“Author, Author”: Library Celebrates Local Writers This Weekend

by Cheryl Homan-Wendell, Adult Services Librarian, Estes Valley Library
This weekend, we’re keeping it local.

It’s a festive occasion when we can invite a local author to the Estes Valley Library, connecting a hometown or regional writer with readers eager to delve into new pages. It becomes a true festival when we can bring together ten — count ‘em, ten — authors all in one event.

Now in its third year, the Love Your Local Authors Festival is happening at the Library this Saturday, February 10, from 1 pm to 3 pm.

This event is special for many reasons. First is the “keeping it local” theme. These writers are all from Estes Park or one of our nearby communities. Some are names you know and count among your neighbors and friends.

A second attraction is the opportunity to hear so many different authors, speaking on a vast variety of topics and from different genres, all in one sitting. Many big cities have an annual book festival. Our event is right-sized for the Estes valley.

A third element is the chance to visit personally with each author. It’s a true ‘mix and mingle’ atmosphere, where you can discuss each author’s inspiration for their book and gain a deeper understanding of the writing or artistic process. Think of it as speed-dating for book lovers.

The “Love Your Local Authors Festival” is a great fit for one of our key strategic goals: lifelong learning, expressed in the words, “Satisfy Curiosity”.

Here’s how it will all happen:

Beginning at 1 pm in the Hondius Room, while attendees are seated, our ten featured authors will give a brief talk about their book. Afterward, attendees can visit one, or two, or all ten authors.

The books being featured at the event range from a mystery-suspense novel to a history of newspaper publishing, and from a globe-trekking motorcycle tour adventure to a coffee-table collection of Rocky Mountain National Park photography. Authors in attendance include (alphabetically): Sara Jade Alan, Suzanne Barrett, Kelly Baugh, Larry Carpenter, Mary Jo Heyen, Juliet McLean, Dawn Normali, Jim Oliver, Gianna Settin, and Erik Stensland.

Most of the authors will have copies of their books available for sale. It’s an excellent opportunity to get an autographed copy for yourself or to give as a gift.

No registration is necessary. We hope to see you on Saturday. In this week of Valentine’s Day love, what fun to show our appreciation for the writers, researchers and creative people right in our midst.

And speaking of Valentine’s Day love, be sure to stop by the Library today, Friday, from 2 pm to 5 pm. In our new Makerspace, you’ll have the opportunity to make your own scrumptious Valentine’s Day chocolate treat. You can bring a treat home for a loved one—that is, if you can resist eating it first.