What’s Your Story?
As someone who has dedicated the majority of her life to story – whether as a teen storyteller, clerk/shelver, writer, or library associate – I honestly believe that every person has a unique story to share with the world.
Not everyone catches the Writing Bug, like I did when I was about sixteen years old, but lots of people enjoy telling stories with their friends/family. When we share our stories, we naturally “get to the good bits” and leave the boring bits aside. That’s why we can retell the same story over and over, and it gets better with each telling! We figure out what parts our listeners respond to and what parts make their eyes glaze over. For me, this is an example of how almost everyone understands the basic elements of crafting a story. It’s a natural part of how we relate to each other.
But I digress …
I was asked to write a little bit about Book Fest 2024, and I am more than happy to do just that!
Over the past three years, we (the library) have looked for ways to support our writing community. We wanted to spotlight local talent and give as many writers as we could a place to share their work with not only the public but each other. We also wanted to encourage them to continue honing their craft and to connect with other writers. When I was first starting out as a writer, local writer and longtime Janesville Public Library associate, Kathy Kennedy Tapp (Mothkin Magic, Den 4 Meets the Jinx, Ghostmobile, and other children’s books) encouraged me to attend writing workshops and meet other Wisconsin writers. I am so happy that she did because her encouragement opened doors for me that I didn’t even realize existed. As a part of the Book Fest committee, my goal is to open doors for other writers (both beginners and those with experience) in the same way Kathy did for me.
The Book Fest committee is thrilled to offer craft-centered workshops, an Author Fair with more than 20 local authors, and a Masterclass with Ann Garvin, a USA Today bestselling author of five funny and sad novels. These sessions are not just about learning, they are about diving deep into the creative process and gaining insights from experienced authors. And the best part? Thanks to the support of The Friends of Hedberg Public Library, Northleaf Winery, Rock County Brewing, Adorn Janesville, 29 South Cafe and Mocha Moment, Book Fest is free for participants.
If you’re interested in learning about writing or you’re an avid reader who wants to learn more about what goes into book/story creation, please register for a workshop today to reserve your spot.
I have found that I always come away from these types of events with new ideas, inspiration to continue writing, and more writing friends! (One can never have too many writing friends!).
I cannot wait to find out what unique stories are currently simmering in the hearts and minds of our local writers, and I feel honored to play a small part in encouraging creativity. Afterall, what is a library without stories?
Jamie A. Swenson is an award-winning author of over 8 children’s books, including Big Rig, which is dedicated to the readers of the Hedberg Public Library. Jamie has worked as an Associate in the Children’s Room for nearly twenty-four years and loves sharing her passion for books, reading, and stories with the community. Due to a family crisis for one of our original workshop presenters, Jamie will be leading the workshop on point of view at Book Fest this year.