The Oak Lawn Public Library, 9427 S. Raymond Ave., kicked off its adult and teen summer reading season with a Local Author Showcase featuring a book fair and 30 authors June 12.
By Kelly White
Oak Lawn Public Library opened its doors to the summer season and to its local authors.
The library, 9427 S. Raymond Ave., kicked off its adult and teen summer reading season with a Local Author Showcase featuring a book fair and 30 authors June 12.
“Thirty authors, two hours, and lots of fun conversation and great books all in one place,” Kate Donley, Adult Young Adult Programming Librarian at the Oak Lawn Public Library, said. “We could not think of a better way to start the summer reading season than to highlight the great works of authors in our area.”
For the second year in a row, the Local Author Showcase has been a hit with authors as well as patrons, and what made it so unique was that one third of the participating authors were from the Oak Lawn area. The remaining authors came locally, as well, from other south suburbs and from the city, itself.
The authors in attendance have written mysteries, thrillers, historical fiction, young adult, fantasy and memoir. There were a few nonfiction authors who wrote about finance and health, and several authors focusing on wellness and self-help. New this year were poets and a coloring book author who dressed as a mermaid.
“Patrons had a chance to meet authors and they were very excited to connect with readers,” Donley said.
The library put out a call for participants in its local newsletter and re-invited some authors who’ve participated in other Oak Lawn Public Library author showcases in the past, including Fan Fest, held in May of 2023.
More than 200 people attended last year’s showcase and this year was not any different, according to library staff.
First-time featured author at the Local Author Showcase, Ciara Ward, said, “I was excited to just share my books and be around other authors. I love to network and the potential to sell books a bonus.”
Aside from author meet and greets, attendees had the opportunity to browse and purchase from a special collection of books provided by Bookie’s in West Beverly. There was also a drawing for some great prizes, including a prize package from Bookie’s, and an ‘Illinois Love Basket’ comprised of handmade goods, memorabilia, and snacks from beloved locations across Illinois.
The Local Author Showcase also served as a preview for the library’s National Novel Writing Month programming this upcoming fall, including a fantasy world-building workshop, and a how-to session on independent and traditional publishing.
The Oak Lawn Public Library, 9427 S. Raymond Ave., kicked off its adult and teen summer reading season with a Local Author Showcase featuring a book fair and 30 authors June 12.
“We loved hearing the authors and readers talking together,” Emily Bettcher, Fiction Librarian at the Oak Lawn Public Library, said. “Even though we’re at a library, it’s great that the Local Author Showcase is such a loud, fun event.”
Bettcher described the Local Author Showcase as a dream come true for the library, and, authors agreed, including Victoria Witkewitz, an Oak Lawn High School graduate who now writes highly successful thriller novels.
“The library was my headquarters for study time and working on research projects,” Witkewitz said. “It was exciting to come full circle to give back to the community I came from.”
Authors present at the event included: Emily Hornburg, Alanna Turner, Ciara Ward, David Kennerson, Emily VanderBent, Frank Accettura, Frank Victoria, George Tackes, Gerry Parran, James P. Kraiss, Jennifer Worrell, John Crivellone, Joseph L. Weisz, Juanita Santillan, Ken Jackson, Lisa Peters, Lucille Freeman, Mim Eichmann, Nubia Shambee, Pat Camalliere, Rebecca Garner, Richard Groth, Sheila Maloney, Stephanie E Wilson-Coleman, Terry Foote, Tiffaney “Fenyx Blue” Washington, Victoria A. Witkewitz, Zachary Jeffries, Melanie Holmes, Farrell McNulty, Matt McCrea and Brian Lorz.