by Kim Gasuras, Freelance Writer | FreeWire — Your News, Your Voice
BUCYRUS — Barb Swihart was one of several local residents who attended a special author reading Monday evening at the Bucyrus Public Library.
For her, it was all about hearing the words straight from the source.
“I like to hear an author read their words. So much meaning can get lost when you're just reading the page,” said Swihart. “When I get a chance to hear them read it themselves, I jump on it.”
She was one of several people who came to hear author Nick Rees Gardner read from his book, Delinquents and Other Escape Attempts.
Gardner, an author, writing teacher, and recovering drug addict from Mansfield, currently resides—most of the time—in Washington D.C.
“I go back and forth between Ohio and Maryland. I have lived in several other states over the years,” said Gardner.
His book features a series of fictional short stories, though Gardner admits that some characters and moments are inspired by real-life experiences and people he’s encountered.
“The stories are made up,” he said. “But there are pieces of my life, and people I’ve known, woven into them.”
Gardner began writing as a teenager and earned his bachelor’s degree in English from The Ohio State University in 2017, later completing his MFA in fiction writing at Bowling Green State University. It was there that he crossed paths with Bucyrus librarian Christina Stump, who invited Gardner back for the reading.
“We receive grant funding to help bring in authors and offer a variety of other programs throughout the year,” said Stump.
Gardner is open about his past struggles with addiction, though he emphasizes that his focus is now on the present and future.
“I’ve been clean for ten years now,” he said. “I don’t sit down planning to write about the past, but it shows up sometimes in certain characters and situations.”
Now living a much different life, Gardner manages a store and teaches at a Writing Center in Maryland while maintaining a disciplined writing routine.
“I write every morning before the day gets busy and other things are on my mind,” he said.
In addition to Delinquents and Other Escape Attempts, Gardner has written a novella titled Hurricane Trinity, a chapbook, and a poetry collection. His work has appeared in several literary journals, and he’s received recognition in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry from The Ohio State University in Mansfield. Gardner has also received grants from PEN America and the Elizabeth George Foundation.
“I’m thrilled I had the chance to come to Bucyrus to do this reading,” said Gardner, who was heading next to Cincinnati for another event.
For more information on Gardner and to purchase his books, visit nickreesgardner.com.
