Utah Authors Day: The Vital Importance of Community Connections

This past Saturday, December 4, 2021, we celebrated Utah Authors Day — a special day to encourage Utahns to share their stories and perspectives, strengthen community bonds through the written word, and continue to develop the culture of Utah through literary arts. Participating in Utah Authors Day reminded me how reading and writing provide vital personal connections within communities.

Utah Authors Day December 4th 2021 at the Herriman Library location.

Connecting with Utah’s Literary Landscape

Utah Authors Day celebrates the contributions authors both past and present have given to our state’s literary landscape as explained in the declaration recently signed by Governor Spencer J. Cox: “Whereas, the literary history of Utah runs deep, ranging from the first pioneers binding their own books to the bestsellers of the modern-day . . ..”

Utah used to celebrate Utah Authors Day annually. I don’t know why the annual event disappeared. Fortunately, however, the League of Utah Writers historian, Jared Quan, discovered the event in archived documents. Excited about the discovery, he brought it to the attention of League leadership who agreed it was time to bring the annual event back.

Thanks also to the efforts of Utah Humanities, the Salt Lake County Library, Weber County Library, and many volunteers, Utah Authors Day returned in 2021. Next year, we anticipate an even bigger celebration as we connect Utah Authors Day with locations across the state. 

Creating Connections Between People and Storytellers

Leading up to the event, I had the privilege of working behind the scenes with librarians and authors. I loved the excitement and enthusiasm from both sides. I think if I weren’t a writer, my next dream job would probably be to work in a library surrounded by books and those who love to discover new books.

I admit, I’m still working on creating my own home library and will soon have to find a way of organizing it. Thoughts on the Dewy Decimal system?

When Utah Authors Day started, I loved observing the variety of people coming into the library — individuals both young and old, friends, couples, mothers or fathers with a child, as well as full families. It was interesting to see how they connected with their local library and used it as a resource.

One gentleman came to the library to study for school. One mother had a handful of books from her child’s upcoming “Battle of the Books” list. And one well-seasoned man came to pick up some movies on Star Trek he’d put on hold. As soon as I saw the Star Trek movie he was holding I had to show him a certain autograph in my Big Book. He admired the autograph and took a picture. I wish I’d thought to take a picture of him holding the book with the autograph. I hope we have the opportunity to meet again so I can have a “do over.”

It was also interesting to see their different connections with literature and the kinds of books they choose to read which allowed for us to have great conversations about different genres.  

Connecting Writers to a Local Community

I met with a few people who had authored some non-fiction books — people who hadn’t heard of the League of Utah Writers and who are looking for a local community of writers to join. One woman told me that she’s written her autobiography. As she said it, she looked down as though her writing efforts were less important than mine.

I told her, as I’ve told many others, the most important story you can tell is your own. Whether you journal your story, share it only with family, or choose to share it with the world, the very process of telling your story invites thought, introspection, and expression. Your experiences and your unique perspective are so important. How I wish my ancestors had thought their stories were important. I wish they had written even one page to leave behind.

Patrick Partridge, one of the authors at the Herriman Library location, expressed to me how important personal connection with other writers is for him in his writing journey. Patrick, and many other authors, value the feedback other writers and readers give during the writing process. While writing is often a lone experience, I admit I can’t do it without others. I can’t do it successfully as I do without the support of my family, fans, or without the support of an incredible writing community.

Connecting Through Shared Experiences

I’ve often told the story of why I became a writer in the first place. On Saturday, as a young mother and I talked about books, she asked me why I started writing and I told my story again of how as a foster mother, I was grieving the loss of my foster daughter who had returned to her birth parents. As I sat on the couch facing yet another grief-filled day, my husband reminded me how much I love reading fantasy books. He then suggested I write one of my own. And so I began my own adventure as I poured my grief into writing an epic story of magic, adventure, secrets, betrayal, forgiveness, and healing.

This young mother became choked up as she shared with me her story of adopting sons through fostercare. The two of us connected through our shared experiences of fostercare, adoption, and a love for books.

Connecting Generations of Writers

I’m no longer fostering children, but like James Patterson, I believe in “fostering a love of reading in young people”. At Utah Authors Day we had the opportunity to connect young readers as well as the young at heart with their next favorite author. We also connected young writers with experienced writers – providing encouragement and inspiration to a whole new generation of Utah authors.

Utah Authors Day: Pressing Forward

Sunday morning, I woke up exhausted. And happy. Happy to have been a part of a revived tradition. Although born and raised in Eastern Canada, I’ve now lived longer in Utah than in my home and native land.

Despite my 27 years living in Utah, I have so much still to learn about this state that I love. What I learned yet again on Saturday, at Utah Authors Day, is why I continue to write for others — to connect with them, share what I’ve learned, share my perspective, and give hope. What the event and interacting with others gave me is a greater desire to connect with my community — to continue to find ways to serve, to inspire others to see themselves in the stories others write, and when they don’t find themselves in stories, to encourage them to write their stories in order to be seen and heard.

Interested in learning more about the League of Utah Writers? Find a writing chapter near you and check out upcoming League events at their website.

Interested in learning more about Utah Humanities events and opportunities to serve? Find out more at their website.