History is forgotten if it is not recorded. That simple idea has always been important, but never more so than right now, when there are cultural and political forces hard at work trying to erase our stories as LGBTQ+ individuals, stories of struggle and oppression but also stories of pride and perseverance. This workshop, geared towards older members of the LGBTQ+ community but open to all and to writers of all levels, will explore ways in which we can tell and preserve our stories. Through generative writing exercises and discussion, we’ll consider how our own experiences can serve as building blocks for storytelling, whether it’s through poetry, fiction, or non-fiction. Participants can expect lots of time for writing, brainstorming, reflection, and questions!

Gary Eldon Peter is the author of the short story collection Oranges, recipient of the Gold Medal for LGBTQ+ fiction in the Independent Publisher Book Awards and the Midwest Book Award, and the novel The Complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen, which received the Minnesota Book Award, the Foreword Reviews INDIE Book of the Year Award, and the Whippoorwill Book Award. It was also was named one of the best books of 2022 by National Public Radio. The recipient of grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the McKnight Foundation, he recently retired after 21 years as a faculty member at the University of Minnesota. He lives in Saint Paul with his partner and is at work on his third book, a collection of essays. You can find out more about Gary and his work at garyeldonpeter.com.

Gary Eldon Peter is a fiscal year 2025 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.