William Faulkner. Flannery O’Connor. Stephen King. John Updike. Emily Ruskovich.

Hey, when we’re talking about America’s greatest fiction writers, it’s OK to dream, right?

And who can blame us for dreaming great literary dreams for Ms. Ruskovich?

Now a teacher in Colorado, Emily is a 2004 graduate of Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy. If her surname sounds familiar to you longtime Press readers, it’s because Emily’s father, Mike — a former teacher himself — penned some of the most thought-provoking opinion pieces this newspaper has published over the years.

Emily did her dad one better. In 2015, her short story “Owl” was a winner of the O. Henry Award, of which The Atlantic Monthly declared, “Widely regarded as the nation’s most prestigious awards for short fiction.” Flakes and flukes do not win an O. Henry. Only seriously talented writers do; writers like Faulkner, O’Connor, King, Updike.

And Ruskovich.

Emily followed that up with the brand new release of her first novel, entitled “Idaho,” set in a fictional town in — you guessed it — North Idaho. This brief review summed up many of the dozens we examined on Amazon.com: “This is her first novel? It can’t be… the hype is real. Emily Ruskovich is a very talented writer. Looking forward to her next book.”

Now how proud are you, Mike?

We can debate the source of great gifts. Do they come from God? From winning a genetic lottery? From an environment extraordinarily conducive to nurturing natural talent or ability?

What we do know for certain is that in her recent interview with The Press, Emily went out of her way to thank not just her father, but some of the people who have helped her along the way: Bill Proser, Anna Hertzberg, Diane Riley, Bruce Baker and Cindy Clabby.

Yes: Teachers. Just keep that in mind next time someone makes a disparaging remark about teachers, or asks you to support a school bond or levy.

In the meantime, “Idaho” by Emily Ruskovich is available at The Well Read Moose in Riverstone.