Two young adult authors will visit Illinois State University in the coming weeks and will give presentations at Milner Library on writing, creativity, publishing, and more.

Pablo Cartaya, the internationally acclaimed author, screenwriter, speaker, and educator will be visiting Illinois State University September 30 to October 1. He calls Miami home and Cuban-American his culture; “My heritage inspires everything about me creatively. It’s like air. You don’t question whether you need it to breathe, it’s an involuntary act done in order to survive. This is how I view my heritage—it gives me oxygen to breathe air into my creativity. It gives me life.” His middle grade and young adult novels include: The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora, Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish, Each Tiny Spark, The Last Beekeeper, and Curveball. He will hold two events at Milner Library, co-sponsored by the Mary and Jean Borg Center for Reading and Literacy.  

These include: 

Author Talk, Monday, September 30, 7-8:30 p.m.

• A lecture-style presentation followed by an author meet-and-greet and book-signing.  
• Limited copies of The Last Beekeeper and Curveball will be available to purchase.  
• Light refreshments provided.  

Creative Writing Workshop, Tuesday, October 1, 5-7 p.m.

• An interactive writing workshop focused on the graphic novel genre.  
• Priority given to Illinois State University students, but faculty, staff, and community members welcome if space allows.  

On October 18, Michelle Quach will speak at Milner Library at 3 p.m., with a presentation followed by a Q&A. Quach is the author of young adult novels The Boy You Always Wanted and Not Here to Be Liked, which was selected as a Best Book of the Year by Kirkus Reviews, Parents Magazine, Bank Street, and NPR, as well as shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. She is a rom-com lover and a matcha snob. Both of Quach’s books will be available for purchase following her talk. This event is sponsored by the Harold K. Sage Foundation and the Illinois State University Foundation Fund.

The events and following receptions will be located in the northwest corner of the sixth floor of Milner Library. All are welcome. 

If you need an accommodation to fully participate in this event or have any questions about events at Milner Library, please contact Director of Marketing and Communications Michelle Neuffer at mgneuff@IllinoisState.edu.