A selection of books written by Wild Rice Writers Group members. (Submitted photo/Linda Mikolayenko)

By Derek Cornet

milestone

Wild Rice Writing Group celebrating 30 years with free public event

Apr 19, 2023 | 4:47 PM

A Literary Extravaganza to celebrate 30 years of the Wild Rice Writers Group is scheduled for Saturday in La Ronge.

“It’s an opportunity for the community to hear some of the writing by our local Wild Rice Writing Group members and we’re also having some wonderful guests from out of town, former members of the group who are coming to share their writing,” said Linda Mikolayenko. “It’s truly a literary celebration.”

The event, which will be held at 2 p.m. at the Alex Robertson Public Library, will begin with a greetings from the founders, followed by more than a dozen readings and an in memoriam tribute. A book sale and silent auction will occur, and cake will be served to attendees as well.

The Wild Rice Writers Group was formed by Laurel Archer, Mike Froese and Karlene Gibson in 1992 with the goal of providing professional development and encouragement to its members, as well as contribute to the creative and literary life of the tri-communities. The group has hosted more than 35 workshops and presentations with Saskatchewan authors, covering a large range of topics. Workshops have typically been open to all residents of the area, regardless of membership in the club.

“People join for different reasons,” Mikolayenko said. “Some are hoping to write for publication, so it is an opportunity to get some professional development. It is an opportunity to get some feedback from fellow writers. Others like writing for personal creative expression, so it offers something for both.”

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Mikolayenko believes the writing group has made a positive impact in the tri-communities. Through public reading events, members have been given the opportunity to not only share their work publicly, but also gauge a response about it.

Members have also been supportive of the Northern Reading Program and have acted as judges for writing contests. They’ve also participated in events like Mayor’s Poetry City Challenge and the Saskatchewan Centennial Voyageur Art Project.

Members of the Wild Rice Writers Group have also participated in fundraisers for the Alex Robertson Public Library and have served on the board of the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild.

A Literary Extravaganza is open to all community residents and is free of charge.

“We’ve got about a dozen book prizes we are giving away as door prizes, and people will have the opportunity to bid on two books that are collector items now,” Mikolayenko said. “They are out of print and we are hoping people will take the opportunity to bid on them in a silent auction. The proceeds from that will go to the Harold Johnson Fund.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno