Two Utah-based authors will be visiting the Provo City Library on Jan. 16 to promote their new young adult novel.
Authors Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando will be discussing their collaboration on “Roomies,” the story of two high school graduates over the summer before they become college roommates.
Provo City Library public relations coordinator Erika Hill said the authors’ visit is a unique opportunity for patrons to learn more about collaborative writing, which is a relatively new development in YA literature.
“Writing collaboratively is a new model for writing that I think people will be really interested in,” Hill said. “Many people think of being an author as a lone venture, but it’s not the only option. There are lots of ways to collaborate to bring readers something they haven’t experienced before.”
Hill also said the event will be a chance to meet local authors who have gained national attention for their work.
“It’s really great for residents of Provo to hear from local authors who have national renown,” Hill said.
Altebrando, acclaimed author of “The Pursuit of Happiness,” said the collaborative book is a story to which many generations of readers can relate.
“It’s my hope that teen readers will recognize parts of themselves in one or both of the main characters,” Altebrando said, “and that older readers will enjoy reminiscing about their own experiences of leaving home for the first time.”
Zarr, a National Book Award finalist for “Story of a Girl,” said it’s exciting to come back to Provo as a nationally-recognized author.
“I’m excited to be going to Provo because I know there are a lot of YA readers and writers there that have a hard time making it into Salt Lake, where most events are,” Zarr said. “It’s nice to get a chance to go to them for a change.”
Zarr and Altebrando will speak at 7:00 p.m. in room 302 of the Provo City Library; following the discussion and Q&A, they will sign copies of their books.
