06/13/2026
Michigan Author Steve Brown to Perform Poetry and Offer Writing Workshop in June
Michigan author and former Beaver Island artist-in-residence Steve Brown will be returning to hold a reading of his poetry and artist talk at Beaver Island District Library at 7pm on Friday, June 26th, and a workshop that is open for public sign-up from noon-4pm on Saturday, June 27th. Brown’s return is sponsored by BIDL and SeedKeepers which hosted him as artist-in-residence at Apple Blossom Farm in 2025.
Brown’s poetry has been noted for being liked by those who normally don’t read poetry. He writes in plain and direct English about challenging human stories in real landscapes. A major focus of Brown’s writing is Michigan, ranging from Rust Belt landscapes in Detroit and Kalamazoo, to the beloved Michigan rivers and lakes he fishes. Brown writes with equally deep insights about gardening as he does about his process of sobriety and experiences with spirituality and faith. His public readings are known to be highly engaging of audience members because he recites his work from memory and intersperses topics such as the craft of writing and his own autobiography, which involves working blue collar jobs, white collar jobs, a decade of marriage to his husband, seven years living in Germany and England, publishing, and much more.
Brown’s workshop on Saturday is titled Human/Nature: Writing Poems About the Real World. In a supportive environment, adult workshop participants of all levels and experience will be introduced to several poems from the instructor’s three books of poetry and guided on exercises to write poetry that observes the fascinating interactions of people and natural landscapes. Participants will be encouraged to use their imagination from family histories and life experiences, and will be given prompts to spark new pieces of writing. There will be ample time to share writings and get coaching on reading technique. Participants will leave with at least the kernels of two new poems.
The workshop is sponsored by BIDL and is free and open to the public. Interested participants should arrive at BIDL at 11:45 to start promptly at noon. Adults and motivated high schoolers are welcome.
About the Author
Steve Brown was born in Flint, Michigan, and studied art in Detroit and Germany, where his essay collection Glänze, Gespenst! was published. He is the author of the poetry collections Trample & Sew, News of Need, and Fellowship (2026). He has published essays and stories, which have garnered two Pushcart Prize nominations, in Witness, Black Warrior Review, Tusculum Review, DIAGRAM, Dunes Review, and elsewhere. He is also an award-winning visual artist and accomplished performer. Since 2017 he has led a charitable foundation he helped create that works to reduce poverty in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He is a board member of Michigan Writers.
Stevenmatthewbrown.com
