Children's Author At Parkland Library On Wednesday

Local author Michele Mack was working in sales when the idea for a children's book character named Henry Fickle woke her from her sleep.

She had never kept a journal, let alone considered writing.

But the vision of Fickle was vivid, and she worked through that weekend developing her ideas.  At the time she thought she might be piecing together a manuscript, but it was the beginning of a journey that has tested Mack many times on the way to realizing her dream -- as author of a series of children's books.

Mack , of Trexlertown, will read from her latest work, "Henry Fickle and the Magic Dragon of Pennsylvania, at the  at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13. The paperback is keeping her fans at bay until the third novel in the Henry Fickle series is finished.

From that first night when Mack envisioned the character Henry Fickle, it took about three years to have a published copy of her first book, "Henry Fickle and the Secret Laboratory" in her hands.

Notes, drawings, and diagrams of her thoughts had led her to create the fictional town of Willow Creek. That "heart-filled work of passion," she said, led to a three-volume series.

At the start, Mack was an unknown writer with no credentials, which she said resulted in more than 30 rejections from various publishers. Rather than give up, Mack made the decision to self-publish her novel under a company she called The Sorcerer’s Press.

While working full-time she studied the ins and outs of self-publishing. Mack spent her life savings and recalls how trying a journey it was.

“When everyone told me it couldn’t be done, or it was impossible, or I should stick to my ‘real’ job, I had to press on, despite the negative comments," she said. "Simply put, when no one believed in me, I had to believe in myself.”

The first book was a finalist in ForeWord Magazine's juvenile Book-of-the-Year awards.

Her second novel was "Henry Fickle and the Time Capsule." A third book in the series is still in the works.

Meanwhile, Mack wrote, "Henry Fickle and the Magic Dragon of Pennsylvania," from which she will read on Wednesday. Mack says the story was fun to write, with each chapter having its own illustration and a secret headquarters somewhere in Pennsylvania that many area readers may recognize.

Mack has been visiting area schools and libraries promoting the series and Parkland Community Library is just one of over 30 stops along her way.

"Henry Fickle and the Magic Dragon of Pennsylvania" is available for purchase at and C. Leslie Smith, both in South Whitehall. Mack will also have copies available during her visit to the Parkland Library that she will sign.

For more information visit Mack's website or stop by the library on Thursday to meet Mack and hear Henry Fickle’s latest tale.