NMU professor named Michigan author of the year

Each year, a Michigan author is chosen by the Michigan Center for the Book for its Michigan Author Award. This year, Northern Michigan University professor John Smolens has been named the recipient of the award.

Smolens has recently written his sixth novel, The Anarchist, a historical book depicting the assassination of William McKinley. Previously, his five other novels are Cold, The Invisible World, Fire Point, Angel's Head and Winter by Degrees. He also has published a collection of short stories, My One and Only Bomb Shelter.

The annual award is sponsored by the Michigan Center for the Book, Sleeping Bear Press, and the Michigan Library Association.

"The reason this is such a unique honor is because it comes from people who are so committed to the written word." Smolens says. "Where would we be without it? I know I'd be lost. Books, stories, language — these are the rarest, most essential gifts. The fact that someone can walk into a public library and take one of my books down from the shelf is all the compensation I'll ever need."

Past honorees have included Elmore Leonard, Gloria Whelan, Nicholas Delbanco, Patricia Polacco, and Steve Hamilton. Part of the qualification for the award is to use Michigan and its residents as settings and characters in the authors' work.

"John Smolens' books have dramatically illustrated the lives of everyday people in Michigan towns," says Karren Reish, Michigan Center for the Book coordinator. "In his deft hands, the atmosphere of a cold northern winter comes alive and gives the reader an insight into our great state."

The award will be presented at the Michigan Library Association's conference in Traverse City, Nov. 9-12.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: John Smolens, Northern Michigan University