The first author I ever met was David L. Harrison, the author of “Wake Up, Sun.”

I was mesmerized with the idea of meeting an author and was instantly starstruck. I couldn’t believe that I actually met someone who wrote a book that my mom read to me regularly.

Over the years, I have met a number of authors which has helped to shape me as a reader. Knowing how much this experience has inspired my own reading choices, I jumped at the chance to take my students to the Children’s Literature Festival of the Ozarks at Missouri State University, where they would have the opportunity to hear authors speak about their books and maybe even meet them personally.

I felt that if the festival broadened their reading experiences and inspired new reading selections that taking them would be a successful endeavor.

My students were introduced to the fun world of nonfiction through the eyes of author, Stephanie Bearce. She encouraged them to be curious, explore and research the questions that they have about the world around them.

They were even challenged to become inventors and built a structure out of straws that could withstand a windstorm, courtesy of her hair dryer. Encouraging students to read nonfiction is important to me as a librarian because much of what they read in school is nonfiction.

Then, my students met Antony John, a Brit turned American, which fascinated them. Even though the subject matter and plots of his novels vary greatly, he explained to students that he gains inspiration by the cities he has lived in and his life experiences.

He also discussed how learning about the writing process of other authors has impacted his writing. He impressed upon them the need to continually edit and that even successful authors have to follow a writing process and edit their work heavily.

As I sat listening, watching my students to see their reactions, I immediately noticed one particular student engrossed in the presentation. I looked down at the small desk in front of him and saw that he was taking notes. I knew this student had found a new author to love.

We then met Dusti Bowling, an author who expressed with students the value of writing what you know and gaining inspiration from your surroundings. The students learned that sometimes good things happen because of rejection.

Bowling submitted 100 query letters to literary agents before her first novel, “Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus,” was accepted and published.

She explained that her first 80 rejections caused her to edit her novel and those edits are what earned the consideration of a literary agent. I personally found myself connecting with Bowling because she is also the mom of three children who love the outdoors and gains inspiration through quiet reflection just as I do.

I have also had bad experiences that gave way to the best moments in my life. I found myself in a moment of awe that a famous author and myself could have so much in common.

As we were leaving campus, one of my students turned back to me and said, “I want to come back to this every year. Can we, please?”

Several had already asked me to purchase specific titles for the library before we reached the bus and added, “Can you request them from the public library so we don’t have to wait?”

A voice in my head sighed, “Success,” and my librarian heart smiled.

I encourage you to seek out opportunities at libraries, universities, and bookstores to meet authors. Encourage your local school districts to bring authors to our schools to speak to students and share their books. Research opportunities to visit or take students on field trips to see authors speak at literature festivals.

The experience of meeting an author and hearing them speak about their books is one that will shape you as a reader. Sharing those experiences with our children and students encourages them to become lifelong readers who are excited about books and writing. Maybe the experience will inspire a future best-selling author.

Michelle Hilburn is the president of the Cassville Area Friends of the Library and a librarian at Purdy schools. She may be reached at mhilburn@
purdyk12.com.