Authors to Share Challenges & Experiences in ‘Art of the Written Word’ at Cayuga

Two local authors will discuss their experiences in the writing world, balancing art and life, and how they craft stories from inspiration to publication in the next entry in Cayuga Community College’s Cultural Speaker Series.

Published authors Chris Motto and Sarah Yaw will delve into the “Art of the Written Word” at both Cayuga campuses this fall, sharing how they started their writing careers and broke into publishing. They’ll also discuss the challenges of finding time for creative expression amid other pressures and responsibilities.

The presentations are scheduled for Monday, September 29, at Cayuga’s Fulton Campus, and Monday, October 27, in Auburn. Both conversations are at 4 p.m., and are free and open to the public.

“Chris and Sarah are outstanding authors who have experience in multiple levels of the publishing world. We’re excited to have them share stories, lessons and advice from their writing lives, and to hear how they stay creative while also handling other roles and responsibilities in their lives,” said Emily Cameron, Cayuga’s Director of Community Education and Workforce Development.

Motto published her first novel, “A Knit of Identity,” in 2022. Prior to the novel’s publication, she was published in So to Speak Journal and Waxing & Waning: A Literary Journal. She earned a Master of Fine Arts from George Mason University, and is currently the Writing and Tutorial Support Coordinator in Cayuga’s Learning Commons-Academic Support.

“What Sarah and I do as writers is deeply personal, often unpredictable, and always demanding. We’ll be talking about what it means to sustain a creative life while balancing day-to-day responsibilities and what it takes to stay committed to storytelling,” said Motto.

Yaw’s first novel, “You Are Free To Go,” won the CNY Book Award in fiction and the Engine Books Novel Prize. She’s served as the guest fiction editor for the literary journal Stone Canoe and holds a Master of Fine Arts from Sarah Lawrence College. She is currently a Professor and the Director of K-12 Partnerships & Academic Pathways at Cayuga.

“I’m excited to join Chris in discussing our writing experiences and the challenges of pursuing that passion while also handling the pressures life can throw at you. Finding balance so your creativity isn’t overwhelmed by other responsibilities can be difficult, but it’s important to find those avenues to express yourself artistically. I’m looking forward to sharing my thoughts on this and hearing Chris’s suggestions as well,” said Yaw.

Future entries in the Cultural Speaker Series this fall include “Understanding Addiction: A Dialogue on Reasons, Roles and Recovery,” scheduled for Oct. 20 in Fulton, Cayuga County Veteran Benefits and Resources (Nov. 3 in Auburn) and Oswego County Veteran Services (Nov. 17 in Fulton).

To register or for more details on the Cultural Speakers Series, call 315-294-8841 or visit https://cayuga-cc.edu/community/community-education/.