Poet Joyce Benvenuto will do a reading, answer questions and sign her new collection of poetry “A Grand River: Poems for Michigan” Wednesday October 10 at 7 p.m. at Schuler Books in Okemos. Benvenuto’s newest book of poetry brings life to the many generations of those of us who have either lived along the shore of the Grand River or those who live on the many rambling roads named after it. ( I can see both the river and the road from my house.)
The book covers 160 years of history and its poems trace life from Detroit to Grand Rapids and through to Grand Haven where the river dumps into Lake Michigan.
Benvenuto taught English and creative writing at Haslett Public Schools for 18 years. She received her teaching degree from Michigan State University.
On Thursday night in Holt the blockbuster author Steve Hamilton who was influenced by the poet Edgar Allan Poe will talk about his work and his very popular Alex McKnight Series which is set in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Hamilton will be at the Holt Junior High School at 6:30 p.m., Thurday October 11. Poe as it turns out was a lucky totem for Hamilton who has garnered two Poe Awards for his mystery writing.
Hamilton is the winner of two Edgar Awards, one for the best first novel (“Cold Day in Paradise”) and the other for best novel (“Lock Artist”). Only a handful of authors have achieved that level of recognition. Hamilton is being sponsored by the Capital Area District Library as part of their Thumbs Up for the Mitten series which celebrate the uniqueness of Michigan.
His most recent book is “Die a Stranger” and is a great noir road trip book that takes Alex on a quest to find one of his best friends. Hamilton’s ”Lock Artist” is in development for a movie and Hamilton is writing the script. Bestsellers Books & Coffee Company will be selling books at the event. Read more about Hamilton here and read a previous story on Mittenlit.com about his newest book here.
