On October 10th, 2025, Alida was presented the Minnesota Author Project 2025 Adult Fiction Award at the Minnesota Library Association Conference in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Librarians across the state voted for Murder in Skoghall, and Alida could not be more honored by, or proud of, this recognition.

With sincere thanks:

“Librarians serve readers with personal, unbiased recommendations, and this award means so much to me.

Before I was a writer, I was a reader. Libraries are a tremendous asset to every community. I can’t imagine life as a reader – let alone as a writer – without them.”

-Alida Winternheimer

The Skoghall Mystery Series

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Alida Winternheimer & Catherine Lyon, authors, stand before a bookcase full of books.

In this week’s episode of the Story Works Round Table, Alida answers questions all about subplots. This is a recording of our monthly Ask Alida live Q&A over on Substack! Make sure you join us next time to get your questions answered and enjoy a fun chat about writing craft! In this episode, we talk about subplots, what they are, why they are important, and how to best utilize them in your writing!

AUDIO

TRANSCRIPT

This transcript is AI generated. If you notice any inconsistencies or errors, blame the bot.

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About Your Hosts

Alida Winternheimer is an award-winning author with an MFA in writing from Hamline University. She pursues her fervor for all things story as a writing coach, developmental editor, and teacher. Three times nominated for the Pushcart Prize, she is also a notable in Best American Essays and winner of the Page Turner Award. Author of The Story Works Guide to Writing Fiction Series, Alida lives and writes in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She camps, bikes, and kayaks in her free time. Unless it’s winter, in which case she drinks chai by the fire. You can find more at www.alidawinternheimer.com.

Kathryn Arnold writes fantasy and anything else that sparks her creativity from her home in Kingston, Washington. She currently earns her living as an insurance underwriting assistant, where she also creates marketing and web copy. When not writing, she plays (and teaches) piano and keyboard in a band (or two), and is working on starting a ministry team with her husband. You can find Kathryn at www.skyfirewords.com.

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