ATHENS - Most football fans are used to hearing Malcolm Mitchell's name called for catching touchdown passes in Sanford Stadium, but many casual fans probably aren't aware that the University of Georgia's star wide receiver is also a published author.
Mitchell penned The Magician's Hat this year, which marks what he said was a long journey into literacy.
"When I first got here to the University of Georgia, for lack better words, ... reading was not important in my life--that it was simply seen as something people do," said Mitchell.
The redshirt senior said as he grew as an individual, he began to realize the impact that reading could have on his life.
"That really made me become more active in that process--that picking up a book could really change everything else," said Mitchell.
The Valdosta native said the book is really a reflection of his journey of developing his reading skills.
"I think the book is a great representation of how reading has influenced me and where I stand in my belief in the impact reading has on one's life today, because the book talks about this character named David who--through reading--inspires kids (to) become whatever they choose to be," said Mitchell.
Children's literacy, Mitchell said, is one of his main motivators for writing.
"It means a lot for me because growing up, I don't think that I did like reading. I think when I reflect back on my younger years ... my question to everybody else would be: why should I read? I was always led to athletics , and it doesn't take being able to read to catch a pass," said Mitchell.
Now, Mitchell sees things the other way around.
"In order to become bigger than somebody who can do things athletically, reading, honestly, needs to be a part of your life," said Mitchell.
What brought all this attention to him in the first place was a story that came to light, incidentally, around the time of the South Carolina game in 2014, when national news outlets featured Mitchell and his otherwise all-female book club on their networks.
Mitchell is still a part of that group.
"I'm in the same place, if not in a better place, with that book club, from when I first began. I still try my best to make it to every book club meeting we have," said Mitchell, adding that they meet on a monthly basis.
He channeled that energy into his book, which premiered in August.
"The sales have been going pretty well. People reach out to me on social media to let me know what they think and how they feel about it, which I greatly appreciate," said Mitchell.
Those interactions are fun, he said, but don't represent the most difficult part of being an author.
"The hardest part about writing is seeing it, to be completely honest, because it's like seeing yourself--or at least a part of you--for everybody else to judge," said Mitchell.
For now though, Mitchell said the reaction to the book has been "phenomenal."
It is available for purchase on Mitchell's website or at the UGA Bookstore, located in the Tate Plaza, near Sanford Stadium.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/9/336932/uga-wr-malcolm-mitchell-reflects-on-journey-to-become-published-author