The Foundation for Geneva Public Library will host its second “Geneva Writes” event on Saturday, October 26, at the Geneva Public Library. This year, the theme is “Memoirs & Mysteries,” and we are excited to feature three local published authors who will share their unique writing styles and secrets to book writing. There will be opportunities to ask questions and interact with the authors during the sessions and breaks. This event is a fundraiser for the Foundation for Geneva Public Library..
(subject to change)
10 – Welcome & Introductions
10:15 – “Where’d You Go? Out. What’d You Do? Nothing” – Spike Herzig
11 – Break – Book Signing & Sales
11:15 – “Murder & Mayhem – Writing In & About Small Town Life” – Susan James
12 – Break – Book Signing & Sales
12:15 – ‘To Fly or Not to Fly That Is the Question’ – John Norvell
1 – Q&A and Final Remarks
1: 30 – Book Signing & Sales
Susan James cultivated her love for storytelling amid sun-drenched days and drive-in movie nights. After an initial foray into business studies, Susan earned a B.A. from San Diego State University and an M.A. in American Literature from Syracuse University.
Susan’s career in the literary world began as a senior fiction editor for an international publishing company, where she developed a deep appreciation for the business of books. Over the years, she has also taught university writing, practiced law, and raised a family. Now, Susan writes fiction from her home in the Finger Lakes Region of upstate New York, where she lives with her husband and two well-read cats.
L.B. “Spike” Herzig is from the Adirondack community of Beaver Falls. A graduate of Central City Business Institute, he began his tourism career of over 50 years after his hitch in the US Army. He and his brother owned and operated five weekly newspapers that gave him great writing experience and he wrote his first book on a dare from fellow students at a class reunion.
He has written three books the last of which won the tourism book of the year award. Spike and his wife, Nancy, reside in Geneva.
Lt. Col. John E. Norvell, (USAF, Ret.) is a graduate of Hobart College, Geneva NY. He earned an M.A. from The Maxwell School at Syracuse University. He is a former Assistant Professor of American Social and Military History at the US Air Force Academy and decorated air combat veteran of the Vietnam War.
He flew six years in the F4 Phantom II and later served as an Instructor Nav in other jet aircraft. Before his retirement, he served as the Executive Officer for the Historian of the United States Air Force in Washington, D.C. After his retirement from the Air Force, he served as director of alumni relations at Hobart College. He has also written for various newspapers and history journals around the country.
Tickets are $15 for adults if purchased in advance and $20 at the door on the day of the event. Student tickets are $5, with some scholarships available. You can purchase tickets at the main desk of the Geneva Public Library or online here. To apply for a scholarship, fill out this application.
We are excited to offer local authors from the Finger Lakes region the opportunity to showcase and sell their books at our upcoming event. For just $25, you can reserve a table, which also includes a ticket to the event. Space is limited, so we encourage you to secure your spot as soon as possible. If you’re interested in participating, or if you’d like to be involved in future events as a presenter, please reach out to Nicole Pilet at [email protected]. Don’t miss this chance to connect with readers and fellow authors in our community!
The Foundation was established in 2011 as a vehicle for investment in marketable securities because, as a school district public library, the Library is extremely limited in its investment opportunities. While the Foundation’s focus remains on long-term financial support, we understand that a commitment to the Library’s future should not come at a disservice to the Library’s present. To that aim, Foundation volunteers contribute hundreds of service hours for fundraising events in support of the library they love. If you would like to know more about volunteering, click here.