A nationally known author plans to return to his home state April 18-19 to share his stories with Shelby County residents and students.

Daniel Wallace, author of Big Fish, which was made into a movie starring Ewan McGregor, will be speaking at the Pelham Public Library April 18, and at the Harrison Regional Library in Columbiana April 19.

Wallace, who was born in Birmingham, said he is looking forward to speaking in Shelby County, and called the area a “nostalgic pleasure.”

“I always look forward to coming to Alabama, my home,” Wallace said. “Shelby County is especially important to me because this is where my grandparents lived.

“I remember driving out to see them when I was a boy, when Highway 280 was nothing but pine trees for miles and miles and miles.”

The author will speak at the Pelham Library at 2 p.m., and will speak at the Harrison Regional Library at noon. Wallace will also speak to students at Pelham High School and Calera High School April 19.

Wallace did not detail what he will be talking about during the sessions, but he did provide a few clues.

“I usually don’t know so far ahead of time what I’ll be talking about, exactly, but I wouldn’t be surprised if glass eyes came up now and again,” Wallace said.

The events will be sponsored by the Shelby County Arts Council and the Shelby County Public Libraries, and will be funded by the city of Pelham, the Alabama Humanities Foundation and the Southern Arts Federation.