Medina Native Joanna Gardner Launches Debut Work at Author's Note

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MEDINA NATIVE AUTHOR JOANNA GARDNER (MHS ‘88) LAUNCHES DEBUT WORK, THE PRACTICE OF ENCHANTMENT, 11/23/24 AT AUTHOR’S NOTE

Medina, NY, October 1, 2024:  On Saturday, November 23rd at 3:00 p.m., Medina native author Joanna Gardner, PhD, will visit Author’s Note, Medina’s independent bookstore, to discuss and sign her debut book, The Practice of Enchantment, a collection of essays on the transformative power of mythology. She will read from her book, discuss her research and insights, and answer questions.

Joanna Gardner grew up in Medina and graduated from Medina High School in 1988, and now makes her home in Santa Barbara, California. She is the sister of Medina author Julie Berry, who owns Author’s Note.

The Practice of Enchantment is a new book published by the Joseph Campbell Foundation. Joseph Campbell (1904-1987) was a renowned scholar and mythologist best known for his exploration of widespread themes in mythology and storytelling, particularly through his influential concept of the "Hero's Journey," and his groundbreaking book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces.

Gardner compiled essays she wrote during the Covid pandemic, inspired by Campbell’s work, to create The Practice of Enchantment. This volume demonstrates that applying the power of myth to the challenges of life can bring new perspectives to difficulty and transform monotony into enchantment. Gardner brings her expertise as a mythologist, writer, and teacher to these essays, which explore myth as it intersects with life and creativity. 

With essay topics including tricksters, dreams, goddesses, and family, The Practice of Enchantment is perfect for lovers of myth and the classics, seekers of magic and wonder who may feel lost in the modern day, and any readers interested in expanding their lens of understanding our world. 

Gardner says, "Writing these essays helped me experience imagination, metaphor, beauty, and bliss, and helped me understand more fully that these abstract ideas are renewable resources. I believe they surround us like radio waves of enchantment. The more I tune into them, the more the signal strengthens."

Joanna Gardner, PhD is a writer, mythologist, and magical realist whose focus areas include myth, creativity, wonder tales, and goddesses. Joanna serves as adjunct professor in Pacifica Graduate Institute’s Mythological Studies program, and as director of marketing and communications for the Joseph Campbell Foundation. She is the lead author of Goddesses: A Skeleton Key Study Guide, and a co-founder of the Fates and Graces, hosting webinars and workshops for mythic readers and writers. For more about Joanna’s work, visit her website at joannagardner.com.

The Saturday afternoon event at Author’s Note is free and open to the public. Pre-ordering copies is recommended. For those unable to attend, signed books can be ordered at authorsnote.com. Please contact Author’s Note for more information at (585) 798-3642 or visit authorsnote.com/events.