National Writers Series is pleased to present Leif Enger, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Peace Like a River, in conversation with guest host Doug Stanton, also a bestselling author and NWS co-founder.
Leif will take the stage to talk about I Cheerfully Refuse, his newest book praised by author Kristin Hannah as “my favorite novel of the year.” It is a national bestseller and Amazon’s #9 “Top 20 Book Pick” of the year.
Set in a not-too-distant America, the novel tells the tale of Rainy, who sets sail on Lake Superior in search of his departed, deeply beloved, bookselling wife. On the water, he encounters lunatic storms and rising corpses from the warming depths. On land, he finds increasingly desperate and illiterate people, a malignant billionaire ruling class, crumbled infrastructure, and a lawless society.
Amidst the Gulliver-like challenges of life at sea and no safe landings, he is lifted by physical beauty, surprising humor, generous strangers, and an unexpected companion in a young girl who comes aboard. As time passes, Rainy’s private quest for the love of his life grows into something wider and wilder, sweeping up friends and foes alike in his strengthening wake.
EVENT DETAILS:
Doors open at 6 p.m. with live music and a cash bar, and the conversation begins at 7 p.m. This event includes a Q&A session, and an author signing event following in the lobby.
Book Release Date: April 1, 2025 – Traverse City locals who’d like to read the book in advance of the event may have the option to pick up their copy at Horizon Books. Instructions will be emailed to you after your purchase.
Additional City Opera House transaction fees are applied at checkout for in-person tickets.
Tier One indicates premium seating options with the best views, available on the main floor closest to the stage along with premium sections of the balcony.
Tier Two indicates standard seating options, available on the main floor and most of the balcony.
Individual Tickets:
Tier One: $42.50
Tier Two: $32.50
Admits one person to the live event and each ticket comes with one trade paperback edition of Leif Enger’s I Cheerfully Refuse (retail value $18). Signed copies are only available in-person at the live event.
Two-Ticket Package
Tier One: $69.50
Tier Two: $49.50
This two-ticket option admits two people to the live event and comes with one trade paperback edition of Leif Enger’s I Cheerfully Refuse (retail value $18). Perfect for couples or friends who want to share a book together. Signed copies are only available in-person at the live event.
Virtual Tickets
Even if you can’t make it to the City Opera House, you can still enjoy National Writers Series events from the comfort of your own home on event night or later on-demand when it’s more convenient.
Each Virtual Ticket includes a private YouTube link to the event, which begins at 6:50 PM. Virtual audience members can contribute questions to the Q&A through a moderated chat.
You have the option to buy the featured book for an additional fee. Shipping is available anywhere in the continental U.S. by our local bookstore partner Horizon Books of downtown Traverse City, Michigan. Actual costs applied at checkout. Signed copies are only available at the live-event.
Student Tickets: $10
No age restriction with a valid school ID, student tickets admit one person to the live event. Books are not included.
Pay What You Can: National Writers Series is dedicated to providing experiences and events to everyone who seeks them, and in that spirit, we are happy to provide a book to anyone who cannot afford to buy it. Thanks to our generous donors, you may use the code BookChampion (one word) for a complimentary book based on the honor system.
Group Tickets:
For discounted rates on ticket packages of 20 or more, please contact [email protected]
About Our Book Sales:
One of the most exciting parts of attending our events is getting a copy of the author’s latest book along with the chance to often meet the writer and have them personalize it after the event. National Writers Series audiences sometimes get early-access or preview editions of future best-sellers.
Each sale benefits our local partner Horizon Books in downtown Traverse City, Michigan. The bundled price of National Writers Series books is always 20% below retail, so you also get a great deal.
If you already own the featured book, the one you receive with your ticket makes a great gift for friends and family. Or you can donate it back to us at the National Writers Series, and we’ll distribute it to libraries and young writers in Northern Michigan.
National Writers Series author events are usually not suitable for children, unless noted.
Doug Stanton is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of In Harm’s Way and 12 Strong, made into a major motion picture by Jerry Bruckheimer, and The Odyssey of Echo Company. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The New York Times Book Review, Time, The Washington Post, Men’s Journal, The Daily Beast, Newsweek, Esquire, and Outside.
He was awarded the 2021 Steven Ambrose Oral History award. He attended Interlochen Arts Academy, Hampshire College, and received an MFA from the Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa. He created the National Writers Series in 2009 with his wife, Anne, and attorney Grant Parsons. He and Anne have three children and live in Traverse City.
National Writers Series
3301 Veterans Drive, Suite 214
Traverse City, MI 49684
EIN: 27-2470925
(231) 486-6868
[email protected]
2025
National Writers Series. All Rights Reserved.
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