A familiar fixture at the Ferguson Library, Linda Avellar has released a novel that graces the beloved bookshelves she’s worked alongside for 25 years. Cassie Linden Finds Her Sweet Spot is a story about a woman caring for her ill father—and his bees—while balancing her family, career and love life. The debut novel has been praised by Kirkus Reviews as “smartly observed” with characters who are “charming and relatable.”
Avellar, a self-described “fiction writer by night and library development director by day,” started her career in broadcast news and has “always loved a good story.” A former Emmy-nominated reporter, she and her husband, who is also in the news business, settled in Stamford 30 years ago and raised their two children here. She started freelancing at the Ferguson Library, doing marketing and communications when her kids were young. She eventually took on the development role.
“Stamford is a wonderful community and a great place to call home,” says Avellar. “The library is such a fantastic place to work. I’m around books all day. What could be better?”
Although she spent her writing career as a journalist, Avellar started to experiment with fiction about 15 years ago. “I’ve always been a big reader, so I figured I should try a novel. The first two I wrote will stay in the drawer,” she laughs. For her current book, she has an emotional connection to the subject matter.
“This novel is kind of a love story to my dad, who passed away two years ago from Alzheimer’s disease,” says Avellar. “My main character’s father has memory issues, and she is afraid she carries the gene mutation and worries what it would do to her life.”
Another important aspect of the story are bees, which she studied extensively for the book. “I did tons of research, watched YouTube videos, read books and took an online course,” explains Avellar. “I also suited up with local beekeepers so I could look at the hives. There is a reason the term ‘busy bee’ exists. It is magical.”
Avellar believes in protecting the bee population.
“As a gardener and member of Pollinator Pathways, I know how important bees are as pollinators,” she says. “It is necessary to go pesticide-free, because bees are essential to our environment and the food supply.”
To kick off her book launch, Avellar will do a reading, a Q&A and a book signing at the Harry Bennett branch of Ferguson Library. The event takes place January 14 at 6pm. “I’m so used
to helping promote visiting authors in my role here, and we have such a great program,” says Avellar. “This will be funny to be on the other side—a little odd, but kind of fun.”
Her next book signing is January 31 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Stamford Barnes & Noble on High Ridge Road. She will also speak at local book clubs. The following month, Avellar travels to her native California, where she will appear February 21 at the Fullerton Public Library. Her mother, who lives there, will be in the audience. “My 92-year-old mother is the most well-read person I know,” says Avellar. “This event will be a nice way to connect with her and so many people in my hometown.”
Avellar pursued the small press route for her novel, which was published by Black Rose Writing in late December. In addition to public libraries, the book is available in local bookstores, Barnes & Noble
and on Amazon.