Publication day is here. Every time I finish a book, it feels like a miracle. Publication day feels like another miracle. The whole thing is a mystery, because the creative process is mysterious. That is, who can really explain how that act of translation from imagination to language happens? Not me.

I hope to see local friends and readers tonight at The King’s English, 7 p.m. 1500 S. / 1500 E.

Coincidentally, today Elizabeth Smart testified against the man who kidnapped and raped her. I will not say “the accused” or “the alleged” because I’m not a journalist, and he did it, no question. He’s avoided trial for seven years by acting crazy in the courtroom, lying, and manipulating the system. As Elizabeth testifies, he is a master manipulator. I wish that Elizabeth had been allowed to face her captor, the way she wanted to, but he robs her even of that. (I say “coincidentally” about her testimony today because Once Was Lost was partly inspired by the Elizabeth Smart case and I started writing it that summer.)

Now, go read Colleen Mondor’s post at Chasing Ray about book banning and Roman Polanski. It all connects. Colleen writes:

We argue what the word “no” meant when said by one child, one night, decades ago (and if the man who ignored it is to blame for ignoring it) and we then turn and say No and No and No and No again to so many intellectual choices for so many other children. We deny them the right to learn about the world through books – the most benign method possible – and then wonder why they learn badly when left on their own.

The world is not always a beautiful place. Sometimes it is. Sometimes life is beautiful. And I love to see that reflected in stories and art. But, often it is harsh, and perplexing, and sad. Often there’s no justice. Usually there’s a gulf between how things are and how they could or should be. Can stories step into that space between what’s beautiful and good, and what’s broken and unjust, and make a bridge? Walk along side? Hold a hand? Shine a light? Expose what’s wrong or evil and call it what it is? Flash a warning? Redeem?

I say yes, and without intending it, that yes is there in everything I write, because that’s what I believe about stories.

Happy launch day, happy Banned Books Week, a national celebration of the freedom to read. May we all continue to not only exercise our freedom, but demand it.

(If you haven’t read Carol Lynch Williams’ The Chosen One, now is a good time. She so beautifully describes a moment at which a captive teen girl understands that even if she can’t get away, she can read, and keep her mind free.)