While winter hasn’t completely released its grip, we look forward to the warm and sunny days ahead. We also look forward to one of our signature events: the local author showcase!

On Saturday, June 9th, the County of Lennox & Addington Libraries will hold its 4th Annual Local Author Showcase & Great Big Book Sale. This is an opportunity for the many talented writers in our region to come together and promote their work to each other and the public.

We are frequently approached by people in the community who would like to work with the library to promote their book. In recognition of local literary and creative efforts, the library is always pleased to include the works of local authors in our collection wherever possible. Books assigned to the local author collection are clearly labelled and catalogued as such so patrons can easily access this pool of work. Through inclusion in the collection, the library assists the author's efforts to market his or her work to the larger community. Because of the volume of requests received, however, we just cannot use our resources to regularly host or promote events for individual local authors.

It is still very important to do something to show support for our local writers, though, so several years ago we created this casual, inclusive event where we provide the platform for local authors to promote their own work.

If you are an author from the region, we’d love to have you join us for the event. We will set you up with a table where you can display and sell your book as well as include you on the list of featured authors in our event promotions. The event will also feature a large book sale of used books (4 for $1) as a library fundraiser. Weather permitting, it will even be held outside. This year, like last year, we will be holding this event in conjunction with Greater Napanee’s Riverfront Festival, which we hope will maximize exposure.

If you are a local author interested in learning more about this event, please contact Julie Wendland, Readers’ Services Coordinator, at jwendland@lennox-addington.on.ca or 613.354.4883 ext. 3371. We will be putting a general call out for participants starting around the end of April.

Side note: if you are interested in learning more about our region’s local authors, subscribe to the library’s newly revamped Can-Lit newsletter. Each issue will feature a different local author and their work available to borrow from the library. Sign up by asking a staff member or by visiting our website at CountyLibrary.ca by clicking on NextReads (under Readers’ Advisory).

See you in June!

This article was originally published in the Napanee Beaver.