The novelist Ernest Hemingway once famously said, “It’s none of their business that you have to learn to write. Let them think you were born that way.”
Hemingway, the master of letters can make the claim to be born a writer; many authors are happy to acknowledge the struggle and pain of getting the book in their minds out to the world as their rite of passage as a writer.
On April 29, Firefly Bookstore in Kutztown will be hosting their 5th annual Author Pavilion in conjunction with the Kutztown Block Party. The pavilion will include 16 local published authors presenting their works.
Each year Firefly assembles a schedule of local authors, visiting the Author Pavilion in groups for an hour apiece. The authors are there to introduce their books and talk to readers.
Firefly owners Rebecca Laincz and Matthew Williams refer to this event as an “Invitational” and say that the guest list is selected from a roster of local authors from Kutztown and across Berks County. Some attendees are doing the Pavilion for the first time. Some authors are returning with a brand new title.
For example, Kevin McCloskey is introducing his newest title, “Snails are Just My Speed!” at the Block party, and again on May 5 at Firefly. This is his 4th book for publisher Toon Books featuring animal and nature subjects for children.
There are a number of other titles for children being presented, including Dori Hoch’s Bunny Brothers series, Nadine Poper’s Dachshunds books, Janet Evans’ “What My Hands Can Do” and Laura E. Wolfe’s “Sasha and the Dragon.”
Books for teens are also included in this year’s Pavilion, with Melissa Koberlein’s Fireflies Young Adult series, Stormy Russell’s Separation trilogy along with new author Rowan Hand and her book “The Monsters’ Guild.”
Adult titles include George Sirrakos’ book of essays addressing contemporary issues in the classroom. Patrick Suglia will have his books on adults living with autism. Nancy Kauffman will have her book of poetry “A Rose Too Red.”
The Pavilion is an opportunity for more than discovering a new author. Williams encourages writers looking at paths to publication to see this as a unique opportunity to talk fellow authors about different approaches to getting their work in print.
“Our authors all have their own stories to tell about getting published,” says Williams. “Some come through traditional contacts with established publishers. Others are taking various self-publication avenues, adding a ‘DIY’ ethos to the process.”
Firefly Bookstore also hosts a writing group that meets weekly. New members are welcome to join and engage with other writers in getting feedback with developing their work. They meet each Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. at Firefly.
Laincz expressed how the Pavilion puts a spotlight on the rich and diverse community of authors in the area.
“We’ve met so many established and developing writers in this area,” Laincz observes. “The Block Party is a great space for them to find new readers.”
The Kutztown Block party is organized by the Kutztown Community Partnership. The 2018 Block Party will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 29. The Author Pavilion tent will be in front of Firefly Bookstore at 271 West Main Street. In the case of inclement weather, the authors will be set up inside Firefly Bookstore.
For more information about the block party, see the KCP website at kutztownpartnership.org/kutztown-community-block-party/. For more information about Firefly Bookstore or the Author Pavilion, contact the store at 484-648-2712 or contactus@fireflybookstore.com.
2018 Schedule of Authors12 p.m.
George Sirrakos: (Kutztown) “Between the Word and the Urban Classroom”
Melissa Koberlein: (Allentown) “Fireflies” YA series
Stormy Russell: (Reading) “The Separation and The Elimination” (Separation Trilogy)
Rowan Hand: (Kutztown) “The Monsters’ Guild”
1 p.m. Dori Hoch: (Blandon) “The Bunny Brothers and Pearl of Richmond School”
James E. Johnson: (Topton) “Only Three”
Kevin McCloskey: (Kutztown) “Snails are Just My Speed!”
Nadine Poper: (Blandon) “Frank Stinks!, Dachshunds in Moccasins”
2 p.m. Toby D. Smith: (Mertztown) “Across Eurasia”
Nancy Kauffman: (Fleetwood) “A Rose Too Red” (poetry)
Greg Ritchie: (Reading)- “Animal Adventures”
Carl Peterson: (Kutztown) “Ewan Colin Coupar and a Touch of the Fae”
3 p.m. Anne Jackson: (Morgantown) “A Small Group of Mostly Affable Circles”
Patrick Suglia: (Shoemakersville) “Autism, Spirituality, & Medical Mayhem”
Janet Evans: “What My Hands Can Do”
Laura E. Wolfe: (Kutztown) “Sasha and the Dragon”
