Saturday, June 27, 2026
Upper Hand Brewery
3525 Airport Road, Escanaba, MI 49829
A Short Story...
A partnership formed by the collaboration of people who believe that reading is fundamental, who value learning through shared stories and human connection, and who know how to pair it all with awesome craft beers, ciders, & seltzers. Tovar Co. & Upper Hand Brewery are bringing together dozens of book and bookish vendors, writers’ workshops, food trucks, & live music performances for our first ever, family-friendly, Boozy Book Fair.
906.748.9466
The DEtails & Schedule
The day will be filled with live music from U.P. artists, food by local food trucks, workshops hosted by experienced authors and members of the publishing community, and read-alongs for different age groups throughout the day.
Just some of the things you can do at the Boozy Book Fair:
Chat with over 30 book and bookish vendors, hear their stories, and support their writings and works
Bring your kids to our Read-Along Lounge and connect with them over a good story
Buy a book (or 10!)
Grab some awesome food & drinks from Wildmans Munchie Mobile, Smokeshow BBQ, or Drinkies
Get a tarot reading
Food Trucks
Time
11:00am - 11:30am
11:30am - 12:00pm
12:00pm - 12:30pm
12:30pm - 1:00pm
1:00pm - 1:30pm
1:30pm - 2:00pm
2:00pm - 2:30pm
2:30pm - 3:00pm
3:00pm - 3:30pm
3:30pm - 4:00pm
4:00pm - 4:30pm
4:30pm - 5:00pm
5:00pm - 5:30pm
5:30pm - 6:00pm
6:00pm - 6:30pm
6:30pm - 7:00pm
7:00pm - 7:30pm
7:30pm - 8:00pm
8:00pm - 8:30pm
8:30pm - 9:00pm
Event & Location Details
Upper Hand Brewery opens @ 11:00am
Workshop w/Karen: Fiona Finds Her Purpose - Putting Your Ideas on Paper
The Lounge
(2:15pm - 3:00pm)
Storytime - The Lounge - (3:15pm - 3:30pm)
Workshop w/Maryann: “I’ve Written My Story. Now What?”
The Lounge
(3:45pm - 4:30pm)
Storytime - The Lounge - (4:45pm - 5:15pm)
Workshop w/Ellen: The “Why?” “How?” and “Benefits?” of Journaling
The Lounge
(5:30pm - 6:15pm)
Upper Hand Brewery closes at 9:00pm
Definitely drink a beer, hard cider, or hard seltzer
Sit in on one or all of 3 workshops on how to get started as a writer or how to get your next book published
Make a few new friends, or reconnect with some old ones
Go on a Blind Date With a Book in our Outdoor Reading Refuge, sponsored by Bay College
Live mUsic
Brian Wallen
12:00pm - 2:00pm
The Lark Brothers
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Boozy Book Fair
The Field
(2:00pm - 6:00pm)
6:30pm - 9:00pm
Live Music
Brian Wallen
The Wedge
(12:00pm - 2:00pm)
Live Music
The Lark Brothers Band
The Yard
(3:00pm - 5:00pm)
Live Music
The Governors
The Yard
(6:30pm - 9:00pm)
Grab a few bookmarks and some stickers
Don’t let anyone tell you that you have too many books
Grab a free book from Missy at the Read Up Bookmobile
Listen to some live music by local U.P. artists Brian Wallen, the Lark Brothers Band, and the Governors
The Governors
Our Sponsors
The Workshops
Ellen Lord
Ready to give your brain a tune-up without doing yoga in public? Join poet and workshop facilitator Ellen Lord for “Journaling: Why & How?” A fun, relaxed session where you’ll learn why journaling is good for your mental health, try a couple of easy writing exercises, and discover how to make journaling a habit you actually enjoy. No experience needed, no sharing required, and beverages are encouraged. Come for the writing, stay for the self-discovery.
Journaling: Why & How?"Because sometimes your brain needs a place to put things...and sometimes that place is a notebook." - Ellen Lord
Journaling Helps With
Stress reduction
Emotional clarity
What we’ll do together
Creativity boosts
Learn why journaling actually works (yes, science approves)
Try two short, judgement-free writing exercises
Explore different journaling styles
Build a practice you can keep going at home
Laugh a little, breathe a little, write a little
Collecting the "Flavors" of WritingKaren Rieser
Be guided through a 20-30 minute presentation discussing the writing process beginning with the collection of ideas all the way up to publication. Karen Rieser, author of “Fiona Finds Her Purpose: A Story of a Black Lab, Two African Wild Dog Pups, and their Brief Encounter” and “Aiden's Tree: The Story of a Fir Tree, a Boy and the Mackinac Ice Bridge,” is eager to discuss how she tackles the writing process that’s approachable for all age groups.
