Empire's Anne Marie Oomen to receive Library of Michigan Author Award

EMPIRE — Empire author Anne-Marie Oomen will be honored by the Library of Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 7.

Oomen, of Empire in Northern Lower Michigan, is the founding editor of “Dunes Review,” former president of Michigan Writers, Inc., and instructor at Solstice MFA in Creative Writing at Lasell University in Massachusetts and at Interlochen College of Creative Arts.

Her 2022 memoir “As Long as I Know, You, the Mom Book,” won the Association of Writers & Writing Programs’ Sue William Silverman nonfiction award, a Michigan Notable Book Award in 2023, and a Silver IPPY.

The event will feature a presentation from Oomen and remarks by State Librarian Mr. Randy Riley. Food and refreshments will be provided. The event is free to attend and open to the public, space is limited and attendees are required to register online by Aug. 20.

The Michigan Author Award was established in 1992 with the intention of recognizing significant Michigan authors with a lifetime achievement award. Previously developed by the Michigan Library Association, the award is now facilitated by the Library of Michigan and the Michigan Center for the Book.

“The Long Fields: Essays of Comfort and Home” is her latest work. Other Michigan Notable Book selections authored by Oomen include “Pulling Down the Barn,” “House of Fields,” and “The Lake Michigan Mermaid” (with Linda Nemec Foster).

Her edited work “ELEMENTAL: A Collection of Michigan Nonfiction” was a Michigan Notable Book title. Additional works included “American Map: Essays, Uncoded Woman,” and “Love, Sex and 4-H.” Additional works include seven plays as well as scripts for two video projects.

The Library of Michigan is an agency within the Michigan Department of Education and is dedicated to providing the people of this state and their government one perpetual institution to collect, preserve and provide access to the story of the State, and to support libraries in their role as community anchors.

More information about Anne-Marie Oomen and her works may be found on her website .

For more information or questions about the Michigan Author Award, contact the Library of Michigan at 517-335-1477, click here or email Librarian@Michigan.gov