Grace LaTourelle-
The 4Word event, presented by the Friends of the Library- Gustavus Library Associates (GLA), will be taking place at the Southdale Library from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 6th.
According to the Gustavus website, the GLA promotes learning, literature, and the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library at Gustavus. The 4Word event will benefit the library at Gustavus despite taking place in Edina, Minnesota. The full address for the location of the event can be found on the website.
The event will be hosted by published author, Kirsten F. Johnson, who will be speaking alongside and interviewing published author, Loretta Ellsworth. There will be time for Q&A and writing workshops, as well as games, prizes, and refreshments for students who may attend. Registration for the event is required, however, the event will be entirely free.
Along with the Q&A, Ellsworth will be discussing how to break into the business and the craft of writing, finding a literary agent, and what publishing is currently like. Ellsworth recently had one of her novels optioned for a movie, which may be detailed as well.
Johnson is an alumni who graduated in 1992, after majoring in Organizational Management. Her passion for writing was illustrated through her journalism for the Gustavian Weekly and her work as editor of the yearbook. Fearless, one of Johnson’s ten publications, is set within St. Peter and pays homage to those who underwent the tornadoes of 1988. The book is available in the BookMark as well as everywhere online.
“The main throughline is about a girl rescuing a dog from a puppy mill and then the PTSD that different people can go through, like dogs in puppy mills, people who have been through tornadoes…and…war veterans… ” Johnson said. “It’s about the connections…after trauma.”
Ellsworth’s most recent publication is her first picture book, released last year, called Tangle-Knot. The story follows a young girl with messy hair and her commitment to her identity.
Ellsworth, as Johnson highlights, has “genre jumped”, which will be valued insight in her talk at the event. Ellsworth has spanned age groups, writing for both adults and young readers. Due to be released later this year, Ellsworth’s newest work is an adult historical fiction entitled The French Winemaker’s Daughter.
“My stories were often ones that reflected the voices of my students,” Ellsworth said. On top of being an author, she was also a former middle school teacher.
Johnson and Ellsworth both have had various jobs, apart from being authors. Currently working in marketing, which benefits her writing, Johnson has also been a college professor.
“If you enjoy working with words…you don’t necessarily have to be an author who makes their living being an author,” Johnson said. “There’s other things you can do to pay the bills and…to pursue your passion.”
Ellsworth similarly noted the difficulty of breaking into the industry, described as the “arduous” journey of finding a literary agent.
“There will always be room for more writers in the world, and publishers are always looking for the next big book – but the landscape right now is difficult for most traditionally published writers to make a good living,” Ellsworth said.
At 4Word, Ellsworth and Johnson will advise students who hope to pursue careers in writing and publication. Johnson emphasized the importance of being able to embrace rejection.
“My advice to writers is to immerse yourself in your craft. Read, write, attend conferences, find other like-minded writers who will support you, and learn all you can about your craft,” Ellsworth suggested.
The 4Word event has applications for all students, regardless of pursuing authorship. Johnson noted that procrastination leaves less time for review and success in essay writing. Ellsworth also highlighted the importance of revision and stated that her first book was revised ten to fifteen times before publication. Writing essays or academic papers is part of many college classes, and is a skill that can be developed.
“There is an intrinsic value to writing, just as in any creative endeavor. It allows us to express ourselves and connect with others through our writing,” Ellsworth said. “I think that we write mostly for ourselves, but hope that our writing is something others will relate to.”
Ellsworth and Johnson, despite denoting the difficulties and tribulations within the industry, provide students and aspiring writers with hope.
“If you want to write, you must be persistent – you must think of it as a long game. Find your community, learn from peers, network, and stretch your creativity,” Ellsworth said.