“I have currently had two children’s books, one young adult through adult title, and one adult non-fiction book published. Mission Point Press has published my works of fiction, the non-fiction title is self-published. In October I hope to have a third children’s book, Mrs. Milli Mason’s Messy Trip To Town, A Michigan Farm Tale, published by Sea Star Books, available for sale.” - Karen Rieser
"I compare the writing process to the building of an ice cream sundae." - Karen Rieser
Maryann Lesert
Ready to Seek Publication?Better sleep
Fewer “Why did I say that out loud?” moments
What you won’t need
Writing talent
A perfect childhood
A leather-bound journal that costs more than your car
To share anything you write (ever)
What you might need
Curiosity
A pen
A beverage
A willingness to be surprised by your own mind
Take-Home Goodies
Whether you are submitting stories to a literary magazine or seeking an agent or editor for your book, learning the basic components of a “query letter” is a good start. We’ll look at the basics that writers use and tweak often:
Identifying why an agent or publication is a good match for your work;
Writing a 2-3 sentence synopsis; and
Preparing an author bio
A set of prompts
A few techniques
A calmer nervous system
Possibly a new favorite way to unwind
The Vendors
Katherine Sweet-Ordiway
Email: katherinesweet@sweettaleswithspice.com
Phone: (517) 930-3638
Josephine JOrdin
Email: josephinejordin@gmail.com
Phone: (231) 878-1958
Jordan Bloom
Email: jordanbloombooks@gmail.com
Phone: (734) 846-7528
Lisa dorvinen
Email: ldorvinen@gmail.com
Phone: (936) 217-9205
David Golden
Email: davidgoldenauthor@gmail.com
Phone: (616) 826-7962
Jennifer Pease
Email: authorjenniferpease.com
Phone: (920) 284-1604
Ellen Lord
Email: ellenlordcs@gmail.com
Phone: (231) 883-7738
Maryann Lesert
Email: maryann@maryannlesert.com
Phone: (616) 710-9875
Lisa Fosmo
Email: lrfosmo@gmail.com
Phone: (906) 399-4936
Emily Blair
Email: erhodes9471@yahoo.com
Phone: (586) 231-4785
Ann Dahlman
Business Name: Ellen Lord - Author
What they offer: Poetry, Novels, Short Stories
Business Name: Maryann Lesert - Author
What they offer: Michigan-based Novels
Business Name: Lisa Fosmo - Author
What they offer: Books, Bookish Accessories
Carmen Perry
Email: cpemt276@gmail.com
Phone: (906) 869-2586
Business Name: Perry Farm & Bakery
What they offer: Blind Date w/ a Book, Kindle Book Sleeves, Book-themed Candles, Tote Bags
Liz Norris
Email: missprintsmqt@gmail.com
Phone: (906) 235-4894
Business Name: Miss Prints LLC
What they offer: Blind Date w/ a Book, Bookshelf Dividers, Book Counters
Rachael Hilliard
Email: admin@rachaelhilliard.com
Phone: (231) 203-4105
Business Name: Blair’s Books
What they offer: Blind Date w/ a Book, Kindle Book Sleeves, Book-themed Candles, Tote Bags
Business Name: Dust & Blush Bookshop
What they offer: Blind Date w/ a Book, Stickers, Bookish Merch, Bookmarks, Apparel
Chelsea Goodrich
Email: sugarpopchic@gmail.com
Phone: (906) 368-0677
Brad Gischia
Email: bgischia@nmu.edu
Phone: (906) 235-3655
Email: mgbearss@gmail.com
Phone: (952) 818-9986
Business Name: lisadorvinen.com
What they offer: Children’s Books Ages 3-7
Business Name: Jennifer Pease - Author
What they offer:
Business Name: Brad Gischia Illustration
What they offer: Comic Books, Children’s Books, Original Art, Commissions
Mark G. Bearss
Email: cvbroughman@gmail.com
Phone: (231) 330-0567
Emily Smith
Email:
Phone:
Missy Derby
Email: readup.bookmobile@gmail.com
Phone: (906) 204-9406
Kathreen Francis
Email: kathreen.francis@gmail.com
Phone: (517) 214-0766
Micheal Peach
Email:
Phone: (989) 948-8248
Karen Reiser
Email: krieser19@att.net
Phone: (269) 330-0535
W. Patrick Winton
Email: pwinton1982@gmail.com
Phone: (937) 477-6859
Larissa Wandahsega
Email:
Phone:
Email: justinwhite09@gmail.com
Phone: (920) 412-8412
Erin Fragel
Email: fragelerin@gmail.com
Phone: (810) 363-8823
Alyssa Lauseng
Email: alausengauthor@gmail.com
Phone: (906) 440-3475
Business Name: Sweet Tales with Spice
What they offer: Books, Bookmarks, Stickers
Business Name: Josephine Jordin - Author
What they offer: Romantic suspense novels
Business Name: Jordan Bloom Books
What they offer: Romance novels
Business Name: David Golden - Author
What they offer:
Business Name: Sugarpop Chic
What they offer: Book Journals, Stickers, Bookmarks, Keychains
Business Name: Mark G. Bearss - Author
What they offer: Historical Fiction / Mystery, “Cain’s Chameleon” (Michigan Setting)
Chad V. Broughman
Business Name: Chad V. Broughman - Author
What they offer: “The Fall of Bellweather”
Business Name: Knotty Noodles
What they offer: Crochet Book Accessories
Business Name: Read Up Bookmobile
What they offer: Books
Justin White
Business Name: The Paper Mill Bookstore
What they offer: Bookstore / Bookish Accessories
Business Name: M Kelly Peach Books
What they offer: Novels
Business Name: Karen Reiser - Author
What they offer: Books
Business Name: W. Patrick Winton - Author
What they offer:
Business Name:
What they offer: Crochet Items
Business Name: Falling Rock Cafe & Bookstore
What they offer: Books, Bookish Accessories
Business Name: Erin Fragel - Author
What they offer: Horror Novels & Tarot Card Readings
Business Name: Alyssa Lauseng - Author
What they offer: Dark Fantasy
Email:
Phone:
Business Name: Ann Dahlman - Author
What they offer: The Cady Series
Kelly Tovar
Email: thetovarco@gmail.com
Phone: (906) 399-2308
Business Name: Little Bird Books
What they offer: Blind Date w/ a Book, Personalized Children’s Books