SALLY FRANSON >> Minnesota author discusses her novels “Big In Sweden” and “A Lady’s Guide to Selling Out” in the Union Depot’s Stories at the Station reading series presented by Story Line Books. Free. 6 p.m. Thursday, Union Depot, 214 E. Fourth St., St. Paul.

JONATHAN HIGGINS >> Presents “Fat, Black, Femme” in conversation with Chris Stedman. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Magers & Quinn, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls.

MARIS KRETZMAN >> Cultural critic discusses her debut essay collection, “I Want to Burn This Place Down,” in conversation with Steph Opitz. 7 p.m. Thursday, Magers & Quinn, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls.

TODD OTIS >> Former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives discusses his novel “Sparks of the Revolution: James Otis and the Birth of American Democracy,” inspired by his distant ancestor’s participation in actions that led to the American Revolution. In conversation with David Unowsky. 7 p.m. Tuesday, SubText Books, 6 W. Fifth St., St. Paul.

MIDSTREAM READING SERIES >> Readings of original works by Donna Isaac, Jim Johnson, Paula Cisewski and Diego Vasques Jr., hosted by Diane Jarvenpa. Free. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Unity Church-Unitarian, 732 Holly Ave., St. Paul.

What else is going on?

Community of Literary Magazines and Presses awarded the 2025 Firecracker award to “Obligations to the Wounded” by Minnesota writer Mubanga Kalimamukwento (University of Pittsburgh Press). Judges for the awards, which celebrate the best of independently published literature, wrote of the novel: “Seldom does fiction so expertly capture the complications of queerness, family, dislocation, and culture… a stunning work of compassionate art worthy of our attention and emotions.” Kalimamukwento founded Ubwali Literary Magazine, co-founded the virtual Idembeka Creative Writing Workshop and is a mentor at the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop.