Peggy Edwards had a dream—and in 2013, she made it a reality by founding the Village Publishing Club. Frustrated with the high costs of vanity presses and unable to achieve her vision through the Village Writer’s Club, Peggy took matters into her own hands. She rallied 25 Village writers, gathered their signatures, and proposed the idea of a publishing club to the Village. The result? A resounding endorsement and the birth of a new community for aspiring authors.

One of Peggy’s first big ideas was Village Stories, a collection of writings by local members. With the support of Miranda McPhee—who had just self-published two children’s books—the project gained momentum. In 2015, the first edition of Village Stories was self-published, marking a milestone for the club. Funded through membership fees, the annual publication has since become a beloved tradition. Peggy published her 27-page Alfabeto Crossover Alphabet in 2011 for $3,000, which motivated her to find a more affordable way for others to share their work, especially as electronic books and Amazon self-publishing started transforming the industry.

Word of the club’s success quickly spread. Members not only found support to publish their own stories and legacies but also gained valuable writing instruction. By 2021, a new Board of Directors rebranded the group as the “Pub Club.” Membership doubled, creating a vibrant and thriving community and monthly meetings became a hub for sharing expertise and insights on the publishing process.

But Peggy’s vision didn’t stop there. She also dreamed up two signature events: September’s Storytelling sessions and the annual Author Forum. Both have grown into highly anticipated highlights of the year. Guided by her belief that “We are our stories. We may not all be prepared to write a book, but we all have a story to publish,” Peggy’s passion and determination left an indelible mark on the Pub Club. Today, her legacy lives on in the voices and stories of every member she inspired.