Delta Gamma - Northwestern University

Delta gamma home aSSoCiatioN of NorthweSterN UNiverSity Sigma Chapter p.o. Box 6097 evaNStoN, il 60204-6097 Address Service Requested A lwAy s ANCHORED publicist, social media guru, and chief cheerleader, keeping herself motivated and believing in her ability as a writer in a very crowded marketplace. She self-published her second book, Crossing Lines, in July 2020. Inspiration for her second novel came from gun-rights/gun-control activism following the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, in 2018. "Each book took about a year. Crossing Lines was easier to write because I had more confidence in myself to do so, but I thought I would find more support from agents since my debut novel, Spoken, was selling well and had great reviews. I got no love from agents for Crossing Lines," she stated. "Luckily, I knew self-publishing has its own rewards. Since I am the captain of the ship, I was able to publish Crossing Lines immediately and not wait for the typical year or more that traditional publishing houses require before they publish a novel they acquire." At the end of 2020, Melanie published a children's book, Oliver's Birthday and the Robin's Nest. "The combination of a Midwestern winter and the pandemic gave me more time to be creative," she added. "I am so thrilled that all my books are getting great reviews. The effort has been worth all the focus I have poured into my writing and publishing." Melanie also manages the Oak Park and River Forest High School Scholarship Foundation. Her position enables her to remain engaged with teenagers and close to the inspiration for her young adult novels now that her children are in their 20s. As for her Delta Gamma experience, it grounded her and allowed her to focus on what was important at Northwestern: her friends, her journalism courses, her school assignments, and cute boys. The support she received from her ΔΓ sisters in college and beyond has undoubtedly helped her succeed and gain confidence. "My ΔΓ sisters are so supportive of my journeys, writing and otherwise. They always have my back and I have theirs. I had no idea when I was 18 that I was gaining a true sisterhood, but I am so blessed," she shared. "When I was 20 years old, I decided to ask a cute guy I had noticed around campus to a ΔΓ date party. That 'cute guy' is now my husband, and this spring we celebrated our 31st anniversary." Melanie and her husband, David, reside in Oak Park, Illinois. For more information, visit her website at www.melanie-weiss.com. She is available for online workshops with students in first grade through high school. "Feel free to reach out," she added. "I am always happy to talk writing with a fellow ΔΓ." What motivated you to join a sorority, and why was Delta Gamma the best fit? "Growing up in New York, I was not too familiar with the sorority system. I got swept up in the excitement of recruitment and met the most caring, wonderful people at Delta Gamma. I was so thrilled to become a ΔΓ before I even knew how much of a family I was joining." Do you have a favorite book and author(s), or books/authors that inspire your writing? "I love reading historical fiction and novels that tell a rich story, so that in the end I have gained wisdom and learned something new. I am an avid reader with an eclectic bookshelf, but favorite authors include Ann Patchett, Ian McEwan, and Joyce Maynard." FINDING HER VOICE (Continued from front) Melanie Weiss '86 with some of her ΔΓ sisters.

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