Author Katherine Vaz set to speak at Illinois College about upcoming novel set in historic Jacksonville

A former Claridge Writer-in-Residence at Illinois College and a National Endowment for the Arts recipient, Vaz will be speaking on campus on November 18 at 11 a.m. in the Kirby Learning Center, Room 6 about her novel Above the Salt.

Above the Salt, set to be released in paperback on November 7, 2024, has already received high praise as a People Magazine Book of the Week selection, a Good Morning America Top 15, a Goodreads November top pick, and received starred Kirkus and Publisher's Weekly reviews.

The novel is a work of fiction based on the true story of Portuguese refugees who settled in Jacksonville during the 1800s. While on campus, Vaz will discuss the surprising turns in the road while researching this incredible tale of survival, heartache, war, and generosity, with special attention paid to the book-defining discoveries she made during her time as writer-in-residence at IC.

Students who attend will receive convocation credit. The event is free and open to the public.