Authors share untold stories of their books
Local authors had a chance to connect with readers at Welland Civic Square on Saturday.
Welland Public Library hosted Local Author Day, which brought in 12 Niagara authors and gave them a table to set up shop while inviting residents to come for the meet-and-greet-style event.
“The authors are enthusiastic,” said Jason Redshaw, the library’s co-ordinator of adult services.
Although the turnout wasn’t as high as he had hoped, he said people who did come were having great conversations with the authors. He said many people were asking questions about the publishing business or how to get into writing and just overall interacting with the authors to find out what they write.
Melissa Ann Peters, an author from Welland, said she loves events such as this because it gives her the opportunity to meet with readers.
She said for her it’s not so much about sharing her own story of going from writer to published author, but meeting people and finding out what they like to read.
It also gives her a chance to meet those who support her and, she said, there are lots of people who are supportive of their local authors.
Her book, Zara Zyon and a Maelstrom of Secrets, is the first book in a series for Grade 6 kids and older. She said she wrote it a long time ago and sent it off to freelance editors, but didn’t like the feedback she’d received.
After earning her creative writing certificate from University of Toronto, she took another stab at the book. She ended up self-publishing. It has been out, including at local book stores such as Coles and Chapters, for about a year.
Grimsby resident Modesta Tonan also shared her journey. For her, it was about breaking down the publishing process so it wasn’t so overwhelming.
“Just take that first step, that’s what I tell people,” she said.
For her, that first step was writing the book because she wanted to.
Her first book, I Belong to You, and the books that will follow it, are autobiographical fiction, meaning they’re based off of reality, but feature characters instead. Most of it, she said, is true, but there are also elements of fiction.
Her book has also been out for just more than a year and she said it’s already received a ton of positive feedback and attention, including having a screenplay version of it being written up.
She said that’s very exciting, but so is the fact that it’s in local bookstores, because having that community support makes a difference.
Redshaw said the library is hoping to continue this event annually.