"The Minnesota Writer Program on the Cambridge Campus has a rich history,” says ARCC English Faculty member, William Breen. “In past years, we've hosted many premiere Minnesota authors such as Robert Bly, Kate DiCamillo and Jon Hassler. To celebrate the 20th annual event, Keillor's name came up right away. He is the pre-eminent living Minnesota writer with a long and generous relationship with the college who has infused American literature, radio, politics and film with an insightful, compassionate, humorous and truly Minnesotan sensibility."

The schedule of events includes:

• October 1, noon-1 p.m., room G201, science writer, Susan Leaf
  Leaf is a naturalist and biologist and author of the non-fiction book, “Potato City: Nature, History, and Community in the Age of Sprawl.” In twenty-two lyric essays, Leaf explores her town, a midwestern farming community for centuries that has become one of America's fast-growing suburbs.
  
  
• October 8, noon-1 p.m., room G201, juvenile fiction writer, William Durbin
  Durbin is a teacher and the author of ten novels for young readers, including “The Broken Blade,” “Wintering,” “Song of Sampo Lake,” “Blackwater Ben,” “The Darkest Evening,” “El Lector” and three books in Scholastic's My Name Is America series. He is a winner of the Great Lakes Book Award and a two-time winner of the Minnesota Book award. He lives at the edge of Minnesota's Boundary Waters Wilderness Area.
  
  
• October 11, 7 p.m., Cambridge Lecture Hall, author and radio host, Garrison Keillor
  Keillor is the host and writer of A Prairie Home Companion and The Writer's Almanac heard on public radio stations across the country and the author of more than a dozen books, including “Lake Wobegon Days,” “The Book of Guys,” “Love Me” and “Homegrown Democrat.” He was born in Anoka, Minn., in 1942 and graduated from the University of Minnesota.
  
  
• October 15, noon-1 p.m., room G201, poet Lorena Duarte
  Duarte is a poet and a performance artist born in El Salvador, She holds a degree in Hispanic studies/romance languages and literature from Harvard University, is editor of La Prezsa De Minnesota, a bilingual Latin newspaper, and will be featured in the forthcoming anthology, “Telling Tongues.”
  
  
• October 24, noon-1 p.m., room G201, Open Microphone Readings
  Anoka-Ramsey Community College students, faculty and staff will read original works of fiction, non-fiction and poetry.

"The college belongs to the community, so we are grateful to be able to bring accomplished and compelling writers to East Central Minnesota,” says Breen. “Appreciative readers and aspiring writers in the area hungry for this kind of event shouldn't have to drive to the Twin Cities to get it. Our events are typically more intimate, too. Folks can ask questions, get books signed and make small talk with writers over coffee and treats."

All events are free and open to the public. Due to expected interest however the Keillor event will require a ticket. Beginning September 17, the general public can request a free ticket to the Keillor event from the Cambridge Campus Bookstore at 763.433.1850. Tickets are limited to two per person.

For more information about the Anoka-Ramsey Community College Cambridge Campus Minnesota Writer program, contact Breen at 763.433.1906.