March 31, 2008
by Frank Imhoff

More than 250 Lutheran writers gathered for a weekend of worship, keynote addresses, readings, workshops and panel discussions at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, one of 28 colleges and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. An outcome of "Called to Create: A Lutheran Festival of Writing" was the birth of the Lutheran Writers Project and the Lutheran Writers Book Club, now at http://www.lutheranwriters.org/ on the Web.

The Lutheran Writers Project provides resources and event planning for writers, readers and such institutions as churches, schools and churchwide organizations. The project will list Lutheran authors and information about their Web sites, upcoming and recent publications, tour schedules and events. Advancing an online version of poet Jim Bodeen's "Poetry Pole," the project will provide space for participants to share their poems.

The Lutheran Writers Book Club will recommend a new book to readers every other month, forming a bridge between Lutheran writers and readers. It will include readers' guides, interviews with authors, and readers' reviews and recommendations. Initial selections include "The Book of the Dun Cow" by Walt Wangerin, "The Madhouse Nudes" by Robert Schultz and "A Song for Nettie Johnson" by Gloria Sawai.

ELCA News Service