Mindy Nichols Wendell

The Fredonia Shakespeare Club held its annual opening tea at Barlow’s Mill with 22 members and guests enjoying a talk on becoming a children’s author by retired SUNY Fredonia English Professor Mindy Nichols Wendell.

The speaker was introduced by Club President Sharon Klug.

Wendell, author of “Light and Air” published by Holiday House, outlined her novel set in the 1930s at J. N. Adams Tuberculosis Hospital in Perrysburg in her discussion.The story centers around a young girl, Halle, and her mother, who are both stricken with TB.

As a professor who taught Education majors planning to teach literature, she explained that she was uniquely prepared to write for a young adult audience.

Wendell stated that, upon accidentally discovering the crumbling former hospital, she felt compelled to research the facility and visit its museum. She thanked the museum staff member for her research assistance and incredible insight into the history of the facility.

She delved into the process of finding an agent through contacts made at a Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators conference, and the publishing process. Wendell’s talk included a reading of an excerpt of the “Light and Air.”

This year, papers will be presented by members on the topic of Children’s Literature through mid-March.