Elgin author realizes dream with first novel

Many comic book heroes are not born with the desperate urge to save the world.

Batman, Spider-Man and Wolverine all needed a nudge to start fulfilling their destinies.

Local author and teacher Tim Vaulato has taken fate in his hands after decades of pushing it aside.

Last month, Vaulato self-published 1,000 copies of his first novel, "A Lifetime in Time." He will be signing copies Friday at 7 p.m. at Books at Sunset in Elgin.

Bringing his stories to print has been a long time in the making.

"I actually started coming up with my story in the seventh grade," Vaulato said. Although he had always enjoyed creative writing, he kept it on the back burner, figuring it would be something he could do when he retired. But once he started sharing his ideas with others, it was clear he couldn't wait. His wife and art students at Elgin High School encouraged him to put pen to paper.

His vision came to light after writing for six months and completing 57 original illustrations.

Finding a publisher proved to be a test of determination in itself. With few publishing houses accepting manuscripts from new writers, Vaulato believed his story had a better chance of being heard if he published it himself. His novel can now be found at local stores such as Town House Books in St. Charles and on eBay.

The story focuses on a daydreaming teenage boy named Traven who finds out the world is going to end before he finishes school. Although he is not the smartest or strongest, it becomes his responsibility to save his species. Trips through time and encounters with strange beings are all part of his adventures.

Though the plot does skew to the science fiction genre, Vaulato says all readers can relate to the coming of age story.

"I have a friend who is very anti sci-fi buy a copy of the book," the author described. "I thought he was just trying to be nice. But he actually read it and said he was so into the character development that the elements of the genre didn't bother him."

Vaulato has already completed two more stories for the series. In addition to promoting his novel and starting work on the fourth installment, he is a teacher, musician, artist and family man. How does he find the time? Like many heroes before him, Vaulato may not always know the way but he won't give up until he finds it.

"I'd rather create than be lazy," he laughed.

Perhaps that is his super power.

If you go

What: Local teacher and author Tim Vaulato to sign copies of his new novel "A Lifetime in Time."

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Books at Sunset, 1110 South St., Elgin, (847) 888-1860.

Information: Visit www.alifetimeintime.com.