Local author to speak at Cortez Public Library

Nealson is finalist for 2013 Colorado Book Award

Author Christina Nealson, a part-time resident of the Cortez area, will give her multimedia presentation, “Wild Encounters: The Sacred and the Profane,” at the Cortez Library on May 28 at 7 p.m.

Join Nealson as she weaves spellbinding accounts from her latest book, “Drive Me Wild: A Western Odyssey,” with practical pointers on how to make contact with wildlife, and the spiritual and health imperatives of doing so in today’s fragmented world. Recent scientific evidence makes clear that nature’s capacity to heal is infinite.

Nealson describes “Drive Me Wild: A Western Odyssey,” a finalist for the 2013 Colorado Book Award, as a tale of revelation and response to unlived dreams. Upon shedding 95 percent of her possessions, Nealson pointed her travel life to the back roads of the West, from British Columbia to the tip of the Baja, where her five-year journey evolved into odyssey. Nealson’s life as writer, her marriage and the very essence of the wild — her own and the planet’s — are the questions at the heart of this page turner.

Nealson is author of four books and photographer for four others. She has followed assignments to Africa, Central America and across the back roads of the U.S. West, Canada and Mexico. Her articles have appeared most recently in “High Country News” and “Arizona Wildlife Views.” As the author of traditional and indie published books, she is elated that her indie book, “Drive Me Wild: A Western Odyssey,” has been named a finalist for the Colorado Award.

A question-and-answer period will follow Tuesday’s presentation. Signed copies of Nealson’s books will be available.

Visit www.christinanealson.com for additional information.

Nealson’s books are available in ebook or paper forms.