The Great Lakes Writers Festival, held Thursday, Nov. 3 and Friday, Nov. 4, brought forth readings from two featured authors as well as workshops held by faculty members and the authors themselves.

Festival host and professor of creative writing Karl Elder kicked off the event by introducing the introducers of the featured writers.

Karalee Manis, senior writing major, introduced Joe Wilkins, author of “The Mountain and the Fathers.” Wilkins began by reading excerpts from his memoir.

David Steingass followed him, being introduced by Luke Ulatowski, sophomore writing major. Steingass read some of his poems with the first being “Bigfoot’s Back in Town” from his latest book called “Hunt & Gather: Poems New and Selected.”

The Thursday night portion of the festival brought a group of community members, faculty and students to the lounge as the authors read some of their poems.

Afterwards, attendees participated in an open mic, sharing a plethora of works such as essays and senior projects.

On Friday, the authors and Lakeland faculty opened up writing workshops for high school students, followed by Steingass teaching one to the community.