About the Author

Fred Maglione is a children’s author, youth development executive, and lifelong advocate for education, leadership, and student success. He is the author of Apix Discovers Florida State, a children’s book that blends imaginative storytelling with real places on the campus of Florida State University.

A proud Florida State University alumnus, Fred’s connection to FSU spans more than three decades. As an undergraduate and later as a law student, he held several leadership roles, including Vice President of the Student Body, President of Order of Omega, and President of Burning Spear. He also contributed to student life through his involvement with the FSU Law Review and many other organizations. He worked briefly for the Seminole Boosters, and the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. His lifelong engagement with the university continued beyond graduation through alumni service and professional collaboration.

Fred has spent more than 20 years working in and around higher education through leadership roles at OmegaFi, advising and supporting organizations focused on student engagement, fraternal life, and campus operations. Today, he serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Chattahoochee Valley, where he leads initiatives focused on youth development, grade-level reading proficiency for elementary-aged children and workforce development for teens.

Across every stage of his career, Fred has been driven by a belief that higher education plays a critical role not only in individual opportunity, but in sustaining a strong and informed democracy. His leadership approach is grounded in data-driven decision-making, discipline, and a methodical focus on outcomes.

Fred’s work as an author is a natural extension of this lifelong commitment to young people. Apix Discovers Florida State was inspired by both his deep pride in Florida State University and his desire to help children see real, meaningful places reflected in the stories they read. The idea for the book began more than 15 years ago when his oldest son was four years old and grew out of a simple question: why should the places the world’s children explore in books always be fictional when the places they love in real life can be just as magical?

He also wanted to ensure that the story went beyond a campus tour or educational guide. Influenced by classic storytelling traditions, Fred built Apix Discovers Florida State around a true narrative arc, complete with a hero’s journey and meaningful lessons about courage, belonging, and self-discovery.

The book follows Apix, a young bee who must leave his hive in search of a new home. Fred intentionally chose a non-human main character so that all children—regardless of background—could see themselves in Apix’s journey. The name Apix is derived from Apis, the scientific genus for honey bees, reflecting both the character’s roots in nature and his unique identity.

At its core, Fred’s writing reflects a belief that it is okay to be different, that courage is found in trying new things, and that every child deserves to feel a sense of belonging.

Fred Maglione lives in Columbus, Georgia with his wife, Sarah and their two boys, where he continues his work in youth development and education while writing stories that help children see themselves in the world around them.