, The Bookman – Grand Haven, Parallel 45 Books and Gifts – Alpena, Canterbury Bookstore – Escanaba, Bay Books – Suttons Bay, Brilliant Books – Traverse City, Poetess & Stranger – Petoskey, Jordan River Art Center Gift Shop – East Jordan, and many more.

In the coming posts, we will introduce contributors so that you can learn more about who makes this collection of short stories, poetry, and nature photography so exciting!

*Footnote: Our Facebook and Instagram pages are down due to hacking. The process to reopen them is cumbersome. For now, we will be only using our email and website for social media.

Hooked on northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula? We always have a fish story for you.

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Ever wonder what’s inside of this magazine? Who might like it? Let’s take a look!

One of the most popular subjects of the submissions we receive each year is something (maybe everything!) about fishing!

In poetry or narrative, in true fish tale storytelling style or vivid description of the solitude and settings, contributors bring readers along for the moment. From the favorite fishing spot, the intensity of landing that elusive brookie or salmon or others that flow through the blue waters up here, you’ll be drawn in. The all-in for fish crowd will find a few brilliant examples of this in Walloon Writers Review Ninth Edition.

Casting for Ghosts by Stephen Hooper of Negaunee, fits the bill for the fishing fans. This lively short story, set some where in the wilds of the UP, keep you intent on finding out just what happens all the way through. Hooper’s outstanding story telling skills have appeared in previous editions in the form of poetry and song lyrics.

Gary Schil’s Muskellenge as Muse draws you into the lush setting of a northern Michigan lake, and brings you to the dance between rod, reel, and fish. Gary’s talented word crafting builds the tension, and brings you so close, you can see the fish yourself. Gary Schil is a returning contributor to Walloon Writers Review and lives in Harbor Springs.

Morning Boat on Walloon, a rich poem written by new contributor Margaret Anderson (now in Vancouver, BC Canada) vividly captures those great memories that we all love to share. She begins:

Let me tell you what I remember
of fishing with my father
in the morning fog on Walloon,
our oars silent as mink paddling,
to catch breakfast in Lily Pad Bay;

What you will find in Walloon Writers Review are reflections, adventures, funny tales, exploration of new places throughout this grand region. Beautiful nature photography and new this edition, we are pleased to share exceptional mixed media of the same theme. All of it is focused on the incredible natural beauty, experiences that are uniquely northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula fill the pages.

We hope you enjoy it! You can find copies throughout this region and around Michigan! Check out our Where to Find Walloon Writers Review tab here on our website.

– Jennifer Huder, Founder

Walloon Writers Review Ninth Edition is edited by Jennifer Hude and Glen Young. Produced in Petoskey, Michigan, our contributors live, work, visit, vacation, or have ties to this magical region. Walloon Writers Review reprints the selected contents by permission of the original writers and artists. 196 pages in paperback.

Ninth Edition Updates!

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Walloon Writers Review Ninth Edition is in the hands of our design team!

We are so excited to share this news! More steps are ahead before this edition will be available in bookstores, but the first completion step is done. Watch for updates, including sneak peaks at our Contributors list, our cover reveal, which organization benefits from a portion of our Submission fees from this edition, and how you can pre-order copies! In a few weeks, we will share our expected release date.

We are grateful to everyone who sent in submissions for consideration. Walloon Writers Review carefully reviews each submission multiple times before making our final selections. With such an incredible response to our Call For Submissions this year, the process to select as many outstanding pieces as we could possibly accept was tough. Thank you for sharing your work with us.

Thanks goes to Co-Editor Glen Young for all of his dedication and contribution to this publication and to each of you for your support. We are always grateful to all of the amazing independent booksellers in Northern Michigan, the UP, and downstate Michigan for making Walloon Writers Review available for their customers. So many of our readers, visitors, and part-time neighbors travel from all corners of this beautiful state to enjoy Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula and they are a perfect spot to make that connection. Your support of purchasing, gifting, and sharing copies of Walloon Writers Review goes a long way in making this possible. Thank you! – Jennifer Huder

Author and Walloon Writers Review Contributor SUZI BANKS BAUM To Offer Writing Workshop & Reading in Escanaba Thursday,Oct. 19th!

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We are so excited to share the news that Suzi Banks Baum is offering a writing workshop and a reading of her short story, MAXIE AND HER CAMERA, published in Walloon Writers Review Eighth Edition, Thursday, October 19th at 4:00 p.m. at the Escanaba Public Library.

A great article was shared in Escanaba’s Daily Press announcing the event. Here is the link to the article: https://www.dailypress.net/news/community/2023/09/escanaba-native-returns-for-writing-workshop/ .

 FROM ESCANABA PUBLIC LIBRARY: Award-winning author, and Escanaba native, Suzi Banks Baum, will present a writing workshop and public reading at the Escanaba Public Library October 19th at 4:00 p.m. Writers and literary lovers alike will create short stories from true facts from their own lives. Banks Baum will lead a discussion about writing from life experience and read selections from her newly published story, Maxie and Her Camera, set in the Lakeview Cemetery in Escanaba. The main character, Maxie, is based on the author’s life, with details gathered from growing up in Escanaba. Banks Baum often hears new writers profess they have no idea where to begin. “Begin where you began,” says Suzi. 

(Read more about Suzi Banks Baum in the linked article above!)

“There’s No Place Like Home” is open to ages 12 and above and can be found under “Offerings” on her website or on the Full Calendar at Escanaba Public Library. Sponsored by the Friends of the Escanaba Library, the writing workshop offers an exciting opportunity. Bring a journal or paper and something to write with!

Learn more about Suzi, visit her website: https://www.suzibanksbaum.com.

We are so honored that Suzi submitted her story to us to share in our collection of short stories, poetry and nature photography rooted in northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. Walloon Writers Review Eighth Edition with Suzi’s story, is available at Canterbury Bookstore in Escanaba, Snowbound Books in Marquette and several independent bookstores throughout lower Michigan. Please note that Walloon Writers Review is suitable for general audiences and inspired by the natural beauty of this incredible region. Enjoy Maxie and Her Camera and Walloon Writers Review!

Suzi Banks Baum lives in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. Her writing has been published in Walloon Writers Review Fourth Edition, as well as several other publications.