Featured Writers
Mélina Mangal
Mélina Mangal’s work has been published by Milkweed Editions, Coffee House Press, W.W. Norton, and Carolina Wren Press. She is the author of five biographies for youth, including The Vast Wonder of the World: Biologist Ernest Everett Just, winner of the Carter G. Woodson Award. Her latest book, Jayden’s Impossible…
Erin Soderberg Downing
Erin Soderberg Downing has published more than 75 books for kids, tweens, and young adults, including Controlled Burn (a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection) and Just Keep Walking, a story inspired by a 100-mile hike she took with her son on Minnesota’s Superior Hiking Trail. She has also written…
Thomas Maltman
Thomas Maltman’s essays, poetry, and fiction have been published in many literary journals. He has an MFA from Minnesota State University, Mankato. His first novel, The Night Birds, won an Alex Award, a Spur Award, and the Friends of American Writers Literary Award. In 2009 the American Library Association chose…
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Damone Bester
Damone Bester is a two-time award-winning author whose debut novel Mendel received both a BookFest Award and a Black Excellence Award for Outstanding Fiction. His highly anticipated sequel, Blue Smoke Rises, releases in 2026. Known for bold storytelling that blends emotional depth with social insight, Bester teaches writers how to develop authentic voice, build compelling…
Dave Kenney
Dave Kenney is the author of nearly two dozen books, all historical non-fiction, covering topics ranging from World War II to the movie industry. Two of them won the Minnesota Book Award. His previous career in journalism included stints as a local television reporter and as a writer with CNN. He lives in Roseville, Minnesota,…
Anne-Marie Erickson
Anne-Marie Erickson was born in the western Minnesota prairie town of Benson. Her journalism, poetry, essays, and book reviews have appeared in regional publications. Her first book, In the Evening, We’ll Dance, is a memoir in essays based on the 17 years of her husband’s dementia. Erickson attended Augsburg University in Minneapolis (B.A., American Studies).…
Andrew Kantar
Born and raised in Minneapolis, Andy Kantar is the author of a trilogy of Great Lakes shipwreck books written primarily for young adults. His first book, 29 Missing, was a Michigan Notable Book for Young Adults. Black November was a finalist for the Foreword Book of the Year (YA nonfiction) and the major source for…
Debra J. Stone
Debra J. Stone is a Jerome Hill Arts Fellow in Literature 2023-25, a Minnesota State Arts Board grant recipient, and The Loft Mirrors and Windows Fellow 2023. The University of Minnesota Press has published her debut novel, The House on Rondo. Stone resides in Minneapolis with her husband and dog Ruby, an ACD Red Heeler.
M.E. Bakos
M.E. Bakos has published several short stories in national women’s magazines. Her love of mysteries has led to writing cozies about a house flipper turned amateur sleuth. Her mystery short stories, “Carpe Diem or Murder at the Carp Fest” is in the Festival of Crime. Her second, “Perfect Storm…Perfect Murder” is in Dark Side of…
Jessica Litman
Jessica Litman, also known as “The Organized Mama,” is a published author and home organization expert whose work has been featured on Today.com, People.com, Better Homes & Gardens, Parents Magazine, Apartment Therapy, and The Spruce. Litman has a wide array of speaking experience, including television appearances on WGN, WCCO, Fox, ABC, and Life.Style.Live, as well…
Chloe Spencer
Minnesota native Chloe Spencer (she/her) is an award-winning writer, indie gamedev, and filmmaker. She is the author of multiple sapphic horror novellas, novels, and short stories. In her spare time she enjoys playing video games, trying her best at Pilates, and cuddling with her cats. She holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of…
The Minnesota Writers Directory is a project of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library as the Minnesota Center for the Book. The Library of Congress designated The Friends as Minnesota’s Center in 2012, and in that role The Friends promotes reading, literacy, and libraries throughout Minnesota. Learn more >>
How To Get Listed on the Directory
Thanks for your interest! If you live in Minnesota and you meet the Directory Eligibility Criteria, you can apply to be listed. (Before applying, read the Eligibility Criteria.) We will contact you after we’ve reviewed your application.
All applicants:
- You must live and work in Minnesota. If you live in Minnesota for part of the year, outline your availability in your application.
- You must provide an email address for your profile. (This will not be listed on the website, but it will be used to create a unique contact form linked to your email address.)
- Your county will be listed in the directory. (Street addresses will not be listed.)
- You must meet the Eligibility Criteria. Before applying, read the Eligibility Criteria to see if you are eligible for listing. You will be accepted at the discretion of the Minnesota Center for the Book.