Local authors will be in the spotlight Saturday, Nov. 5 when the Indie Authors Group hosts its inaugural book fair at the Okotoks Public Library.
Set to run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the event will also celebrate the first anniversary of the library’s new location.
Indie Authors Group co-founder Laurie Carmichael said the fair will see 14 local authors set up in the program room where they will be selling and signing books. All the authors will also take part in readings beginning at 1 p.m. and will be available to share information about the local authors group.
The fair will also feature a pair of what Carmichael calls “celebrity authors” in Cheryl Foggo and Mary A. Tidlund.
An award-winning author, playwright and filmmaker, Foggo will be joining the event from 11 a.m. to noon. Foggo’s works include Pourin’ Down Rain: A Black Woman Claims Her Place in the Canadian West; the young adult novels One Thing That’s True and I Have Been in Danger; and a children’s picture book, Dear Baobab.
An inspirational speaker, entrepreneur, philanthropist and author, Tidlund, whose works include Memoirs of a Wildcat, will be in attendance from noon to 1 p.m.
There’s no charge to attend the book fair and there will be a dozen door prizes up for grabs, including library passes, books and wine.
Carmichael had much praise for library staff, saying they’ve been instrumental in the growth of the authors club as well as in getting the book fair up and running.
“Without their help, this wouldn’t happen,” she said.
Starting with eight people in May, the Indie Authors Group has grown to more than 20 members as it provides learning opportunities and support on an ongoing basis.
Carmichael said the group is trying to grow its program to meet the needs of authors by offering help with everything from marketing and editing to social media and public speaking. She said new authors gain valuable insights from those who have had multiple books published.
“We call it a community of writers, so whether you’re new to putting pen to page or you’re published and have multiple books, we’re there as a support group,” Carmichael said. “We read, we write, we learn.”
The Indie Author Group welcomes writers to its meetings on the third Thursday of every month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Okotoks Public Library. Email [email protected] or check out the group on Facebook.
