'20 Lives Ignited' Book Launches at Erie Art Museum

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Thursday, Sept. 22

Did you know that one of Amazon's #1 bestselling books (in the Women & Business category) was three-quarters written by Erie authors?

That book is 20 Lives Ignited: How 20 Women Over 60 are Creating Success on Their Own Terms.

As the title suggests, it offers valuable life lessons from successful women all over the country, with 15 of them hailing from right here in Erie.

Dr. Gae Anderson-Miller, one of the book's authors who helped organize the publication, noted that each chapter aims at detailing something that has been a proven success. "There are so many things in there that I believe would be really helpful," Anderson-Miller said. "You've got everything from job loss to a child overdosing, someone being captured in a van, to people who were abused. There's a whole gamut of the kinds of things that people experience."

Finding success despite hurdles — sometimes horrific — is the throughline of the book. It's meant to be a helpful guide to readers of all ages, sharing the secrets of success these women have found.

"A friend of mine, Linda Staszewski thought about writing a book," Anderson-Miller detailed, citing that due to their numerous connections they could form an impressive anthology. "So she reached out to local people, and was in touch with other members of the Coffee Club Divas."

"So there are people in the book from Hawaii, California, and Texas, but 15 of the authors are from Erie," Anderson-Miller explained.

The book's authors include (in alphabetical order) Sydney Amicucci, Valerie Baltzer, Shelley Chicas*, Bonnie Conley, Susan Dunton, Tarnie Fulloon*, Janet Kassir, Heidi Parr Kerner, Vickie Jones, Thasia Ann Lunger, Vicke Marz, Gae Anderson-Miller, Remlee Peck, Peggy Schwab, Linda Staszewski, Theresa Ream*, Jody Royee*, Tammy Ward, Valerie Weaver, and Tharifah Wenrich* (asterisks indicate non-Erie County authors).

For its special launch party, the authors will be on hand to tell their stories at the Erie Art Museum. The evening will include live music by David VanAmberg and friends, as well as refreshments, and a chance to pick up the book for 15 percent off its price on Amazon. 

5 to 7 p.m. // Erie Art Museum, 20 E. 5th St. // Free // To register, go to eventbrite.com