Gaithersburg Book Festival: How did I get here? And why does it matter?
by Exhibiting Author Amanda Moskowitz
I’ve been a long-time proprietor of the Gaithersburg Book Festival. It’s a great event for families, especially those with young children. You get to interact with local authors, eat great food, and inspire a love of both reading and writing. Each year I went, I would say to myself, “I want to be one of those who inspire.” This year, I was lucky enough to be chosen to do so.
Five years ago, I would have pictured myself in the adult fiction section touting a much, much better version of 50 Shades of Gray. Today, I am prepping a table for my self-published children’s book, “Alice the Bee and the Cherry Trees”. As I spread out my colorful display, forest diorama, and bee fact-sheet, I find myself asking, “How did I get here and—more importantly— why does it matter?”
My journey began in November of 2016 and had nothing to do with books. After the Presidential election, I took to activating and creating political giveaways. I designed and produced wristbands, posters, bumper stickers, t-shirts. But I had to stop. The approach was hurting both my mental state and my bank account. I was trying to fight in every political battle, and I ended up donating way more than I made. But I never gave up my dream to create a product with a social purpose.
Fast forward six months. One night while doing dishes, my daughter Alyce casually asked, “Mommy, will you tell me a story?” Not knowing it was there, “Alice the Bee” just came. I watched my daughter’s face while I told her about Drumpf the monster, who tore up trees to build a wall, and the bee who helped saved those trees. I just knew I had a children’s book.
The very next day, it was announced America would exit the Paris Agreement, a contract committing countries to fight climate change. Angry and afraid, I sat down and wrote this story. I have my daughter, the dishes, and yes, even Trump to thank.
When I think about how I got here, it’s because I saw an opportunity to take fear, frustration, and failure and funnel it into something comforting, colorful, and creative. When I think about why it matters, it’s because this is something we all need to do—especially children.
There will always be ‘monsters’ out there looking to destroy parts of our world. As an author or artist, children learn how to be their own hero or simply make one up. That is what makes this book festival so much fun. Young and old alike witness first hand how the power of a story can transform an opinion, give an outlet, connect to something bigger.
I am so proud to be among this local cadre of authors and artists, and I look forward to seeing you there!
About
Amanda Moskowitz is a Marketing Communications professional who moonlights as an author, activist, and artist. She has self-published two books, “Alice the Bee and the Cherry Trees” and “Baba the Monkey and All That Noise,” with three more projects underway.
In between work and writing, she enjoys taking photographs, running in the woods, and planning parties. Amanda lives in Gaithersburg, MD with her husband, Jeff, and their two beautiful children, Alyce and Jacob. Follow Amanda on Instagram and Facebook or visit her website.