East Chicago native Gloria McMillan is putting together a short story collection, Children of Steel, and she is seeking contributors from across the “Rust Belt” cities in the East and Midwest.
To that end, McMillan recently held an informational meeting at the East Chicago Public Library to let people know what she is looking for.
“The goal is to get out a collection of stories from our writers in the ‘Rust Belt,’ create a regional literature, and connect with others who grew up in industrial towns,” she told the audience. “There are so many misconceptions about the steel towns and the families who live(d) there.”
Currently a resident of Arizona, McMillan two years ago first came up with the idea of penning a book that would paint a different picture of steel towns and their families by debunking some of the myths and pre-judging about them. And what better way to do this that chronicle personal stories, she told the visitors.
When McMillan traveled to East Chicago last year for her Washington High School class reunion, she casually mentioned her book idea to classmates, but hadn’t formulated exactly how she would be researching for its content.
Some of those classmates were in the audience at the recent meeting.
“I think this (book) is a wonderful idea,” said Laura Lopez of East Chicago. “Gloria is really concerned about the opinions of our area and other steel towns. So this book will put them in a good light.”
For those growing up on the Indiana Harbor side of East Chicago, the main library on Columbus Drive was always a hub of activity in the neighborhood. And the institution continues to offer programs for all ages.
“I was always there, it was a big part of my life,” McMillan said of her childhood years. “So what better place for me to have my meeting about the new book than here?”
ECPL public relations director LaTonya Hicks agreed.
“When Gloria contacted me about having a workshop here, I was excited about providing an avenue for her,” she said. “We’re happy to support this East Chicago native and her efforts to write a book that will put steel cities in a different light.”
The idea that a writer can change perceptions came to McMillan while working on her dissertation some years back.
Her research covered the topic of Chicago female immigrants. “There was so much people didn’t know about these wonderful women,” she said. “I was amazed at what I found.”
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This led the currently semi-retired research associate at the University of Arizona to believe that readers’ opinions could be altered when they came across information from those personally observing — or personally involved in — the lives of specific peoples and geographical areas,
McMillan describes her call for information as, “Open to people who grew up in steel mill towns and who have a story inside to tell.”
Future plans are to schedule workshops at various locations.
The short story project, which is the McMillan’s third book, does not have a concrete completion date, as the she is still gathering material.
For more information, McMillan can be reached at [email protected]
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.