Authors Around the Bay: A.R. Silverberry

A. R. Silverberry is actually the pen name for Peter Allan Adler. “His novel, Wyndano’s Cloak, delivers a message of encouragement for young people to believe in themselves and trust the treasures they carry inside.”

Peter grew up in Marin, and is a long-time resident of the Bay Area. A licensed psychologist since 1991, he works with children and families in Cupertino, and balances his clinical practice with writing. Wyndano’s Cloak is his first novel, and has captured five book awards. A sequel is in the works. Visit his website at www.arsilverberry.com.

Silverberry will be at Borders Books, San Rafael, on September 25th, 2–4 PM; and Borders Books, Santa Cruz on October 2nd, 2–4 PM. He will donate a portion of author profit to DrawBridge, a nonprofit that provides expressive art programs for homeless and other vulnerable children in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. He encourages donations directly to DrawBridge at www.drawbridge.org.

Did the Bay Area inspire your book?
Absolutely. I like to use real places as jumping off points for settings, and everything I needed for the kingdom of Aerdem was right here. I wrote the book while riding the Caltrain from Morgan Hill to Palo Alto. For inspiration, all I had to do was look out the window to see the farms, fields of mustard, and wildflowers painting the hillsides. The Bay Area is magical. Even as a child, I imagined all kinds of fairy folk lived on Tam or about the trails behind my house in Homestead.

Where is your favorite place to hike/bike in the Bay Area?
The Los Gatos Creek Trail is great for biking or walking. The trail runs right through Vasona Park, where there’s a lake. Sneak preview of the book, the setting for chapter 29 was inspired by Oak Meadow Park, which merges with Vasona Park. If you go there, you’ll see a carousel, and other places where I got ideas.

What is your favorite restaurant in the Bay Area?
Gardino’s in Los Gatos. I love the chicken pesto salad, and the chicken kabobs are to die for.

What is your favorite place to get coffee or tea?
Peet’s. I buy their Mocha Java for my home coffee.

What is your favorite place to shop for clothing?
Macy’s at the Stanford Mall, and Patrick James in Aptos.

If you had an out of town guest coming to visit that had never been to the Bay Area where would you take them?
Can you ask something easier! Muir Woods or Golden Gate Park, but they’d have to choose. For me, there’s nothing like those redwoods. I’m in awe every time I see them.

Favorite independent bookstore in the Bay Area?
Kepler’s in San Mateo. They do a wonderful job bringing children and books together, partner with the surrounding schools, and support nonprofits in their community.

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