Author, publicist and Wisconsin native Elizabeth Eulberg visited the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus Monday as part of the fourth annual UW Lit Fest.
Lit Fest is designed to showcase emerging talent and promote reading across campus, according to the Wisconsin Union Directorate publications committee
Eulberg focused on her journey in becoming a published writer and included personal anecdotes in the talk. She also discussed various challenges faced by young authors and the importance of people’s backgrounds in shaping them as writers.
Eulberg was born and raised in Portage, Wis., and said she understands the unique experiences that growing up in a small town brings.
“You have to tell me your last name, because my parents not only know your family but they probably know a little bit of gossip,” Eulberg joked with an audience member from her hometown.
The author grew up captivated by her school band, where she played the clarinet, and was inspired to enter public relations when her mom gave her a book about careers in the music industry. She left behind her small town to attend Syracuse University and soon after became a publicist at Scholastic Corporation.
Eulberg, who worked during the publication of the first five Harry Potter books, worked closely with Dav Pilkey, the author of the Captain Underpants series. She said Pilkey was her biggest motivator in deciding to finally begin her writing career after years of considering starting.
“The reason why I was thinking about it for so long and not actually writing is because I was surrounded by all these amazing authors,” Eulberg said. “So I was like, ‘what makes me think I could do it?’”
She is now the author of five novels and is using her current book tour as a way to encourage young people to not give up on their own dreams.
“I spent so much time and energy convincing myself of reasons not to write instead of just sitting my butt in a chair and writing,” Eulberg said.
Lit Fest will continue with daily events through Saturday.
