#marquette

SPOTLIGHT ON OUR CONTRIBUTORS

/ Walloon Writers Review / Leave a comment

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.

Please sign up to be included in our infrequent, jam packed and always interesting emails. Send an email to: editor@walloonwriters.com. By submitting, you agree to receive email from Mailchimp emails. You can unsubscribe at any time. Walloon Writers Review does not share its mailing list.

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

Colorful leaves flying in the wind

/ Walloon Writers Review / Leave a comment

With autumn upon us, remember to take a look at some of the incredible details tucked into each poem and short story, leading us on a journey in northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. The photography and mixed media whisper their own story to us – beckoning a step outside, a walk on a trail, a hike in the sunny wind on the beach. From Traverse City to Marquette, Ishpeming to Iron Mountain and the Keweenaw back down around Pellston and drop into pretty Petoskey, grandly on the hill. Catch a special peak at the Little Traverse Bay and the breakwall – if it’s blustering, grab a coffee from one of our great artists and barristas downtown at Roast & Toast or around the corner at North Perk, catch a grand perspective from the Bayfront Park walk, or ride, connecting to the wheelway that runs along the shore of Lake Michigan – hop down to Charlevoix!

Catch your imagination – give yourself an adventure, you don’t have to go far but if you choose to, don’t forget Tahquamenon Falls, Good Hart, the Tunnel of Trees, swing through TC and head over to Suttons Bay for a fall feel, up and around the Leelanau Peninsula to Grand Traverse Lighthouse, then down M22 through Fishtown in Leland, Empire, Platte River area and Honor then south and west, in to Frankfort in the fall.

Apples, cider, donuts, wine, craft beer, fresh food, cool cocktails, great adventures abound. Search for your magic, swing back around through Interlochen, and keep rolling east. Somewhere along this trip, you’ll suddenly realize that you feel amazing.

With so many amazing places to explore, you’ll recall a line from one of our incredible contributors, you’ll see from their eyes the magic that inspires them to share their story, their perspectives, you’ll take your own photographs to catch the moment. Hope you enjoy this amazing season.

Falling Into Autumn

/ Walloon Writers Review / Leave a comment
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.

Walloon Writers Review Ninth Edition is On The Shelves & News About Upcoming Reading Event at Hoyt Library in Saginaw!

/ Walloon Writers Review / Leave a comment

“Up North” means so much to so many people. Walloon Writers Review Ninth Edition offers something for everyone to enjoy and features incredible contributors with an eye for creative expression and a touch of familiarity.

Thanks to the wonderful support of Michigan independent booksellers, you can find Walloon Writers Review Ninth Edition on the shelves AND available for shipping! We are on the shelves at Between The Covers in Harbor Springs, McLean & Eakin in Petoskey, Horizon Books in Traverse City, The Bookman in Grand Haven, and more and available for order at Between The Covers, McLean & Eakin, and Snowbound Books- Marquette! Adding to your pile of TBR’s? Consider Bookshop.org, BarnesandNoble.com and of course, Amazon.

Big shout out to libraries in Michigan including Hoyt Library in Saginaw (see below for a Walloon Writers Review reading event!), Petoskey Public Library, Walloon Lake Library, Charlevoix Public Library, and Peter White Library in Marquette. These libraries will have Walloon Writers Review Ninth Edition on the shelves in April! Check out a copy or stop in to enjoy reading a copy while you’re visiting these great libraries.

Save the date!

April 22 – Walloon Writers Review will be hosted by Hoyt Library in Saginaw from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm for contributor readings, a panel discussion, and refreshments! Copies will be available and can be signed at the event. Come out and experience Walloon Writers Review at this wonderful library!

Other Exciting Events for National Poetry Month

Bards of Northern Michigan at the Charlevoix Public Library will include readings by area poets, a special guest, and a few of our Walloon Writers Review contributors! Watch for more details!

WALLOON WRITERS REVIEW EXCITING NEWS…

/ Walloon Writers Review / Leave a comment

WALLOON WRITERS REVIEW NINTH EDITION TO BE RELEASED THIS MONTH!

© Kate Allore O’Neal Lake Speaking To Herself, 2024

Our Contributors Make Walloon Writers Review Ninth Edition Exceptional!

We are so honored to share our List of Contributors to Walloon Writers Review Ninth Edition!

