I Never Imagined It

South Milwaukee Public Library

It’s amazing how certain events in your life harbor so much meaning.

I remember as a child spending many, many, MANY enchanted hours reading on the bean bags at the kids’ corner of the South Milwaukee Public Library. I used to ride my bike the half hour to get there to happily satisfy my demanding reading habit, delighting in Peanuts and Moby Dick alike.

This Wednesday, December 2nd, I will cherish the immense honor of presenting there, my hometown library. Starting at 6:30, I’ll present an excerpt and talk with readers about my fantasy novel, God Awful Loser, a signed copy of which is on the library shelves.

I will admit that my childhood self never imagined presenting as an author in the building in which I traipsed so often. I loved reading; books were, to me, worldly educators, understanding friends, and foolhardy daredevils. As a child, I never imagined writing books. As an adult writing a part of my novel at the SM library, I had to smile at going full circle from reader to writer.

Thank you, South Milwaukee Public Library, for welcoming me — at any age.

Mixing with Librarians and Other Book Lovers

I had a great time this week meeting the most dedicated book lovers and readers around. Thursday, I was honored to speak about writing and publishing at the Wisconsin Library Association’s Annual Conference. Here we are, left to right: Columbus (WI) Library Director and Panel Moderator Cindy Fesemyer and Authors Valerie Biel, me, and Zachary Howe.

Wisconsin Library Association - Columbus Public Library Director Cindy Fesemyer and Authors Valerie Biel, Silvia Acevedo, and Zachary Howe

Saturday, I was one of a host of authors at the Edgerton (WI) Sterling North Book & Film Festival celebrating its tenth year. And what a reunion — I got to see former TV anchor Patty Loew, with whom I worked as an intern in my college days at WKOW-TV in Madison! I helped on a documentary that later earned an Associated Press award. We hadn’t seen each other in 25 years! Now she’s an accomplished author, and I was so happy to see her. 🙂

Edgerton Sterling North Book & Film Festival Authors Patty Loew and Silvia Acevedo

Thanks to all the librarians out there, to readers, and the many other book lovers that make this journey so wonderful.