• About Karen

    Karen Schreck headshot
    Karen Halvorsen Schreck is the author of the historical novel Broken Ground (Simon & Schuster 2016), called a “masterfully written . . . must-read” by USA Today. Her previously published historical novel, Sing for Me, was described as "impressive…a well-wrought and edifying page-turner” (Publisher's Weekly, Starred Review). Karen's Young Adult novel, While He Was Away (Sourcebooks), was a finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award. She’s also the author of Dream Journal (Hyperion), which was a 2006 Young Adult BookSense Pick, and the award-winning children’s book Lucy’s Family Tree (Tilbury House). Her short stories and articles have appeared in Hypertext, The Rumpus, Belt, and Image, as well as other literary journals and magazines, and have received various awards, including a Pushcart Prize, an Illinois State Arts Council Grant, and in 2008, first prize awards for memoir and devotional magazine writing from the Evangelical Press Association. Karen received her doctorate in English and Creative Writing from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She works as a freelance writer and editor, teaches writing and literature, and lives with her husband, the photographer Greg Halvorsen Schreck, and their two children in Wheaton, Illinois.

at table  / good talk  / While He Was Away

celebrating readers

Posted On April 29, 2013

What I love about Milwaukee:  the art museum on the lake, especially the Folk Art there.  The lake itself, a force to be reckoned with.  Paul CeBar & the Milwaukeens.  The brats, beer, borscht, and Alterra Coffee, especially when enjoyed at Alterra Café at the Lake.

But now I love Milwaukee for a whole new reason.

This past Saturday, I drove north to attend the Barbara Vey Reader Appreciation Luncheon. Barbara lives in the Milwaukee area, and she blogs at Beyond Her Book, Publisher’s Weekly.

I think Barbara may also be a saint.  I say this because she had, and continues to have a vision (thanks to her mom, who was an avid reader).  Barbara’s vision: to organize an event solely for the purpose of celebrating readers.  She’d bring readers and writers (who of course are also readers) together in her hometown.  There’d be great conversation, food (amazing cupcakes!), laughter, and celebratory gifts.  All in honor of the people who in this fast-paced day and age, still love to crack open a book. Here’s Barbara.  Can you see her halo?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here I am, sitting with new friends. The woman sitting to my left is also named Karen.  Over lunch, Karen told me the synopsis of her book, and I am seizing this moment to say:

I want to read your book, Karen!  Find that agent!  Today!

All around, it was an amazingly fun day. I am grateful for the readers and writers I met, and for Barbara Vey.  And for Milwaukee, of course.

Click here to read Barbara’s own take on the day, and see more pics too!

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  • About Karen

    Karen Schreck headshot
    Karen Halvorsen Schreck is the author of the historical novel Broken Ground (Simon & Schuster 2016), called a “masterfully written . . . must-read” by USA Today. Her previously published historical novel, Sing for Me, was described as "impressive…a well-wrought and edifying page-turner” (Publisher's Weekly, Starred Review). Karen's Young Adult novel, While He Was Away (Sourcebooks), was a finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award. She works as a freelance writer and editor, teaches writing and literature, and lives with her husband, the photographer Greg Halvorsen Schreck, and their two children in Wheaton, Illinois.

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