On Wednesday, Oct. 1, SLCC student and author Robin Glassey debuted her new book, Secrets of Fathara, the first installment of her Azetha Series.
Glassey won second place at the 2013 Chapbook Competition held by SLCC where she began to write her series, beginning with The Least of Elves.
This was just the start of her journey towards writing books. Her unlikely start began with the loss of custody of a child.
“My husband Brett and I are foster parents and when our foster daughter, whom we had been fostering for nine months, returned to her biological father,” said Glassey. “I was really struggling emotionally.”
Glassey’s husband then encouraged her write a book, because she had been interested in science fiction and fantasy already.
She also gained a great deal of help from classes offered at SLCC. One that was the most beneficial to her work was the Grammar and Style class.
“[Grammar and Style class] has helped me to discover not only the rules and when I want to break them, but also some valuable stylistic forms that have become a part of my ‘voice’ when I write,” said Glassey.
She also talks highly of her Special Studies class with Charlotte Howe and how it has impacted her book and overall work.
“I am able to work one on one with Charlotte, getting feedback on my writing and help with editing my books,” said Glassey. “Charlotte’s positive personality and encouragement helps me to keep on going and stick to my goals.”
As the book began to come together, she first gave it to her father to read.
“[My father is] brutally honest about whether he loves or hates a book,” said Glassey.
Fortunately, her father loved it and that became one of her very first rewarding moments.
She saw her opportunity to work with cover artist Odalis Uribe as an extremely exciting time in the process.
“When I received the first shipment from Amazon with the cover art and Odalis’ sketches inside I thought, ‘This is it. This is really happening,”’ said Glassey.
Though the book being published has been very rewarding, it hasn’t just been about the book for Glassey.
“It has been a journey of healing — one I am still on,” said Glassey. “Just like Tika in my book, I have discovered loss hurts. It can bring us to the point of destruction, but there are things that can heal our hearts little by little, bit by bit if we let them — faith, hope, friends, and creativity.”
Glassey’s book is available on Amazon.com.
More information on her book and upcoming events can be found on her website, http://www.robinglassey.squarespace.com/.