Storm Ainsely – Winters, California

Kate Allore – Boyne Falls, Michigan

Margaret Anderson – Vancouver, BC Canada

Julie Angeli – Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Pamela Atsoff  – Birmingham, Michigan

Michele Austin – Daytona Beach, Florida

Raegan Badik – Mackinac Island, Michigan

Tom Barrat – Petoskey, Michigan

Elizabeth J. Bates  –  Marquette, Michigan

Milton J. Bates – Marquette, Michigan

Curt A. Benson – Grand Rapids, Michigan

Susan Boback – Ishpeming, Michigan

Jim Bolone – Toledo, Ohio

Monique Bova – Wolverine, Michigan

Carrie Cantalupo – Maple City, Michigan

Nancy Carey – East Jordan, Michigan

Tamar Charney – Ann Arbor, Michigan

Thomas Ford Conlan – Charlevoix, Michigan

Brenna Dean – Saginaw, Michigan

April DeOliveira – Battle Creek, Michigan

Sarah DiViasmeņi – Petoskey, Michigan

Patty Durell – Cheboygan, Michigan

Elizabeth Fergus-Jean – Harbor Springs, Michigan

Katherine Foote – Mt Pleasant, Michigan

Lisa Fosmo – Escanaba, Michigan

Chris Gerst – San Pedro, California

CJ Giroux – Saginaw, Michigan

Sheri Greene – Grand Haven, Michigan

J. L. Hagen – Fennville, Michigan

Nancy Hayes – Lake Leelanau, Michigan

Caroline Helmstadt – Saginaw, Michigan

Betsy Hayhow Hemming – Whitehall, Michigan

Deborah Hochberg – Oak Park, Michigan

Steve Hooper – Negaunee, Michigan

Becky Jensen – Bath, Michigan

Hank Kaufmann – Saginaw, Michigan

Taylor Keiser – Pellston, Michigan

Bridget Klaasen – Suttons Bay, Michigan

Mary Anna Scenga Kruch – Williamston, Michigan

Candace Lee – Traverse City, Michigan

John Lennon – Petoskey, Michigan

Kristin Bartley Lenz – Petoskey, Michigan

Jeanne Blum Lesinski – Saginaw, Michigan

Cassie Lindholm – Petoskey, Michigan

Ellen Lord – Charlevoix, Michigan

Max Old Bear – Traverse City, Michigan

Amy Pendell – Okemos, Michigan

George Perreault – Reno, Nevada

Doug Pfaff – Charlevoix, Michigan

Anne M. Rashid – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Karen Reasoner – Farmington Hills, Michigan

F.W. “Skip” Renker – Petoskey, Michigan

Jennifer Uehlein Reynolds – Charlevoix, Michigan

Katherine Roth – Traverse City, Michigan

David James “DJ” Savarese – Iowa City, Iowa

Ralph James Savarese – Iowa City, Iowa

Gary Schils – Harbor Springs, Michigan

Scot Siegel – Wilsonville, Oregon

Michael Sipkoski – Williamsburg, Michigan

Kirk Small – Bellaire, Michigan

Don Spezia – Traverse City, Michigan

K. Matthew Springfield – Clawson, Michigan

Ellen Schettling Whitehead – Mancelona, Michigan

This edition is edited by Jennifer Huder and Glen Young.

Stop by our page soon for our release date!

Call For Submissions for Walloon Writers Review Ninth Edition July 15 – August 30, 2024

/ Walloon Writers Review / 2 Comments

Through the first decade since its founding in 2014, Walloon Writers Review has provided a safe harbor where writers and photographers celebrate the sights and sounds of Northern Michigan. Through fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and photography, contributors continue to highlight the river bends and hilltops, as well as all the places in between, that mark this region as eternal.

As Walloon Writers Review embarks on our second decade, we seek both to build on this strong foundation, while also reimagining how the landscape of Northern Michigan continues to inspire and to influence writers and photographers. – Glen Young, Walloon Writers Review

General Guidelines

Walloon Writers Review is intended for a general audience, to be shared at the cottage, at camp, on the deck, or cabin bookshelf for all to enjoy. Our regional focus is on Northern Michigan, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (and the islands in between).

Submissions are accepted through Submittable.com during the above dates. Please visit our Submittable page for guidelines specific to this edition.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer feedback on submissions. In effort to include as many contributors as possible, only two submissions per person will be accepted for this edition.

Walloon Writers Review charges a reading fee of $6.00 per submission. Funds collected are used to offsets costs of producing this annual print publication and we also make an annual small donation to a regional non-profit organization working to protect the natural beauty of the region.

We include original poetry, short stories, and other creative writing (max: 4,000 words) and nature photography. Nature photography should not include people.

We hope you will share your Northern Michigan and Upper Peninsula inspired original work! Thank you for your support.

Please visit our Submittable page at https://walloonwritersreview.submittable.com/submit to learn more about specific guidelines and to submit your original creative writing and or nature photography for our upcoming edition!
Volume 1 First Edition

Peace and joy to all from Walloon Writers Review

/ Walloon Writers Review / Leave a comment

We are so grateful to all of the readers, creative writers, nature photographers, booksellers, libraries, gift givers and northern Michigan/upper Michigan fans who make this publication such a joy. Happy Holidays to every one of you and see you next year!