A 2023 Pfeiffer University graduate is already on her way back to campus — this time as a published author.

Louisa Parrish, who writes under the pen name of Lucia Jex-Blake, will return Oct. 22 for the annual fall author event as the guest speaker.

Parrish, who grew up in Denton, published her debut novel, “Artifacts of Fae,” in 2022 while a a student.

“I did not start working on this book until Covid had shut everything down,” Parrish said. “Being heavily isolated due to my CF (cystic fibrosis) led to me finally beginning to write my first book.”

Parrish said her cystic fibrosis actually led to her interest in reading and writing.

“It is a genetic disease that I was born with that mainly affects the lungs and digestive system. I have been fortunate to be relatively healthy most of my life, due to being extremely diligent with treatments and avoiding dangers to continue staying on top of my health. I have had to wear a percussion vest for hours a day when at my sickest, which led to a lot of time seated with nothing to do,” she said. “I quickly turned to books as a way to escape while doing treatments. My love for books led me to believe that I could write such a book that may provide a delightful escape for others.”

Parrish explains the plot of her book.

“ ‘Artifacts of Fae’ follows the main character, Geena, as she is on the run from a group of wizards trying to harm her. She finds an unexpected safe haven that contains faeries, especially ones that knew her late mother. She doesn’t know who she can trust and if she is truly safe anywhere,” she said.

Parrish hopes to make the story into at least a trilogy.

“At the event on Oct. 22, I will be talking about my lengthy journey of deciding to write my first book and things that helped me tap into my creativity during a dull time in the world, the pandemic,” she said. “I am looking to make writing my career, although it may be difficult. Writing is one of the passions I have harbored the longest.”

The author event is $40. Contact Paige Jackson with Pfeiffer University Friends of the Library at paige.jackson@pfeiffer.edu for more information.