December 20, 2017
La Roche Professor to be Featured Author at First Night Celebration
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 20, 2017 – Professor of English at La Roche University and author of science fiction for teens and adults, Joshua David Bellin, Ph.D., will be one of the featured authors at this year’s First Night celebration in downtown Pittsburgh.
Dr. Bellin will appear on a panel entitled Creative Firsts with local authors Caroline Carlson and Yona Harvey. Rachel Ekstrom Courage, literary agent and driving force behind the local literary website Littsburgh, is the panel’s moderator.
Dr. Bellin’s novels include the two-part post-apocalyptic series “Survival Colony 9” and “Scavenger of Souls,” as well as the deep-space adventure “Freefall,” which was published in 2017. All three of his novels to date are published by Margaret K. McElderry Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. Liza Fleissig of Liza Royce Agency, New York, represents Dr. Bellin.
“Science fiction provides a lens for looking at the world today, as well as an opportunity to imagine the world of tomorrow,” Dr. Bellin said. “I’m excited to share my love of writing with members of the Pittsburgh community at this year’s First Night.”
Creative Firsts will explore literary and creative firsts—from first sentences to career and personal firsts. This event is appropriate for book lovers of all ages and will be held at Fifth Avenue Place during three half-hour time slots on Sunday, Dec. 31. The time slots are at 6:30, 7:30 and 9 p.m. For more information or to reserve seats, visit firstnightpgh.trustarts.org/events/1975.
About La Roche University: A private liberal arts college in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, La Roche University offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, six graduate degree programs and one doctoral program, with particular strengths in education, business, criminal justice, psychology, and health and medical sciences as well as interior design and graphic design. This residential college provides a vibrant campus community for more than 1,500 men and women enjoying 30-plus student organizations and an exciting NCAA Div. III athletics program. Founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1963, La Roche University embraces its Catholic heritage while welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds. With a legacy of social justice and a commitment to international exchange, La Roche University educates students to be lifelong learners and achievers in an increasingly diverse and global society.
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