Readings/signings for "The Thirteenth Crime"
April 22, 7:00 p.m. at the Otter Tail County Historical Museum, Fergus Falls - Book Launch
April 26, 11 - 1:00 pm. at Beagle and Wolf Bookstore, Park Rapids
July 19, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Turtle Town Books and Gifts, Nisswa
July 26, 12-2:00 p.m. at Once Upon a Crime, Minneapolis
July 29, 6:30 p.m. at Big Pine Books, Perham
August 4, 6:00 p.m. at The Bookstore at Fitgers, Duluth, time t.b.d.
October 11, 11:00 a.m.at the Wadena Pubic Library
... more to come!
Janet Preus is an editor, writer, playwright, lyricist/songwriter. She’s been a teacher of English, speech and theater and directed dozens of plays, musicals and light opera productions.
She’s won national awards for songwriting, and as a reporter and editor, she won state awards in broadcast and print journalism. She lives in her cabin in the north woods, where you'll find her hiking or skiing in the woods every day she can.
RECENTLY ...
"The Thirteenth Crime: The Ghosts of Injustice in Frontier Otter Tail County, Minnesota," her first book, published by Rocket Science Press, Winona, Minn., and released April 2025.
Producer and director of the regional premiere of "Water from Snow," book and lyrics by Janet Preus, music by Janet Preus, Robert Elhai and Fred Steele, in April 2025 at Rail River Folk School, Bemidji. That's the basics, but wow, what an experience!
Here are some audience comments:
- It was hilarious but also moving and heartwarming.
- I appreciate how the songs are integral to the story and not just thrown in gratuitously, or as an afterthought.
- Brilliant! Not your average sugar-coated musical! Compelling and worthwhile!
- The music – both the songs and execution of them as astounding! Wonderful!
- I most connected with Annie. Teenage angst follows you forever.
- Nice balance of drama and comedy
- The music … so powerful.
- The show was excellent. I hope you do it again!
Directed my play, "Hank & Jesus" for Prairie Wind Players in Barrett, Minn., December 2024
I've enjoyed performing original songs at Open Mics around the area. I had a great time as the featured performer at The Watershed in Walker in August, and hosted the Headwaters Coffee House Open Mic in September. Last winter I participated in a songwriters circle, Loonbird Cafe, at Table for 7, Bemidji with three other singer/songwriters. Memories of Nashville!