By Mary Ann Grossmann
SALLY FRANSON: Minnesota author discusses her novels 鈥淏ig In Sweden鈥 and 鈥淎 Lady鈥檚 Guide to Selling Out鈥 in the Union Depot鈥檚 Stories at the Station reading series presented by Story Line Books. Free. 6 p.m. Thursday, Union Depot, 214 E. Fourth St., St. Paul.
JONATHAN HIGGINS: Presents 鈥淔at, Black, Femme鈥 in conversation with Chris Stedman. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Magers & Quinn, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls.
MARIS KRETZMAN: Cultural critic discusses her debut essay collection, 鈥淚 Want to Burn This Place Down,鈥 in conversation with Steph Opitz. 7 p.m. Thursday, Magers & Quinn, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls.
TODD OTIS: Former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives discusses his novel 鈥淪parks of the Revolution: James Otis and the Birth of American Democracy,鈥 inspired by his distant ancestor鈥檚 participation in actions that led to the American Revolution. In conversation with David Unowsky. 7 p.m. Tuesday, SubText Books, 6 W. Fifth St., St. Paul.
MIDSTREAM READING SERIES: Readings of original works by Donna Isaac, Jim Johnson, Paula Cisewski and Diego Vasques Jr., hosted by Diane Jarvenpa. Free. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Unity Church-Unitarian, 732 Holly Ave., St. Paul.
What else is going on?
Community of Literary Magazines and Presses awarded the 2025 Firecracker award to 鈥淥bligations to the Wounded鈥 by Minnesota writer Mubanga Kalimamukwento (University of Pittsburgh Press). Judges for the awards, which celebrate the best of independently published literature, wrote of the novel: 鈥淪eldom does fiction so expertly capture the complications of queerness, family, dislocation, and culture鈥 a stunning work of compassionate art worthy of our attention and emotions.鈥 Kalimamukwento founded Ubwali Literary Magazine, co-founded the virtual Idembeka Creative Writing Workshop and is a mentor at the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop.