Young adult literature authors Roth and O’Rourke visit Bradley

10/03/2014 4:05 PM

By Margaret Cipriano ‘15

New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth and speculative, paranormal author Erica O’Rourke visited Bradley University last month to discuss publishing and writing to an audience of 130 members.

The event, entitled “Authors in Conversation,” was organized by Assistant Professor of English Dr. Melinda McBee Orzulak in conjunction with student Elizabeth Cachey ‘15, president of Sigma Tau Delta English honor society. Together, they arranged a panel discussion with the well-known authors for students of English and the public courtesy of funding from the Intellectual and Cultural Activities Committee.

McBee Orzulak noted that many of the English education majors in the audience were currently enrolled in her young adult literature class.  “Learning about young adult literature helps English majors to be effective diplomats for reading in their communities,” she said. “Graduates go on to become writers, librarians, editors, community members, parents, guardians or aunts and uncles. And, technically, college students are still the right demographic for this literature, as the majority of texts are read by ages 13-40.”

The panel was not only beneficial for the English and English Education majors in the audience, but also for members of the public and aspiring writers. During the presentation, Roth and O’Rourke answered questions about writer’s block, novel planning, literary agents, and story ideas. McBee Orzulak said her favorite advice given by the authors dealt with how to overcome self-doubt during the writing process.

McBee Orzulak also noted that while the students were very receptive and excited to meet the authors, the authors were thrilled to be at Bradley University.

“Roth tweeted that the had ‘an awesome time at Bradley’ (to 400,000+ followers) along with a picture of the authors in their Bradley sunglasses, and O’Rourke wrote, ‘Thanks Bradley University and @VeronicaRoth for such an excellent visit!’ and ‘Great place + great people and lots of laughing’ … In a thank you note, O’Rourke wrote, ‘Everyone at Bradley was so kind and welcoming—it’s truly a special place. Your students had great questions and the moderators/organizers were fantastic! It was the smoothest, most thoughtful event I’ve ever done,’ ” said Dr. McBee Orzulak.

With such a great response, it’s no surprise that the Visiting Writers Series has been a success at Bradley University.  The next event will be held Wednesday, October 15 at 7:00 p.m. featuring poet George Kalamaras.