Celebrate the Freedom of Writing and Being an Author

It’s America’s Birthday Week…Celebrate the Freedom of Writing and Being an Author

This Saturday is the 4th of July … a huge day in America. It’s America’s birthday. For some, the celebration of America’s independence becomes a stretch weekend. 

Since it’s Saturday, it means a long weekend for many, adding Friday,  it will become a three-day get-away time off for many. Neighborhoods and downtown areas will celebrate in full view. Flags will be out. Families and friends planning gatherings for picnics, barbecues, movies, and or just a layback and take a few days off. All a good thing, celebrating a long weekend into the new week.

But there’s more to think about.

• What happened within the walls of what became known as Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was life-changing. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were both debated, adopted, and birthed. 

• Within the Constitution lies multiple Amendments. The First Amendment is essential and critical to what authors do: Freedom of Religion, Speech, and the Press.

  
  

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Amendment 1

Freedom of Religion, Speech, and the Press

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press, or the right of people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. 

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Value greatly that the Founding Fathers lit the author’s writing path with … freedom. Freedom for words and the creation of books. True independence.

ALL authors and writers globally should be joining in a universal cheer and celebration of the power of words. Their meaning … their impact … their ability to make a difference … to create change … to solve problems … to relieve pain … to entertain.

That’s a tremendous amount of power and ability to practice. It’s a very cool thing to think about this 4^th of July week—wouldn’t you agree?

Many in the literary community see and experiencing clouds growing for censoring, even banning of words … of books. More books. In bookstores I visit, I see tables filled with books that are on the banned book lists. One of the inductees into the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame is Avi, the author and winner of the Newbury Medal for Crispin: The Cross of Lead in 2003. For middle school kids, Crispin is an amazing, creative book with twists and turns based in medieval England from Avi’s imagination that hit the banned book list in many states.

A few weeks ago, I was doing a book signing event at the Littleton, Colorado Barnes & Noble. One of the store’s customers buying one of my books revealed that she was heading next to the section labeled Banned Books. She shared that she reads several each year.

I applaud her … and Barnes & Noble for creating special shelving in its stores to highlight books that have exiled.

Honor this day. Embrace the power of your words and that you can still write what you do and publish and get it published and available. There are avenues to make it happen.

Think of the symbolic sparkler of the 4^th. It’s in your hand representing your words, your passion, and your vision. Hold it high for the freedom to write what you can and do.

I’m celebrating with you. And speaking out for the ability to write what I want and publish it. Here’s to you … always remember, your words matter.

Dr. Judith Briles is the award-winning and bestselling author of 49 books and calls Colorado home. When she’s not in the kitchen or in the garden, she’s working with clients as The Book Shepherd, a book and publishing consulting and project management firm that works with authors at all stages of their book to create and publish a book they never regret! She’s the founder of the first Authors’ Hall of Fame exclusively dedicated to ensuring the legacy of authors connected in some way with Colorado.

Judith’s books have been translated into 17 countries with over 1,000,000 copies sold! They have been featured in over 2,000 radio and TV shows including repeat appearances on CNN, CNBC, and Oprah. She has worked with over 1,500 authors and created 500 plus bestsellers. Print publications include Newsweek, People, Time, The Wall Street Journal and … The National Enquirer! Her popular podcast, AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing is dedicated to authors and writers and their success and is ranked in the top ten in four categories on GoodPods.

©2026 Judith Briles – The Book Shepherd™ All Rights Reserved.