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If You Go
What: Book signing by Jay Gilbertson, author of
“Back to Madeline Island.”
When: 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Borders, 4030 Commonwealth Ave.
Information: 832-2852. |
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Jay
Gilbertson was the guy more likely to be found in the kitchen
hanging out with the girls than watching football with the men.
His friends say he’s a great listener and observer — traits that
have made him a successful author.
The Eau Claire native’s debut book, “Moon Over Madeline Island,”
sold out, and he has released the sequel, “Back to Madeline
Island” (Kensington, $14).
The first-person novels, set on northern Wisconsin’s Madeline
Island, are happy places for readers, Gilbertson said. They
feature two quirky, independent women making their way in the
world.
Gilbertson, a 1978 Memorial High School graduate, lives near
Prairie Farm with his partner, Ken Seguine, on an organic farm.
The couple has been together for 11 years, Gilbertson said.
Much of Gilbertson’s knowledge about women and ideas for his
books come from his years of working at a hair salon in
Minneapolis, he said.
“The things people tell you when you’re doing their hair — oh,
my God,” Gilbertson said in his soft-spoken manner, smiling
good-naturedly.
Most of his clients were at least 30 years old and single, he
said. But there weren’t many books written for independent
women.
“There’s so many ways to find fulfillment,” Gilbertson said,
“not just through a relationship.”
While he doesn’t take people’s stories verbatim, he was inspired
by a friend’s struggle to locate the daughter she gave up for
adoption 33 years ago, he said. She gave him permission to use
her story in his second book.
In “Back to Madeline Island,” the reader finds Eve, a late-40s
former hair salon owner still living with her best friend, Ruby,
an older British woman, in their beautiful island cottage.
The pair deal with new conflicts in their thriving apron
business and personal lives, including Eve’s search for her
biological daughter.
Readers want to devour Gilbertson’s books like candy, said Heidi
Holtan, host of the National Public Radio program “Real Good
Words” in Grand Rapids, Minn. Holtan interviewed Gilbertson for
her show earlier this year.
“It’s always kind of fun to read about characters (who) are
making their own family,” she said.
While people in Gilbertson’s series are an odd assortment, the
group reflects real life, Holtan added. His characters are
refreshing because they are older than those found in most books
written for women.
“He seems to really want to show how strong women can be,”
Holtan said.
Gilbertson classifies his novels as “lady lit,” focusing on
friendship, belonging and taking chances.
The author’s sensitive nature comes through in his writing, said
fan Carrie Maloney.
“He has a way of just trying to make everyone feel good,” she
said.
Maloney, a New Richmond resident, said her relationship with
Gilbertson has gone beyond hair since she first met him at his
salon 10 years ago. She and her husband, Mark Given, have
watched the writing process.
“Seeing him actually get it done is so inspiring,” said Maloney,
who is working on her first novel.
Maloney and Given read the latest Madeline Island installment to
each other over breakfast soon after it came out.
“It’s a peek into a world that we normally don’t explore,” Given
said.
Gilbertson draws his characters strongly, Given said. Readers
become interested in their lives and look forward to the next
novel, she said.
“He has a real flair for doing the series,” she said, adding
that Gilbertson will have no problem continuing the story of Eve
and Ruby.
Gilbertson plans to write 10 books about Eve, Ruby and their
island life.
“The girls have a lot to say,” he said, chuckling.
Besides writing the Madeline Island series, Gilbertson said he
would like to help young authors break into the business by
holding workshops at UW-Stout, his alma mater.
“I think I could help people help themselves because I’ve really
been blessed,” he said.
Hartwig can be reached at 833-9203, (800) 236-7077 or
emily.hartwig@ecpc.com
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