TD Mischke, author of Winter’s Song: A Hymn to the North
Emilie Buchwald Award for Minnesota Nonfiction Category, sponsored by Annette and John Whaley
Each week leading up to the 36th annual Minnesota Book Awards, we are featuring exclusive interviews with our finalists. You can also watch the authors in conversation with their fellow category finalists here.
What is one detail you wanted to include in this book, but couldn’t find a place for?
Can’t think of anything I would have liked to include but did not.
Tell us about someone who proved instrumental to the creation of this book.
My wife, Rosie O’Brien, a former book editor at Graywolf Press.
Tell us about a favorite read from the past year. Why did you find it enjoyable, insightful, or memorable?
Fernando Pessoa’s book entitled The Book of Disquiet. A most astounding and fascinatingly voyeuristic peek into the inner workings of a busy and jumbled human mind.
Please tell us something about yourself that is not widely known.
When I drive through neighborhoods, wherever I am, I try to drive through as many alleys as I can. I don’t prefer the streets, which are obviously more convenient. I prefer alleys, always.
Share your thoughts about the role and value of libraries.
Books are terribly expensive. We can’t only wish for the affluent to devour our literature. Public libraries say to a community, “Reading books is not just important, it’s necessary to becoming more fully alive as a human being.”
TD Mischke is a writer, musician, podcaster, and former radio talk show host on WCCO NewsRadio 830 based in Minneapolis. He was formerly employed as a weekly columnist at City Pages, a Twin Cities alternative news, arts, and entertainment publication.