News: Local Authors' Showcase at Cumberland County Library

Early in April, I signed up for the Local Author's Showcase, at the Cumberland Library in Fayetteville, NC. When it came time to go, I was nervous. I've only done a few of these events, after all, and I'm not exactly a social butterfly. (More like an introverted dragonfly.) But I told myself I was just going to show up, have fun, network, learn, and not put too much pressure on myself.

On Saturday, June 15, I attended the Local Author's Showcase, with a bagful of my books to sell, a box of business cards, and some freshly-made, framed signs. I was surprised (and a little intimidated) by the number of authors who set up booths in the room and how professional they were. Some had screens and toys and merchandise for sale. But I took a deep breath and got set up. Someone came up to talk to me. I started to feel better.
 
All in all, it was a fun day. People were friendly and open. I got hear author's stories and share my own story. I even made a few sales. It was a good reminder, for me, of the power of putting yourself out there. 

Authors and Their Books

These are some of the local authors I had the pleasure of meeting as I made my way around the room:

• Elaine J. Martin, "There Comes a Light" (Memoir)
• Sarah G. Rothman, "Suicidal Samurai" (Historical Mystery)
• R.J. Minnick, "Where the Bodies Lie Buried" (Romantic Mystery)
• Trinity Bursey, "The Little Piano" (Picture Book)
• Nicole Smith, "Passion Fruit" (Christian Spiritual)
• Tiera Edwards, "Chapter 32: Shattered Silence" (Memoir)
• Alison Paul Klakowicz, "Mommy's Big, Red, Monster Truck" (Picture Book)
• Jack Welsh, "Check Canopy" (Memoir)
• Donald Kemp, "Rendering" (Action)
• Annette Gaddy Harper, "Days of Faithfulness" (Christian)

One of the authors, Alison Paul Klakowicz (whose book I bought, by the way), wrote a tremendous article in the Hodge Podge Podcast and Blog with pictures of everyone and their books. If 
you want to get a feel for the event, I suggest you check it out.