For the Love of Books

I can't imagine my life without books. I love reading them, writing them, and even editing them.

As a young girl, I would strain my eyes staying up late into the night reading fairy tales and anything else I could lay my hands on. From my parents' library I would pilfer novels by Jules Verne belonging to my mother, Zane Grey westerns of my dad's, travel journals that my granny had there and many more. After I'd read everything that my parents' library had to offer, I'd get a membership in my local children's library near my school. My classmates would marvel at me when I would come out with an armful of books.

"You gonna read all that?" they'd ask me.
"Yeah, even though, that's not that many books," I'd say.
I would usually get blank stares or a 'Whoa, cool!' expression.

When at the age of 11, I got my first book from the book club that I started subscribing to, I knew that I wanted to dedicate my life to books in some way. At that time I also started to dabble in writing, and I realized that I probably should be a writer. Since books and writing are undeniably tied together, that's exactly what I did.

Later after I graduated from high school, I moved from Europe to the USA to make good on my promises to become a writer. I graduated with honors with a degree in journalism and got an internship in a small local magazine. My love for books and writing grew more and more. I started freelance-writing and editing, and in a few years, had a few edited books under my belt, as well as some published articles.

As years went by, I was no longer happy just publishing articles. I also wanted to write my own book as well. So, after endless hours of researching publishers and agents on the Internet and going to writing conferences, I finally decided to self-publish, to have complete control over my work. Finally, this February, my fantasy book, Anika and the Magic Top, is out, and I'm pretty ecstatic. Looking back at my promises and goals, I wanted my first book to be published by the time I was 30 years old. Well, I must pat myself on the back, because I'm 29, and therefore ahead of schedule!

If you think I'm slacking these days, because I published a book, you're mistaken. Other than wasting time perusing used bookstores, and drinking tea in coffee shops, both of which are my favorite pastimes, I am already working on another book. This time instead of a fantasy it's a historical novel about a woman pirate. Arrggh, mateys! Me likey them books!