Ashland resident Victoria Costello invites local readers to celebrate the publication of her debut novel, “Orchid Child,” which blends history, science, mystery, and magic to tell a three-generation story based, in part, on the author’s Irish-American family. In its review, WritersnAuthors.com called “Orchid Child” “captivating,” and went on to say, “Victoria Costello expertly navigates through the depth and complexity of psychological resilience, neurodiversity and ancient Celtic wisdom to create a story that is both gripping and thought-provoking.”

At Bloomsbury Books, the author will discuss some fascinating discoveries she made while researching her book, including: the science of intergenerational trauma and neurodiversity; aspects of Celtic folklore still influencing Irish culture, including stone circles, fairies and second sight; and little-known history of America’s role in The Troubles, going back 100 years.

Victoria Costello is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, a teacher of life writing at the Osher Lifelong Learning Insitute and Southern Oregon University and WritingWorkshops.com, and the author of a memoir, “A Lethal Inheritance” (Prometheus Books/2012). Her science and parenting articles have appeared in Scientific American Mind, Huffington Post and Psychology Today. Find out about her work at www.victoriacostelloauthor.com.