Umatilla Public Library
Your Hometown Library
Virtual Visit with Homegrown Author Amy Nielsen at the Umatilla Public Library
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Umatilla, FL – Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 2 pm.
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WORTH IT is rooted in Florida history: the back-to-back freezes of the 80s that crippled the citrus industry and devastated a community that depended on it.
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Angela Carter’s family moved from a stable, middle-class life in Mississippi to Central Florida, drawn by the promise of citrus prosperity—only to see that future collapse. Now 17, pregnant, and living in a deteriorating trailer park in the fictional town of North Lake, Florida (inspired by Umatilla) Angela finds herself navigating a fragile reality.
Amy Nielsen is a former educator, current literary agent, and award-winning author based in Florida. Her young adult novel WORTH IT is inspired by the real-life aftermath of the 80s citrus industry collapse and follows a pregnant teen navigating shame, ambition, and second chances in the fictional town of North Lake. Amy’s work explores themes of resilience, community, and the quiet courage it takes to rewrite your own story. When she’s not writing, she’s mentoring emerging authors, advocating for inclusive storytelling, and championing underrepresented voices in publishing.
The program is free. This is a group event at the library with the author visiting via the internet. The library is located at 412 Hatfield Dr., Umatilla, FL 32784 or by calling (352) 669-3284. Visit The Friends of the Library website at umatillalibrary.org/authorvisits for more information.
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From Spark to Published: How to Navigate the Publishing Journey
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Umatilla, FL – Monday, July 7, 2025 at 2 pm.
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Every published book begins with a spark—an idea that won’t let go. Helping emerging authors go from that initial inspiration to a published work means guiding them through each critical stage: shaping the idea, developing strong characters and structure, building a consistent writing practice, and revising with purpose.
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From there, it's about understanding the publishing landscape—whether traditional or self-published—and equipping writers with tools to query agents, pitch their work, and build their author platform. The process can be overwhelming, but with clear steps, honest mentorship, and encouragement, writers can move from dreaming about a book to holding it in their hands.
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This presentation offers a step-by-step roadmap to help emerging authors turn their ideas into published books. From crafting a compelling manuscript to navigating the world of publishing, writers will walk away with practical tools, insider insights, and the confidence to take their stories into the world.
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Amy Nielsen is a former educator, current literary agent, and award-winning author based in Florida. Her young adult novel WORTH IT is inspired by the real-life aftermath of the 80s citrus industry collapse and follows a pregnant teen navigating shame, ambition, and second chances in the fictional town of North Lake. Amy’s work explores themes of resilience, community, and the quiet courage it takes to rewrite your own story. When she’s not writing, she’s mentoring emerging authors, advocating for inclusive storytelling, and championing underrepresented voices in publishing.
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The program is free. This is a group event at the library with the author visiting via the internet. The library is located at 412 Hatfield Dr., Umatilla, FL 32784 or by calling (352) 669-3284. Visit The Friends of the Library website at umatillalibrary.org/authorvisits for more information.