Watermark Art Center is proud to present author and teacher Lin Enger as the next featured writer in the Spoken Word Series. Enger’s most recent novel, The High Divide, details the journey of Ulysses Pope, a man haunted by the past he sets out to rectify, and his family who follows in search of him. The novel is a travel narrative whose exhibition not only runs through the bleak landscape of the 1880s American West/Midwest, but also journeys the emotional travels of the Pope family as they each learn what it means to face the truth. This literary western is set during an often-overlooked time period, after the Indian Wars but before the decimation of the American Bison, thus treating readers to a period of culture they rarely get to experience.

The High Divide received starred reviews in Publisher’s Weekly and the Library Journal. It was a finalist for both the Reading the West and Society of Midland Authors book awards for 2014.

Enger will read from this epic story on Friday, September 11 at Watermark Art Center in Bemidji. There will be a reception and book signing from 5-7 p.m., with the reading beginning at 6.

The following afternoon, Saturday, September 12, Enger will teach a workshop titled “Making Literature out of History.” The workshop will be held from 1-4 p.m. at Watermark. Through lecture, discussion, and writing exercises, attendees will consider elements that contribute to effective story rendering: significant detail, point of view, dialogue, and more. Cost for attending the workshop is $40, or $20 for students. Pre-register by September 9 by calling Watermark at 218-444-7570.

This workshop is geared for all ages and experience levels. Enger is a master writing teacher, who has spent nearly 30 years helping writers produce their best drafts. He taught graduate workshops in the MFA program at Minnesota State University Moorhead for 20 years, serving as MFA Program Director for six years. He was one of the original 10 faculty members at the Perpich Center for Arts Education in Golden Valley, MN, and has led workshops and lectures throughout Minnesota and other states. Whether you have already been published or are writing your very first rough draft, this workshop is a great opportunity to receive expert advice at a low cost.

Enger, an Iowa Writer’s Workshop graduate, currently teaches English and creative writing at Minnesota State University Moorhead. His short stories have appeared in Glimmer Train, Ascent, Great River Review, American Fiction, and other journals. In addition to The High Divide, Enger is the author of Undiscovered Country (2008). He also co-wrote a series of mystery novels in the 1990s with his brother, novelist Leif Enger, under the pseudonym L. L. Enger.

Go to our Spoken Word Series page for more details regarding Watermark workshops and reading events.