MARQUETTE — To continue informing regional authors and publishers of the latest changes in the publishing world and offering effective marketing and writing innovations, the Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association will hold its 25th Annual Conference from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 4 at the Peter White Public Library.

This year’s conference includes a variety of topics relevant to writing, publishing and marketing, the UPPAA said in a news release. It will be open to all writers, beginning and seasoned, as well as anyone interested in writing.

Registration is now open at www.uppaa.org/meeting-registration/. Here individuals can join the organization and listen to 2020 and 2021 conference recordings, as well as obtain other information about UPPAA.

The keynote speaker will be Linda LeGarde Grover of Duluth, Minnesota, a member of the Bois Forte of Ojibwe and professor emeritus of American Indian studies at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Her talk is titled “Reflections on Writing from History and Heart: Inde’ Ozhibii’ige Dibaajimowin.”

Her recent publications, UPPAA said, are a mixed-genre memoir, “Gichigami Hearts: Stories and Histories from Misaabekong,” and a revised reissue of her research paper, “From Assimilation to Termination: The Vermilion Lake Indian School.”

Grover’s research on American Indian boarding schools focuses upon extended families, tribal communities and federal policies, according to UPPAA, which noted her research begins with the schools her family attended.

Her award-winning works are “The Road Back to Sweetgrass,” “The Dance Boots,” “Onigamiising: Seasons of an Ojibwe Year” and “The Sky Watched: Poems of Ojibwe Lives.”

In sharing aspects of her journey as an Ojibwe woman writer, Grover will address the importance of stories in teaching and learning as well as the importance of tribal tradition and historical narrative in Native voices, UPPAA said.

Breakout sessions to be held by expert members of the UPPAA community are:

≤ Sharon Kennedy: “How to become a columnist”

≤ John L. Hagen: “Advanced writing tools — Beyond MS Word”

≤ Kathleen Carlton Johnson: “Marketing your poetry”

≤ Nikki Mitchell: “Complementary merchandise strategies for your Middle Grade/Children’s books”

≤ Brandy Thomas: “Proofreading and editing — What does an editor do?”

≤ Steve Lehto: “YouTube and video marketing for your books”

A business meeting will also be held, the highlight of which will be the presentation of the fifth annual Dandelion Cottage Awards for its student short story contest.

This year’s winners are Lauryn Ramme, a junior at Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood, first in the senior division; Siena Goodney, a freshman at Marquette Senior High school, second in the senior division; Heidi Helppi, a junior at Negaunee High School, third in the senior division; and Paige Griffin, an eighth-grader at Lake Linden-Hubbell Elementary School, first in the junior division.

For more information about the annual Dandelion Cottage short story contest, visit www.DandelionCottage.org.

In addition, the release of the sixth volume of U.P. Reader, UPPAA’s annual literary anthology featuring short stories, poetry and essays by its members, will be celebrated. The new volume includes works by 33 authors from around the U.P., including this year’s Dandelion Cottage Award winners. For more information, visit www.UPReader.org.

UPPAA noted that the conference will provide networking opportunities for anyone wishing to learn more about writing, publishing and book marketing. Additionally, the final session of the day will include “Birds of a Feather” discussion groups to meet on topics of interest, which the attendees nominate during the business meeting.

An exhibition area will showcase U.P. authors who provide services to other authors such as illustration, editing, book design and marketing.

The general public may attend the spring conference for a $60 registration fee. UPPAA members attend free of charge. Space is limited, so advanced registration is recommended. Membership details, benefits and registration are available at www.uppaa.org. A catered lunch buffet is included with the cost of registration, but is free for UPPAA members.

For more details or to register offline, contact membership secretary Brandy Thomas at uppaa.membership@gmail.com. Registrations online or by mail must be received no later than May 25.

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.