By Kevin J. Sabo
For the Advance
A young Calgary author with ties to the community will be stopping in at the Purple Platypus used bookstore on May 8th to sign some copies of her new book.
Jayden O’Hara, the granddaughter of Karen and Francis O’Hara, is the author of a book titled Human: Breaking, Healing, and Flourishing. The book is a poetry book featuring all original poetry written mainly during her teenage years.
“I wrote it to help build a community as poetry has been a bigger trend over the years,” said O’Hara.
“I’ve been influenced by reading all the poetry books I’ve collected over the years, and kind of wanted to add to that.”
O’Hara published the book during the COVID-19 pandemic to, “Help support others with their mental health” during this ongoing crisis.
Sales of the volume have been going well, with O’Hara having pre-sold 50 copies of the book prior to the release. Since the book went on sale, O’Hara said that the book has been selling pretty good through online retailers such as Amazon as well.
The poetry book is being sold in Castor at the Purple Platypus, though there are limited copies available.
O’Hara will be in Castor on May 8th signing copies of her book from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. Copies of the book are selling for $17 in the store.
When she’s not writing, O’Hara can be found at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, where she is currently working on a Hospitality Management program.
“It’s been a little tricky (with the pandemic),” said O’Hara.
“But I’m almost done.”
Regarding her writing, she has already started on another book.
“I’m starting to get to another book,” said O’Hara.
“I’m hopeful in the next two years to have a second one (done).