"People say that it takes a village to raise a child — but apparently it also takes a village to write a book."

Olivia Snow, a local author from Klamath Falls, has just completed her debut young adult fantasy novel, "Mount of Lost Memories." Her journey to publication is as captivating as the story she's written — showcasing the power of community support and perseverance.

A Dramatic Beginning

Olivia's writing journey began in an unexpected place — the labor ward at Sky Lakes hospital.

As she recalls:

"I finished the first draft of my young adult fantasy novel, Mount of Lost Memories, while in labor at Sky Lakes hospital. The amazing nurses became my impromptu cheer squad, reminding me to breathe while I…"

— finished her draft.

That story is the perfect opening for a book that's about persistence, identity, and finding a path when the world doesn't seem to want to give you one.

Finding Time to Write

Like many aspiring authors juggling family responsibilities, Olivia faced the challenge of finding time to write.

Her solution came in an unexpected form — the local YMCA.

"I got a membership, dropped the kids off at the child watch, and found a chair outside the cardio room to write."

The YMCA Becomes a Writing Partner

The YMCA staff, noticing her dedication, went above and beyond to support her efforts.

They provided her with a desk — rescued from the roadside and refurbished — complete with a nameplate, so she had a dedicated writing space at the Y to return to day after day.

That's the kind of thing that doesn't happen at corporate gym chains. The Y noticed a member doing real work and built a space around her — turning a fitness facility into a writing room for one person who needed one.

It's also exactly the kind of story that explains why the Y is such a meaningful institution in Klamath Falls. The relationships members build there go well beyond fitness.

A Community Effort

Olivia's journey didn't end with the first draft. Her Klamath Falls friends — including a:

  • Nurse
  • Photographer
  • Yoga instructor
  • City employee

— offered their time and insights to strengthen the story.

After seven drafts and countless hours of work, "Mount of Lost Memories" was finally ready for publication.

That cross-discipline circle of readers — a nurse's eye for medical realism, a photographer's eye for visual scene-setting, a yoga instructor's perspective on embodied experience, a city-government insider's grasp of how authority and bureaucracy work — gave the book a richer, more textured feel than most debut novels achieve.

Celebrating Success

To celebrate the completion of her book and honor the community that supported her, Olivia is hosting a launch party at the YMCA on Saturday, December 14th, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Attendees will have the opportunity to:

  • Chat with the author
  • Purchase signed copies
  • Collect special edition stickers and bookmarks

If you're a Klamath Falls reader, a local-author fan, or someone who's been thinking about writing your own book — show up. Olivia's story is one of those local moments worth being part of.

About the Book

"Mount of Lost Memories" is a young adult fantasy novel available on:

  • Kindle Unlimited
  • eBook or paperback on Amazon

The Story

The story follows Mayra, an outsider in her clan, who is given a chance to prove her worth by stealing magic from the mysterious Mount — an isolated mountain fortress.

A YA fantasy with an outsider protagonist, a quest narrative, magic at the center, and a fortress full of secrets. That's a setup with strong genre instincts behind it — and Olivia's seven-draft process means the execution should hold up.

Olivia's Closing Thought

"Though the story ends with 'The End' (spoilers!), it truly begins each time someone like you opens the book and dives into its pages. After all, readers…"

— make the book come alive.

Why This Story Matters

Olivia's path — first-time author, finished a novel while a young mom in active labor, supported by a circle of friends from across professions, used a YMCA chair as her writing studio — is the kind of story that demystifies the question of who gets to write a book.

Anyone can. It takes time, it takes community, it takes refusing to give up across seven drafts and countless rounds of feedback. But the door isn't locked. Olivia walked through it. So can the next Klamath Falls author with a story to tell.

Find the Book

  • "Mount of Lost Memories" by Olivia Snow
  • Available on Amazon (Kindle Unlimited, eBook, paperback)
  • Launch party: Saturday, December 14, 11 AM – 2 PM at the YMCA of Klamath Falls

Pick up a copy. Bring it home. And if you finish it, tell Olivia what you thought — that's the part every author lives for.

Congratulations, Olivia. Klamath Falls is proud of you.