TRAVERSE CITY — Columnist, disability activist, college instructor and blogger Susan Odgers will receive the Bill Montgomery Literary Service award from the National Writers Series at its April 7 author event, featuring international bestselling author Don Winslow.
Susan has served as host for the NWS multiple times, most recently for Jeannette Walls, bestselling author of The Glass Castle. Susan is known for being a courageous interviewer who asks questions that get to the heart of an author's writing. When she’s not moderating, you can always count on Odgers to ask a penetrating question on behalf of the Michigan Writers for which she serves as president.
NWS director Anne Stanton highlights that Susan most notably writes poignant columns about challenges disabled people face in her Traverse City Record-Eagle article titled “Adapted in TC,” which has been published weekly since 2008.
“Her columns are real and honest and reflect both her resilience and humanity. She doesn’t pull punches. Susan goes way beyond the issues of wheelchair access, helping you think about everyday life and assumptions in a way that you might otherwise never think about,” Stanton said. “Now she is writing a blog about fighting breast cancer and courageously talks about the financial challenges and nightmare of health insurance."
This is the sixth year NWS has given out the honor, which includes a $500 financial award for the first time. It’s awarded in memory of Bill Montgomery, a businessman and author who wrote a heartfelt book about his valiant battle with cancer. He gave the NWS wise guidance as a board member and made significant contributions to the Traverse City community. He was awarded the honor posthumously in January 2018.
The award will be presented prior to the stage conversation with Don Winslow and bestselling author and NWS founder Doug Stanton, who will serve as guest host.
Susan Odgers is a past president of RPM's Keeweenaw Storytelling Center and a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. She's also taught psychology at Northwestern Michigan College since 1989. Twice, she was awarded the Wayne State University Thomas Rumble Doctoral Fellowship. In 2020, she ran for the Board of Governors for her alma mater, and earned just shy of 100,000 votes statewide. A psychology professor and counseling psychologist by training and experience, she’s a social justice activist in her community. A Ragdale Fellow in 2017 and 2019, she’s currently working on a nonfiction book.
About the National Writers Series
The National Writers Series is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing world-renowned authors to Northern Michigan. Founded in 2010 by reporter Anne Stanton, New York Times bestselling author Doug Stanton, and attorney Grant Parsons, NWS has hosted more than 250 authors including luminaries like Margaret Atwood, Tom Brokaw, Alice Walker, Scott Turow, Gillian Flynn and Ann Patchett.
Over 70,000 people have attended our events throughout the years, and we’ve helped sell over 20,000 books through local bookstores. Most of our live events take place at the historic City Opera House in Traverse City, while our virtual events are available around the world via YouTube live-streaming.
Our author events fuel our Raising Writers programs, which help students express themselves, explore the world through reading, develop their imaginations, and think critically. NWS also awards scholarships each year. Learn more at nationalwritersseries.org.
Susan has served as host for the NWS multiple times, most recently for Jeannette Walls, bestselling author of The Glass Castle. Susan is known for being a courageous interviewer who asks questions that get to the heart of an author's writing. When she’s not moderating, you can always count on Odgers to ask a penetrating question on behalf of the Michigan Writers for which she serves as president.
NWS director Anne Stanton highlights that Susan most notably writes poignant columns about challenges disabled people face in her Traverse City Record-Eagle article titled “Adapted in TC,” which has been published weekly since 2008.
“Her columns are real and honest and reflect both her resilience and humanity. She doesn’t pull punches. Susan goes way beyond the issues of wheelchair access, helping you think about everyday life and assumptions in a way that you might otherwise never think about,” Stanton said. “Now she is writing a blog about fighting breast cancer and courageously talks about the financial challenges and nightmare of health insurance."
This is the sixth year NWS has given out the honor, which includes a $500 financial award for the first time. It’s awarded in memory of Bill Montgomery, a businessman and author who wrote a heartfelt book about his valiant battle with cancer. He gave the NWS wise guidance as a board member and made significant contributions to the Traverse City community. He was awarded the honor posthumously in January 2018.
The award will be presented prior to the stage conversation with Don Winslow and bestselling author and NWS founder Doug Stanton, who will serve as guest host.
Susan Odgers is a past president of RPM's Keeweenaw Storytelling Center and a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. She's also taught psychology at Northwestern Michigan College since 1989. Twice, she was awarded the Wayne State University Thomas Rumble Doctoral Fellowship. In 2020, she ran for the Board of Governors for her alma mater, and earned just shy of 100,000 votes statewide. A psychology professor and counseling psychologist by training and experience, she’s a social justice activist in her community. A Ragdale Fellow in 2017 and 2019, she’s currently working on a nonfiction book.
About the National Writers Series
The National Writers Series is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing world-renowned authors to Northern Michigan. Founded in 2010 by reporter Anne Stanton, New York Times bestselling author Doug Stanton, and attorney Grant Parsons, NWS has hosted more than 250 authors including luminaries like Margaret Atwood, Tom Brokaw, Alice Walker, Scott Turow, Gillian Flynn and Ann Patchett.
Over 70,000 people have attended our events throughout the years, and we’ve helped sell over 20,000 books through local bookstores. Most of our live events take place at the historic City Opera House in Traverse City, while our virtual events are available around the world via YouTube live-streaming.
Our author events fuel our Raising Writers programs, which help students express themselves, explore the world through reading, develop their imaginations, and think critically. NWS also awards scholarships each year. Learn more at nationalwritersseries.org.
RSS Feed
