Westerville Public Library unveils 2024 Meet the Authors series
The Westerville Public Library has announced a full lineup of guests for its 2024 Meet the Authors series, with writers of varying backgrounds and genres set to visit the library and other central Ohio sites for presentations, Q&AS and book signings.
The series is designed to inspire a love of reading, feature voices that energize community conversations and support the arts while providing an enjoyable literary experience.
Most of the events are geared toward adults, but there’s plenty for the younger set as well, such as an appearance by Columbus author J.P. Mitchell on Feb. 3, whose book, “Sweet Fire” is described as a “concept picture book anthem for every girl who has believed she was ‘too much.’”
Mitchell’s visit, suitable for ages 2 to 8, will begin at 2 p.m. in combined Meeting Rooms A and B.
Ta-nehishi Coates
At 3 p.m. Feb. 4, Ta-nehisi Coates, National Book Award-winning writer and former national correspondent for The Atlantic, will appear in conversation with Sophia Fifner, president and CEO of the Columbus Metropolitan Club.
Coates will discuss his career, which includes penning “Between the World and Me,” “The Water Dancer,” “The Beautiful Struggle,” “We Were Eight Years in Power,” as well as many contributions to Marvel’s Black Panther and Captain America comics series.
Tickets for his presentation at the Upper Arlington High School Performing Arts Center, 1625 Zollinger Road, range from $25 to 50 at westervillelibrary.org/authors.
Mary Roach
Two events will welcome author Mary Roach on April 10, beginning with a private dinner at 5 p.m. at the Asterisk Supper Club, 14 N. State St, Westerville. The dinner, which is limited to 30 people, costs $100 per person, which includes admission and priority seating at Roach’s public Meet the Author event at 7 p.m. at Westerville Central High School, 7118 Mount Royal Ave.
At the public appearance, guests will learn about the weird side of space science — such as what happens if you vomit in your space helmet — during an interview with Roach about “Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void.” Moderated by Ann Fisher, the event is intended for adults and teens 12 to 17, and will be followed by an audience Q&A with sign language interpretation, a book sale hosted by The Book Loft and a book signing.
Tickets for the public event only cost
$25 for adults and $12.50 for students and senior citizens. Sales for both events will begin Feb. 1 or sooner, so keep an eye on the library’s website.
Jerry Craft
Jerry Craft, author of the graphic novel “New Kid,” in which a Black middle-schooler at a predominantly white academy finds himself torn between two worlds, will conduct a virtual chat at 7 p.m. April 30. The webinar is presented by WERISE of Greater Westerville, which leads anti-racism efforts in
the community. Registration is required on the library’s website.
Rob Harvilla
Music-loving readers can revisit the songs of an entire decade with rock critic and local author Rob Harvilla as he shares details about the podcast, “60 Songs That Explain the ‘90s,” and his latest book by the same name. Harvilla will speak at 7 p.m. May 2 in Meeting Rooms A and B at the library, with a book sale and signing to follow.
Other authors scheduled to visit the Westerville Public Library are:
● 6:30 p.m. Feb. 8: Libby Kay, author of “Falling for You,” Meeting Room A (registration required on library website)
● 6:30 p.m. Feb. 13: Frank E. Dobson Jr., author of “The Impact of Congresswoman Cardiss Collins,” Meeting Room A
● 6:30 p.m. April 4: John Morgan, guitarist and author, “Healing Music: Tuning Out Cancer, Tuning in Hope,” Meeting Rooms A and B
● 2 p.m. April 14: John Biemer, author of “Baby Buckeyes,” Meeting Rooms A and B (suitable for ages 2 to 8)
● 6:30 p.m. May 16: David Meyers, author of “The Kahiki Scrapbook,” Meeting Room A
bpaschal@dispatch.com