NMU professor, author to present April 30 program at library

GAYLORD — A state author will be in Gaylord as part of the the Library of Michigan’s 2024 Michigan Notable Books Author Tour.

John Smolens will be making a presentation about his award-winning book, “A Cold, Hard Prayer” at 6 p.m. on April 30 at the Otsego County Library at 700 S. Otsego Ave.

Smolens is currently a professor emeritus at Northern Michigan University where he served as director of the master of fine arts program in creative writing. In 2010 he was the recipient of the Michigan Author of the Year Award from the Michigan Library Association. His previous novel, “Day of Days”, was a Library of Michigan Notable Book for 2022. In 2017, his novel “Wolf’s Mouth” was also selected for the award. He lives in Marquette.

Copies of his books will be available for sale after the presentation. Michigan Notable Books (MNB) is an annual program from the Library of Michigan in which a committee of librarians, state employees and readers from across the state select 20 of the most notable books, either written by a Michigan resident, or are about Michigan or the Great Lakes.

The MNB program is designed to promote the reading of Michigan authors and stories by annually selecting 20 titles that best reflect the diverse ethnic, historical, literary and cultural experiences in the state.

“Michigan truly is a mosaic of inspiration for writers," state librarian Randy Riley said in a statement. "Each MNB selection offers a unique touchpoint into the rich stories and beautiful landscape of our great state. Everyone will find something of interest that speaks to the voices and experiences of what it means to be a Michigander."

For more information about this program and other upcoming library events, please visit otsego.lib.mi.us or contact Lori Rinaldi at 989-732-5841 or by email.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: NMU professor, author to present April 30 program at library