Traverse City

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.

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

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“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!

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