Gary Presley, author of the acclaimed memoir Seven Wheelchairs: A Life Beyond Polio, from the University of Iowa Press, will speak on creative non-fiction at the Springfield Writers' Guild meeting at 1 p.m., Saturday, July 25, at the Heritage Cafeteria. 

Presley, a former Aurora resident, came late to writing, first inspired by winning an essay contest sponsored by the Joplin Globe. He wrote a few freelance articles before discovering his love for the personal essay. He has had essays published in the Ozark Mountaineer, Salon.com and other venues.

Presley said he is “no wheelchair hero, no inspiring figure preaching patience and gratitude.” He calls himself  “an army brat turned farm kid...who likes words.”

He fell victim to polio at age 17 after a vaccine follow-up shot, never walking again. Now, almost 50 years later, having worn out wheelchair after wheelchair, surviving post-polio syndrome and marrying the woman of his dreams, Presley has redefined himself as “Gimp”... more able to find joy in his family and his newfound religion. He writes in a way that elicits sympathy, understanding and laughter.

Preceding the presentation will be the regular mentor/critique hour beginning at 11 a.m. A lunch break will follow at noon. Visitors are welcome at both the 1 p.m. presentation and the critique hour; however, only writing of members of the guild will be critiqued.

Membership in the guild is open to anyone interested in the writing craft. For more information, go to www.swgsite.org or contact Reta Stewart Allen at 417-883-4647 or allenreta@sbcglobal.net.