A banner outside the Clark Pleasant branch of the Johnson County Public Library advertises the Local Author Fair this Saturday. Forty-five writers in all kinds of genres will be present to interact with readers and share their books.
RYAN TRARES | DAILY JOURNAL
Nestled inside the imaginations of some of the area’s most creative people, entire worlds have unfolded.
They’ve created their own science fiction realms, re-imagined historical eras and given life to epic love stories. Others have mined their own lives for humor, poignancy and emotion, finding depth in everything from faith to gardening to raising a child with autism.
Each is unique and wholly different. And this weekend, local residents can explore each of their works.
The Johnson County Public Library will again host its Local Author Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Forty-five authors — including a record 26 from Johnson County — will mingle with readers at the Clark Pleasant branch, share their experiences and offer their books for people looking for their next spring read.
“It’s a great way to showcase new talent. We always have big art events, but I feel like authors get overlooked a lot,” said Erin Cataldi, adult and teen services librarian at the Clark Pleasant branch.. “This was my way of making sure the local authors that don’t always get enough love have an avenue to showcase their work.”
The Local Author Fair is Cataldi’s vision, created as a way to cater to the area’s established and emerging writers. JCPL has built a robust program of author visits to its branches over the years, hosting dozens of best-selling national writers at well-attended events.
But at the same time, Cataldi was interested in supporting local authors, too.
“A lot of people don’t know about these authors, so it’s a good way to spread the word,” she said.
Reaching out to as many area authors as she could find, Cataldi put together a lineup of diverse writers who wanted to take part. More than half are Johnson County residents, while the others come from Brown County, Indianapolis and some of the surrounding donut counties.
The participating writers cover an expansive range of styles and subjects.
David Roller’s novel “The Harbingers of Spring” is a fictional story of hope set in the surroundings of the author’s grandfather’s farm in Brown County. He writes about memories from the first decades of his life, born of childhood loneliness, amid things he would do if he had the choice to get people to come and visit.
J.W. Surface, a New Whiteland writer, has written novels, and his poetry and fiction have appeared in publications such as Etchings Magazine, The Ekphrastic Review and The Bangor Literary Journal.
Daily Journal readers will be familiar with Lori Borgman, an Indianapolis who contributes a newspaper column each week. Also an author and speaker, her books include: “What Happens at Grandma’s Stays at Grandma’s: Stories That Celebrate the Joy and Chaos of Grandparenting,” “I Was a Better Mother Before I Had Kids,” and “All Stressed Up and No Place to Go.”
Whiteland romance novelist A.D. Ellis will be featuring books include “Silver and Sage,” “His Reluctant Cowboy,” “Adore,” and “Holly Hills Christmas.” Brianna Wilson crafts novels for people who are a fan of the big “romantasy” novels like” Fourth Wing” and “ACOTAR,” Cataldi said. The Franklin resident’s debut novel is “Throne of Betrayal.”
“I’m always on the lookout for local authors who I don’t have on my list, but then some of them reach out to the library as well,” Cataldi said.
For people who come out to the author fair, it’s a chance to learn about new books as well as talk writing with the writers.
“It’s a lot of fun. We’ve had a lot of teens come with questions about writing, how to get started. We’ll have people who don’t necessarily come to buy books, but want to talk about the craft,” Cataldi said.
IF YOU GO
Local Author Fair
What: An opportunity to meet 31 local writers in a variety of genres, as well as pick up their books.
When: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Clark Pleasant branch of the Johnson County Public Library, 350 Clearwater Blvd., Whiteland
Cost: Free and open to the public
Participating authors
Katie Andrews Potter, Jean Arthur, Boubacar Cherif Balde, Phyllis Bex, Lori Borgman, Harold “Bud” Boughton, Joannie Bowsher, David M. Cook, Morgan DéMarche, A.D. Ellis, James Ellsberry, Stacey Faubion, The Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana, Kim Freeman, Maria Gray, Kimberly Hoffman, James Hogrefe, Tyler Holt, Sandy James, Marlon H. Johnson, Ta-Kisha Jones, Charles Kelley, Claudia Klein, David Lantz, Joyce Long, Rudy Lopes, Ronald May, Joy McClain, Carol Michel, Linda E. Minton, Jessica Mitchum, Tristra Newyear Yeager, Benjamin Oneal, M.E. Reach, Terri Roberts-Leonard, Andi Robinson, David Roller, Clint Smith, J. W. Surface, Laura VanArendonk Baugh, Brianna Wilson, Joy York, Jennifer Young and Julie Young.
Information: pageafterpage.org/local-author-fair
