Local Author Melanie Santostefano Brings Empowering ‘Six Pillars’ to Palatine in Author Talk

PALATINE, IL — To anyone who is navigating life’s twists and turns — whether overcoming hardship, pursuing new goals, or simply striving to live with more intention, local author and entrepreneur Melanie Santostefano has a message: your thoughts have the power to shape your life
On Sunday, September 21, at The Cork, 34 W. Palatine Road in downtown Palatine, Santostefano will host a special community talk and book signing to share insights from her debut work, Thoughts Become Things – Six Pillars to Guide You Through Life.

A Message of Empowerment and Hope

At its core, Thoughts Become Things is about empowerment. For people juggling careers, caregiving, and personal growth, Santostefano’s message is especially resonant: clarity of thought, grounded in timeless values, can turn struggles into strengths.

Her goal, she says, is to help others rewrite their narratives, embrace their agency, and live courageously with purpose.

The book is part memoir, part guide, and wholly rooted in Santostefano’s belief that her Six Pillars - Honor, Humility, Gratitude, Grit, Faith, and Forgiveness can transform setbacks into stepping stones.
“Every single one of us is born with the power to shape our lives and our reality through the tenacity of our thoughts,” Santostefano says. “When our thoughts become filled with clarity, conviction, and courage, our outer world can shift to mirror our inner transformation.”

A Roadmap for Purpose and Resilience

Thoughts Become Things blends heartfelt storytelling with practical self-help tools. Santostefano recounts her own challenges, as well as the lessons of loved ones who inspired her pillars:

• Honor: taught by her Aunt Karen and mentor Hank, who gave her guidance during turbulent times.
• Humility: embodied by her cousin Suzanne, who fought cancer with grace, and her friend Tommy, who lived his life fully after a devastating accident.
• Gratitude: modeled by her Grandma Elena, who found joy in family dinners and life’s simple blessings.
• Grit: personified by her great-grandmother Mary Anne, who left Ireland for America as a widowed teenager with courage and resolve.
• Faith: strengthened through her grandmother Evelyn, who endured the loss of children yet never lost trust in life’s path and plan.
• Forgiveness: hard-won through her relationship with her mother, where letting go of pain became a doorway to peace.

Not only does the book share stories, it also provides practical tools such as journaling prompts, reframing exercises, and affirmations to help readers apply the Six Pillars to their own lives.

Event Details

📍 The Cork, 34 Palatine Road, Palatine
🗓 Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025 | 3 to 4:30 p.m.

• 3 to 3:30 p.m. | Mix & Mingle
• 3:30 to 4 p.m. | Author Talk
• 4 to 4:30 p.m. | Book Signing and Refreshments

Guests can enjoy delicious small plates and adult beverages (available for purchase) while connecting in a welcoming, community-centered atmosphere. Signed copies of Thoughts Become Things will be available, with advance purchase options at ststevenpr.com/thoughts-become-things.

Parking is free on the south side of Palatine Road near Garfield’s and Anne’s Unique Boutique.

About the Author

Santostefano is a longtime Chicago-area entrepreneur and communications leader. She is the founder of Vicarious Multimedia and St. Steven Public Relations, has co-hosted podcasts and broadcasts, and has earned multiple awards for her business and community leadership. With more than 25 years in storytelling and public relations, she is now channeling her experience into inspiring individuals to live purpose-driven lives.