ROYAL OAK AUTHORS BOOK FAIR CELEBRATES HOMEGROWN LITERARY TALENT

Representing every genre from Michigan history to memoir, more than a dozen Royal Oak authors will be on hand to sign their books and discuss how they wrote, published, and marketed their titles on Saturday, October 9 (1:30 PM to 4:30 PM) at the Royal Oak Public Library. 

Moderated by Cindy La Ferle, the Library's first Writer in Residence, the Royal Oak Authors Book Fair will kick off at 1:30 with a public panel discussion with the local authors. 

La Ferle, a widely published columnist and author of Writing Home, sees the event as chance to celebrate the literary talent in her own community. "We have so many authors in Royal Oak -- and many have achieved national recognition. This event will represent a sampling of books published by gifted authors in our community," La Ferle says. "I also hope we'll provide encouragement for aspiring authors who want to learn more about writing and publishing books." 

Featured authors include Judy Davids, guitarist for the Mydols and author of the popular memoir, Rock Star Mommy, and Charles Hyde, Editor of the Great Lakes Books series at Wayne State University Press and author of several books on Michigan's automotive history, including Riding the Roller Coaster: A History of the Chrysler Corporation. 

Other highlights include Gerry Boylan, whose novel Getting There was released this summer. Boylan will talk about how he marketed his book with a widely publicized "hitchhiking tour" from Detroit to Atlanta. Longtime Royal Oak journalist John Schultz will also discuss the making of his new book on the history of Royal Oak. 

"The Library is delighted to host this event because a vital part of our mission is to promote reading and local authors," says Rosemary Mirsky, Adult Services librarian at the ROPL. "Finding and sustaining your voice as a writer is challenging, and the Library is eager to do anything it can to help."

Following the panel discussion, books will be available for purchase and all authors will be on hand to sign copies.