Local Author Promotes “Reading, Writing, and Rocket Science”

Sept. 13, 2011 - PRLog -- Huntsville, AL


Local author and former rocket scientist Stephanie Osborn will speak at Calhoun Community College in Huntsville on “Reading, Writing, and Rocket Science.” Giving a frank and informal discussion about the benefits of literacy and reading on her career, Osborn is being sponsored by Calhoun Language and Literature Department faculty member Lisa Callihan, as well as Head Librarian Lucinda Beddow.

“There’s simply no way I would have achieved all I have without excellent communications skills, and that includes avid reading and writing,” Osborn declares. “Without the ability to read and write, to ENJOY reading and writing, I’d never have achieved working for NASA as a payload flight controller, let alone a published author.”

Osborn, who has also been a tutor, substitute teacher, and former Space Camp instructor, has seen firsthand the decrease in students who voluntarily read.

“It’s sad to me,” she said. “Completely aside from my second career as a novelist, young people today are missing out on so much! Classic literature and classic themes! So many wonderful ‘worlds’ out there that they’ll never experience if they don’t read. It doesn’t matter to me if it’s a print book or an ebook – I just think people need to read! How else are we going to exercise our minds, our imaginations? Video games are wonderful – but the computer’s programming only allows certain possibilities. Films are great, too, but if the story can’t be crammed into two hours, it doesn’t get made, or it gets cut to fit. Only in books can our imaginations soar through new – and old – worlds for hours on end. Just think if I’d never had a book spur on my inspiration to work in the space program. Imagine if no one had. We likely wouldn’t HAVE a space program.”

Calhoun public speaking instructor and Osborn’s sponsor, Lisa Callihan, agrees. “Successful people read. We want our younger generation to be successful and well-rounded. We want to introduce them to new ideas and new information, and so we want them to read.”

Osborn will be speaking – and reading – upstairs in the Calhoun student center starting at 5:30 on Thursday, October 6. Her books will be available, and afterward there will be an autograph session. The talk is open to the public and press.

For more information, go to www.stephanie-osborn.com or call (256) 890-4994 or email lcallihan@calhoun.edu, or contact the Calhoun College Library.

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About the Author
Stephanie Osborn is a former payload flight controller, a veteran of 20+ years of working in the civilian & military space programs. She holds degrees in 4 sciences & writes SF mysteries based on her knowledge, experience, & travels.