The author fest on Nov. 2 will feature 21 new authors and illustrators; four new workshops; and the Strollin’ Gazette, an iteration of the library’s community magazine, the Golden Gazette.
The Moorestown Library’s third annual author fest – sponsored by the Friends of the Moorestown Library – will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2.
The event will feature 21 authors and illustrators who will sign books. Purchases will be available at each table and authors will accept all types of payment.
“The authors will be ready at their tables starting at 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., so patrons can come and chat with the authors and illustrators,” said Youth Services librarian Ashley Hoffman.
Three workshops throughout the event will be held in the library’s Collab Lab. Roll a Story with Miss Donna, for children ages 5 to 10, will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Registration is not required but supplies and space is limited. Participants will create a story using dice and a Roll a Story board. Each child will be given their own journal to create a story. An adult must remain with children under 10.
Podcasting for Beginners with podcaster Lauren Redding Abdill will be held from noon to 1 p.m. The presentation will cover the basics of how to fine tune an idea for a podcast; teach the technology needed to get started; and how to record, edit and publish a podcast. Registration is not required.
“Boardwalk Empire” author Nelson Johnson will speak from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Participants will meet with the author, whose book was the basis for a television series of the same name. Registration is not required.
Beginner Short Story Writing with Michael will be held in the library’s adult department by the Graphic Novel section from noon to 1 p.m. The workshop will discuss two essential ingredients that make up the short story, character and conflict. A few short examples of the form will be read and a craft discussion will follow. Registration is not required.
“It’s new, it’s fresh,” observed Caitlin Hawe-Ndrio, head of adult services at the library. “So we still get the same feel as last year with all of our local authors and illustrators, but now we have these four breakout sessions. We think there’s an interest for everyone, so I think it will be a lot of activity and a lot of fun and something for every age group.”
The Strollin’ Gazette, an iteration of the library’s community magazine the Golden Gazette, will also be featured at the event. The Gazette is edited and published by the library’s Teen Advisory Board (TAB) and features poetry, short stories and artwork from residents of all ages. For the current issue, visit www.moorestownlibrary.org/teens/#Golden-Gazette.
“It definitely draws out new patrons (and) new visitors, which is another great thing about it,” Hawe-Ndrio said of the author fest. “It’s always nice to have these large-scale programs where we can invite the opportunity for new people to come (and) check out the library. And even outside of Moorestown, people come, which is really fantastic, so we can have a whole new patron experience for them.”
