FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Snowfort Welcomes Author Derick Lugo as Winter Writer-in-Residence
Westport, NY — October 1, 2025 — Snowfort, the independent bookstore and creative hub in the Adirondacks, is proud to announce its newest writer-in-residence: acclaimed author and storyteller Derick Lugo. Lugo will live and work at Snowfort through the winter while developing his third book, based on his recently-completed hike of the Pacific Crest Trail.
Lugo is best known as the author of The Unlikely Thru-Hiker, a widely praised memoir that tells the story of a young Black man from the city setting off on the Appalachian Trail with an overweight pack, a “Mr. Fabulous” outlook, and an unshakeable sense of humor. His book explores lessons of humility, preparation, race relations, and resilience on the trail—and it has found a strong audience here in the North Country.
His much-anticipated second book, A Fabulous Through Hike, is due out in February. In addition to his books, Lugo is a sought-after keynote speaker, contributor to numerous outdoor publications, and the host of the Unlikely Stories podcast.
“Snowfort exists to nurture creativity and community through literature and the arts,” said Snowfort’s owner, Amy Robinson. “Derick embodies that spirit perfectly. We’ve already seen the success of his first book in the store, which we can hardly keep on the shelves. The community is eager to hear stories like his.”
This is Snowfort’s fourth residency since launching the program. Previous residencies included two week-long stints by writers Lex Orgera (Asheville, 2024) and Rupert Wondolowski (Baltimore, 2025), as well as a weekend songwriting residency with the Vermont duo JJ Booth.
Snowfort is located in a converted hardware store in Westport, NY, just off Lake Champlain. Along with a curated bookstore focused on small presses, it offers literary and arts-centered programs that nurture creativity and community among North Country children, teens, and adults—as well as writers nationwide.
Media Contact:
Adam Robinson
Snowfort Books
adam@snowfortbooks.com
(443) 938-5091