Paso Robles author Deborah Brasket will discuss why it’s never too late to pursue life’s creative endeavors at the Santa Maria Public Library on March 22. The catalyst for the book talk, Creativity Has No Expiration Date, was the publication of her 2025 debut novel, When Things Go Missing, which she wrote later in life.
“Like many women, I’ve been creating things my whole life: in my home and family, my career and community,” Brasket said in press materials. “Publishing novels is just the latest bloom. Creativity truly has no expiration date.”
When Things Go Missing follows a family in turmoil after the mother disappears, causing her distant husband and two adult children to try to put the pieces back together. It’s available for purchase at Gavin’s Books in Santa Maria or online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. A limited supply will be available at the book talk.
The Santa Barbara County Action Network (SBCAN) and Friends of the Santa Maria Public Library sponsored the free event. Brasket and SBCAN’s co-executive director, Jeanne Sparks, will lead the conversation at Shepard Hall from 2 to 4 p.m. Brasket will sign copies, read passages from her novel, and answer questions about her journey. Registration is required online at sbcan.org/creativity.
Brasket’s second novel, This Sea Within, will be published in June. Reach out to the author by visiting deborahjbrasket.com.
This article appears in March 19 – March 26, 2026.