Each day leading up to the 30th annual Minnesota Book Awards Ceremony, we’ll be featuring an exclusive interview with one of our 36 finalists. Learn more about these incredible local writers and gear up to see the winners announced live in person April 21.
Interview with Roberta Walburn, author of
Miles Lord: The Maverick Judge Who Brought Corporate America to Justice
Category: Minnesota Nonfiction, sponsored by Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
A great honor—fun and exciting!
What does writing mean to you?
To me, the creative process is mysterious and thrilling, and written word the most beautiful and impactful means of communication.
Why are stories important for our communities?
Our stories are our history. From our stories, we learn from our past, we learn from each other, we gain insights and inspiration and an understanding of who we are, where we’ve been, and the choices of paths going forward.
Tell us something people might not know about you.
Ha! I better be careful here! How about this: Before I knew how to write—sometime before I started kindergarten—I used to fill up notebooks with make-believe handwriting, scrawling page after page of gibberish squiggles. My proud mother saved the books.
What do you love about libraries?
I have such great memories of libraries, starting when I was a young girl and my parents would take me and my sisters and brother to the small-town library every Saturday morning. The library was in an old house. We’d roam through the rooms and stacks seeking joy and adventure. Today, libraries are a tremendous resource evolving to meet the needs of people from all walks—and all stages—of life.
More about Roberta Walburn:
Roberta Walburn is an attorney and former journalist based in Minneapolis. She has been named among the most influential members of the legal profession in state history and recognized by the University of Minnesota for “shaping the legal landscape for the benefit of society.” Previously, she worked as a reporter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune and as a legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone. She also served as a law clerk to U.S. District Judge Miles Lord.
See the winners announced live at the 30th annual Minnesota Book Awards Ceremony!
