The brains behind Homer and Bart

As a college student, Mike Reiss thought he would go into advertising and "write commercials for Doritos or something." Instead, he became a show-runner, writer and producer of the popular animated series "The Simpsons."

On Saturday, Reiss will speak at 11 a.m. at the Heights Theater in Columbia Heights about his career working on "The Simpsons" as well as his work as a children's book author. His appearance is part of Club Book, a series, funded by the state's Legacy Fund tax, that is bringing best-selling and award-winning national authors to library communities throughout the Twin Cities' region.

"He has universal appeal," said Monica Campbell of Anoka County Library, a sponsor for the Heights Theater event. "We feel he will attract teens as well as older adults because everyone knows Homer Simpson."

Reiss will show clips from his animated work and discuss the differences in writing for print, screen and television. From local novelists to New York Times best-selling authors, Club Book has hosted an array of writers since it began in April. Event organizers say they hope to reach a demographic through Reiss that typically doesn't attend library events.

"I think a lot of Simpsons fans will be in the house for that one," said Rachel Fulkerson, public awareness and communications director for the Library Foundation of Hennepin County. "We expect both children and their parents, people all across the board to come, especially males who typically aren't part of the library audience."

Before anyone knew "The Simpsons" would become a pop-culture hit, Reiss, 51, was one of four writers who went to work on the show, thinking it would only last a few months. After the show's popularity grew, Reiss went from being a writer to a producer and a show-runner (a TV term for executive producer) for the third and fourth seasons.

"That job nearly killed me," Reiss said. He was working 100 hours a week and gained 70 pounds as he oversaw all aspects of the show for two years.

"We've done so many episodes that it's harder and harder not to repeat ourselves," Reiss said. "While working on the ['Simpsons'] movie we were scared every day because we didn't want to disappoint the fans."

Through speaking events, Reiss has received feedback and discovered what fans really think of the show. Ten years ago, Reiss recalled, he spoke in Minneapolis at what was supposed to be a 200-person event. A snowstorm came through and only two couples attended.

"The two guys loved it, but the wives didn't care for it too much," he said.

Not all of Reiss's creativity has been spent on "The Simpsons." In a couple of weeks he will publish his 17th book, "Just Too Cute! And Other Tales of Adorable Animals for Horrible Children," a collection of short stories.

Reiss began writing children's books when "The Simpsons" first aired and the show initially received negative feedback.

It took Reiss six years to write 750 words -- his first book, "How Murray Saved Christmas," is about a Jewish man who fills in for Santa Claus.

"I had no clue I would ever be doing any of this," Reiss said. "It was many, many happy accidents and being in the right place at the right time."