From left to right: Michele Faehnle, Andra Gillum, Emily Jaminet, Tracey Dils
Upper Arlington is home to numerous authors who are following their ambitions to write.
As with most writing communities, authors vary in experience and style. From education and religion to children’s books, these local authors are thriving in a wide range of genres.
Andra Gillum published her first book, Doggy Drama, in 2015. The children’s picture book is loosely based on the Gillum family. The story illustrates the struggles of adjusting to a growing family from family dog Riley’s point of view.
Gillum has lived in Upper Arlington for 15 years. She has years of public relations and copy writing experience.
“Corporate writing was fine, but my real passion was for creative writing and, particularly, observational humor,” says Gillum.
Gillum enjoys writing about things that she observes, and especially likes to write children’s books. She has already published a sequel, Puppy Drama, that tells the story from Lucy the puppy’s point of view.
Just like Gillum, Michele Faehnle and Emily Jaminet are moms from Upper Arlington who recently published a book. The two co-authored Divine Mercy for Moms: Sharing the Lessons of St. Faustina. The book draws on the personal experiences of Faehnle and Jaminet to introduce St. Faustina and her five essential elements of the Divine Mercy message.
Photo courtesy of Andra Gillum
Faehnle and Jaminet are both contributors to CatholicMoms.com and are leaders of the Columbus Catholic Women’s Conference. Faehnle is co-director of the conference, while Jaminet serves on the leadership team. Both graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville and continue to be active members in the Catholic community.
“We have done more than write a book. Our website is full of wonderful articles, free downloads and practical ideas on how to implement spirituality in your busy life,” says Jaminet.
Both Faehnle and Jaminet plan to continue writing for CatholicMoms.com and taking care of their families. Faehnle has ambitions to publish another book that she has already started working on.
“I am working on a second book about friendship and hope to explore many more topics for books in the future. As a mom of four, I also think it would be fun to write a children’s book someday,” says Faehnle.
Though Gillum, Faehnle and Jaminet all found their passion for writing in their adult lives, there are some writers who start very young. This is the case with Tracey Dils, another UA author who started writing and publishing pieces as early as elementary school.
Photo courtesy of Tracey Dils
Dils had several jobs involving writing in her professional career, leading her to eventually be named publisher of McGraw-Hill Children’s Publishing. While working with McGraw-Hill, Dils accumulated a robust knowledge of publishing and how to be a successful publisher. When Dils had children, she began to write children’s books on the side. Eventually, she quit her job so she could write full-time.
“When I did that, I continued to view publishing as a business. I kept my kids in day care, set up a writing space and devoted a certain amount of time each day to writing,” says Dils.
Now Dils has published more than 50 children’s books, including picture books, biographies, nonfiction and educational workbooks. Her most recent projects include a series of counting books for Amicus Publishing and two nonfiction books for 12 Story Press.
Dils consults for Highlights Press and is engaged in various other advisory positions, as well as pursuing her own writing. She admits that though most of her time has been spent on children’s books, her most successful book is a how-to for adults that she wrote for Writer’s Digest books.
“That book combined my acumen about the business of publishing with my feelings about the creative process. It also led me to act as a speaker at various writers’ conferences and as a mentor to those looking to write and publish in the field,” says Dils.
All four of these area authors say they encourage aspiring writers to keep writing all the time and to not be afraid of imperfection.
Jenny Wise is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at hbealer@cityscenecolumbus.com.
