Penn Township author to offer tips on book publishing

A Penn Township author who has self-published two fictional books and is working on a third one says she loves what she is doing, even if she will not get rich from pursing her passion in writing.

“I sell my books for $10. It’s not always about money. You have to be realistic,” said Leslie Savisky, 43, of Harrison City.

Savisky, who also is a freelance writer for Trib Total Media and “Pittsburgh Parent” magazine, will discuss the challenges of writing a book and the pros and cons of self-publishing during a program from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 29 at the Sewickley Township Public Library, 312 Sewickley Ave., Herminie.

She has previously written “Other People’s Words,” a fictional account that draws from some of her experiences as a burglary victim. She followed that up with a second book, “Almost Too Late,” a fictional thriller which takes place around the Chesapeake Bay.

Savisky is working on her third book, another fictional thriller. She has not finalized a title for the novel, which takes place in the Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area along the Delaware River that separates Pennsylvania from New Jersey.

Savisky said she took creative writing classes at Seton Hill University and that has helped in writing her books. She graduated with a degree in criminal justice and sociology.

When writing her book, Savisky said she has a general idea of what is going to happen in the story and where it is going, then builds the supporting characters to fill the story line. She writes in her free time, some of which occurs when her daughter is in kindergarten, she said.

Savisky relies upon family and friends to read over her manuscripts with a critical eye, offering editing suggestions where they believe are needed.

“I love doing it,” Savisky said of her writing.