Lao writers to gather in Minneapolis

A summit on Lao-American writers will be held this month, pulling together notable writers, directors, poets and spoken-word artists to work with new and emerging writers.

Speakers will include Minnesota writer Bryan Thao Worra, a Bush Foundation fellow; Catzie Vilayphonh, a poet and spoken-word artist, and Saymoukda Vongsay, a poet.

The summit will be Aug. 13-15 and is open to the public.

Workshops will be held that Friday and Saturday, with a public reading on Saturday night.

Registration can be done online at www.laowriters.org/.

The summit will be at Open Book, 1011 Washington Av. N., Minneapolis. It's funded by the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, the Lao Assistance Center, the Loft Literary Center and other organizations.

Also ...

•"The Historic St. Croix Valley: A Guided Tour," by Deborah Morse-Kahn, has been published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press. The guidebook covers the history and attractions on both the Minnesota and Wisconsin sides of the river.

•"Meanicures: Best Friends Forever. Or Not," by Catherine Clark, will be published in October by Egmont USA. Clark lives in Minneapolis and has written other novels for young teens.

•"Can't Sleep Without Sheep," a picture book by Susanne Leonard Hill, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka of Minneapolis, will be published in September by Walker & Co.

• "Vacation Days: Travels Across Minnesota and Farther Afield," by John Toren, has been published by Nodin Press. Toren is the author of "The Seven States of Minnesota." He will sign books at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Barnes & Noble in the HarMar Mall, Roseville.