West Side Writers group to publish latest anthology

By Tim Spitzack | Editor | June 2026

Of the 10 stories selected for the recent 2026 Minnesota Digital Library Creative Writing Showcase competition two were from the West Side Writers Group, which was formed in 2023 and meets weekly at the Riverview Library, 1. E. George St. Included were Suzanne Hequet’s “Riverview Library: My Place of Solace” and Steve Linstrom’s short story “Bullet Holes.” Both are longtime members of the group, and each credits the group with improving their skills.

“It has really energized my writing in that I’ve got an audience and it’s a reason to get writing done,” said Linstrom at a recent meeting. “I’ve always learned something from the group. If we’ve gone through my piece, there’s always been something that is improved.”

Linstrom is the group’s most seasoned writer. He has a master’s degree in English Studies, has published two novels and several short stories, and taught writing at Southwest Minnesota State University for several years before retiring to St. Paul. The other members have varying degrees of writing experience, and their backgrounds are diverse: teacher, accountant, historian, counselor, performance artist and more. Most live on the West Side, and many are retired and pursing writing as a creative outlet or to achieve a dream of being published.

“I’m a nonfiction writer who is struggling to write a fiction book at the moment,” said Jamie Barker. “I’ve been bringing chapters in here and it’s been so helpful. I typically take notes on everything they tell me then I go back and change things and move them around, and almost every time I think, ‘Oh, yeah, they were right.’”

The size of the group has slowly grown over the years, now numbering around 10 at each meeting. The format is casual and friendly, and each participant can present their work for review. Each week two or three submissions are selected, and the author reads theirs aloud while the others follow along with a printed copy.

When finished, members share feedback about something that was meaningful to them – a turn of phrase, a plot twist, engaging dialogue – or ask questions, which often help the writer determine if something needs to be reworked.

The group is moderated by Isaac Mielke, Riverview’s adult services librarian, and is open to anyone who wants to improve their creative writing skills. Mielke and other members also share resources for getting published, entering contests or writing workshops, and more.

“I think this group is the best of what public libraries have to offer,” said Mielke. “It’s people of different backgrounds coming together and building community in the pursuit of lifelong learning. No one is in this for money or glory. People are here because it’s fun and is a good way to meet other people and try something new.”

In late May or early June, the group will publish its 2026 West Side Writers Anthology, a digital collection that showcases the work of its members. Last year was the first time they published an anthology (https://mlpp.pressbooks.pub/showcase/), and the group now plans to do it annually to help members publicly share their work.

“The diversity of readership [at the group] has really helped me a lot,” said Hequet. “I love the anthology…and am surprised that we keep getting feedback on it. This platform has a West Side flavor to it.”

The group meets at 2 p.m. each Wednesday in the library’s basement meeting room and most meetings end within an hour. However, people may linger there longer, and some have even wandered down to the nearby Wabasha Brewery for a private literary discussion. For more information on the group, contact Mielke at 651- 292-6626 or isaac.mielke@ci.stpaul.mn.us.

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