The Escanaba Public Library is pleased to welcome Judge Steve Parks for a special author talk celebrating the release of his debut novel, The Serenity Gang. The event will take place on Tuesday, October 15 at 5:00 p.m. It is free and open to the public.
At age 70, Parks is fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming a published author. He began writing The Serenity Gang in 2019, inspired by the 50th anniversary of Woodstock and the enduring spirit of the generation that came of age in the 1960s and ’70s.
“I always wanted to write a book,” Parks said. “When I turned 64, I realized I wasn’t getting any younger. If I was going to do this, I really needed to do it.”
Set in 2019, the novel follows a group of aging friends—Woodstock attendees and lifelong rock ’n’ roll fans—who confront the challenges of growing older while rediscovering the power of friendship, forgiveness, and community.
“It’s about letting go of the past so you can live for the future,” Parks explained. “Each character has their own regrets and obstacles to happiness, but together, they help each other move forward.”
Parks also reflects on the realities of aging with humor and honesty. “The average life expectancy for a white male in Michigan is about 75. That means you’re about 90 percent dead,” he joked. “But there’s strength in shared struggles. That’s what this book is really about.”
This event is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the Friends of the Escanaba Public Library.
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