Authors hold Read Local event

Jamestown (CSi) The first Read Local event was held recently at the Vet’s Club in Jamestown. Jane Norman introduced the six local authors Bruce Berg, Keith Norman, Bill Kennedy, Laurel Woiwode, Larry Woiwode and Nancy Kuykendall who read from and signed their books. Their work ranges from children’s chapter books, memoir’s, local history and adult novels. Local photographer Troy Gunderson discussed his creative process with his photo’s on display.

After the readings, the audience had the opportunity to visit with the authors and have their books signed. 20% of the proceeds from book sales was donated to the James River Valley Library Capital Campaign.

Future events will be planned that will focus attention on the work of local authors and artists and reinforce the importance of literacy among all age groups.

Finding an audience, traditionally provided by big publishers, now falls to the individual author.

Read Local is an initiative that focus’s attention on their books and literacy in the community. In 2013 there were 302,622 print books and 155,942 e-books, self-published. There were another 304,912 print and 152,000 e-books published by traditional publishers.