By Erin Stevens

The Chippewa Valley Writers Guild is off to a rousing start! We’re thrilled by the support we’ve received from our community, as evidenced by our standing-room-only Craft Talks, our dozens of applications for Cirenaica, and most exciting of all, the many brave writers who took to the mic at our very first Open Read. We’re inspired by you, and we hope our programs might return the favor.

Though it seems we just got started, our first season of Craft Talks is coming to a close. (Don’t worry, next season will begin lickety split in September.) But if September is too far away, never fear, we still have some exciting events coming up. Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 7th, 2016 at 2 p.m. because the Chippewa Valley’s very own Michael Perry will be giving a keynote address at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library’s Eau Claire room.

Yes, you read that right. A New York Times best-selling author, humorist and radio show host, Perry will discuss the keyboard-level realities of balancing writing for a living with writing for meaning. Perry is the author of The Jesus Cow, Population 485, Truck: A Love Story, Coop and many more. This event is free and open to all writers, readers and lovers of literature in the Chippewa Valley and beyond. Bring yourself, your friends, your family members, and/or your roommates.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better than this… brace yourself! At 1 p.m. (prior to Perry’s keynote address), come hang out with the Chippewa Valley Writers Guild on the library’s front lawn! This is a perfect way to meet and engage with fellow writers and literature lovers, and to learn more about the Guild. We’ll also have swag, music, refreshments, ice cream from 9 Degrees, giveaways, collaborative art opportunities, and more! Stop on by and get to know the writers in your neighborhood!

For more information, visit the Chippewa Valley Writers Guild website, or email us at chippewavalleywritersguild@gmail.com.