MANISTIQUE, Mich. — The Writing North Winter Book Fest will bring together authors, readers and community members for a weekend dedicated to books, storytelling and regional voices on Saturday and Sunday in Manistique.

The event will be hosted by The Mill in Manistique, in partnership with Paper Mills Books, and will take place at several downtown locations, including Lake Effect Community Arts and The Blue Mystique Inn.

The festival marks the first time the area will host a winter-focused book festival designed to celebrate writers and books that are culturally connected to the Great Lakes region.

“As a lifelong northerner, a reader and an author, I know northern places shape the way writers work and the stories they tell,” said Meagan Francis, Writing North organizing director and co-owner of The Mill. “The climate, the seasons, and the pace of life all influence what ends up on the page. I wanted to create a festival that celebrates authors shaped by northern life and the readers who value and seek out their work.”

The Writing North Winter Book Fest will feature author panels, discussions, and opportunities for readers to engage directly with writers working across genres, including fiction, memoir, poetry, and nonfiction.

It’s designed to be welcoming to both readers and writers, offering programming that highlights the richness of Great Lakes storytelling.

Several authors, along with Meagan Francis, plan to participate in this year’s festival, including Ellen Airgood, Steve Amick, T. Marie Bertineau, Chad Broughman, Mikel Classen, David Dempsey, Karen Dionne, Carol Dunbar, Bryan Gruley, J.L. Hyde, Ellen Lord, Sara Maurer, Anne-Marie Oomen, Helen Raica-Klotz, and Chef Lane (Iliana) Regan.

Festivalgoers can customize their Writing North experience by purchasing a one-day or all-access pass.

Organizers also have free programming planned at the Mill that includes a festival kickoff Saturday morning, an instructor-led midday stretch, book signings and a family hour with four local children’s book authors. Additionally, visitors can participate in a free guided downtown history walk or enjoy local art displays at Lake Effect Arts Center.

The Writing North Winter Book Fest aims to establish a new annual tradition –one that celebrates regional talent, fosters creative exchange, and strengthens Manistique’s role as a cultural destination.

Organizers see the event as a meaningful addition to Manistique’s growing arts and culture scene, with the potential to draw visitors from across the Upper Peninsula while supporting local businesses and creative communities.

“Every day in the bookstore, we see how deeply readers connect with authors who come from this region,” said Eric Neilson, co-owner of Paper Mill Books. “People want to see their own lives reflected in what they read, and this festival brings those writers and readers together in a really meaningful way.”

To purchase passes or see updates on participating authors and programming, go to writingnorth.com.