This article first appeared in the November/December 2025 issue of KC Studio Magazine.

Kansas Citian Candice Millard has written bestselling books about two presidents, a prime minister, and a wild search for the source of the Nile River. In each one, the clarity of her prose is striking.

For instance, President James Garfield died in 1881. But her description of mourners lining the railroad track for a glimpse of the black-swathed train returning his body to Washington, D.C., makes his death feel recent.

In November, Millard takes the stage at the annual Writers for Readers fundraiser, a conversation and banquet co-hosted by the Kansas City Public Library and the University of Missouri-Kansas City to raise money for the Writers for Readers initiative, a program that employs UMKC creative writing graduate students to teach the art of writing in free classes at the Library. 

“I think that even the most naturally gifted writer needs some experienced, knowledgeable advice,” she says.

The author of four New York Times’ bestsellers, Millard sees a lot of value both in the act of teaching writing and being taught. 

Millard says, “Many a great story has become lost to chaos because the writer didn’t understand character development or how to outline or the importance of sign posting — making sure your reader knows where the characters are, when the action is taking place, etc.”

But, she adds, those skills can be taught.

During the 2024-2025 school year, three interns from the UMKC Master of Fine Arts Creative Writing and Media Arts program taught a total of 72 classes to nearly 500 patrons at the Kansas City Public Library. 

Student Eva Schneider returned to teach in fall 2025. 

She says that over the summer, she felt excited to see the regulars who sign up for her classes. “I've always believed that the heart of my classes comes from the people who attend, so I was ready to dive back into conversation with the community."

Beyond classroom instruction, the fundraiser supports a broader conversation involving both the library and UMKC. 

The two organizations administer the Maya Angelou Book Award, a national yearly prize that celebrates contemporary writers whose work demonstrates a commitment to social justice.  

Each year, one intern assists with the facilitation of the award while also teaching three classes. Click here for more information about the award.  

Register here for the free classes. 

Attend the Writers for Readers fundraiser featuring Millard by purchasing tickets here..