Almanac

Fifty years after the fateful sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald, the National Writers Series welcomes New York Times bestselling author John Bacon to the City Opera House to discuss his new book, “The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald.”

Drawing on over 100 interviews with the families, friends, and former crew mates of those lost, The Gales of November is the definitive account of the ship’s role in Great Lakes’ shipping, the lives of her sailors, her fateful sinking, and the heartbreaking aftermath for those left behind. Haunting and captivating, “The Gales of November” indulges readers in the mysteries still circling in the waves of Lake Superior after the famous wreck and honors the lives of those lost.

“The wreck of the Fitzgerald has long fascinated and frustrated storytellers. Now, at last, the story is deftly and deeply explored by John U. Bacon in this terrific, gripping account.” —Jonathan Eig, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for King: A Life

Bacon will take the stage on November 6th to uncover the mysteries of the Edmund Fitzgerald. The event will begin at 7 PM and includes Q&A and an author signing.

In-person and virtual tickets for this not-to-be-missed glimpse into the past are available at nationalwritersseries.org! Be sure to grab yours today!

The National Writers series is thrilled to present Joe Hill in conversation about his newest sinister tale, King Sorrow, a story about the collision between modern-world dangers, an ancient evil, and the unpredictable consequences that send the lives of six friends into a tailspin.

Hill’s chilling novel follows Arthur Oakes on Rackham College’s campus in frosty Maine. Forced to choose between stealing rare books and summoning a demon with a group of friends, Arthur chooses the latter. But there’s nothing simple about dealing with dragons, and the six suddenly find themselves in the middle of a terrifying bargain that continues to haunt them for years to come.

“A brilliantly Faustian fable with a heart as huge as a dragon’s, and a stinging twist in its tail. I devoured it.” —Ruth Ware, New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in Suite 11

Hill will take the City Opera House stage on November 15th alongside guest host and #1 New York Times best-selling author and NWS co-founder Doug Stanton. The event will begin at 7 PM and includes Q&A and an author signing. Each ticket comes with a copy of “The Gales of November,” or, opt for our two-ticket/one book bundle and share with a friend! You won’t want to come alone!

Grab a friend and visit nationalwritersseries.org to purchase in-person and virtual tickets today!

Individual tickets include one copy of "King Sorrow," or opt for our two-ticket/one book package and share a copy with a partner or friend!

The National Writers Series is thrilled to welcome renowned poet Kate Baer to Traverse City to discuss her latest collection, “How About Now,” an unapologetic examination of the march of time in a shifting world and what it means to grow older.

Channeling Baer’s own journey to middle age, the poems in “How About Now” explore age, motherhood, and what it means to release children into the wildness of their own lives. Raw and urgent, the collection is both intimate and universal.

From the poet who has captured the heartbeat of the modern woman, “How About Now” is a striking declaration of ongoing transformation and self-discovery at every stage of life.

Baer will take to the stage at the Milliken Auditorium at the Dennos Museum Center on December 3, 2025. The event will begin at 7 PM and includes Q&A and an author signing. This is a general admission event. Don’t miss out on an incredible evening! In-person and virtual tickets are available at nationalwritersseries.org now!

General Admissions tickets ($20) do not include a copy of "How About Now." Individual tickets ($36) do include a copy of the book, discounted 20% from retail price.

Join us as the National Writers Series welcomes Todd Goddard to the City Opera House to explore the life of Jim Harrison through his powerful new biography: “Devouring Time: Jim Harrison, a Writer’s Life.”

A writer of both prose and poetry, Harrison is considered one of the finest voices of his generation. Drawing on more than one hundred interviews and Harrison’s collected papers, Goddard paints a compelling literary portrait of one of the nation’s most beloved authors whose playful, irreverent, and spiritual work continues to delight readers to this day.

“Devouring Time will stand as a complete and moving portrait… Raw and revealing, yet with a sensitive eye for both the pain and the talent that made Jim one of modern America’s most intriguing poets and novelists.” —Carl Hiaasen, New York Times bestselling author of Fever Beach

Goddard will take to the stage to explore the life and writings of Jim Harrison. The event will begin at 7 PM and includes Q&A and an author signing. Please note, tickets do not include a copy of “Devouring Time,” but you can find copies available for purchase on our website.

Don’t miss this unforgettable evening! In-person and virtual tickets are available at nationalwritersseries.org now!