The Cameron Village Library in Raleigh, NC held its fourth annual
Authors in Your Backyard: A Celebration of Local Writers event on Sunday
afternoon. I attended with my daughter Cyndi and my friend, Pam. This is an
event I look forward to every year.
We started with a keynote speaker, Michael Malone. Malone is
a writer extraordinaire, having won the Edgar award and O. Henry Award. His
books include The Four Corners of the Sky,
Handling Sin, First Lady, Red Clay-Blue Cadillac, and many others. He’s
probably best known for being the head writer on the soap opera One Life to Live for a number of years
for which he won an Emmy. His manner was humble and droll while his remarks were
informative and helpful for writers. 
After Malone spoke, six local authors had a few minutes each
to read from their current book. We in the audience were treated to excerpts
from fiction, historical fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and a stand-up comic's hilarious
take on the not-so-hilarious subject of infertility.
When all had read, we were invited downstairs for
refreshments and to display and, hopefully, sell our own books. As usual, I
didn’t sell any books, but, as usual, I bought someone else’s book.
If you live in this area, I would recommend you come by next
year for a good time and a good way to get your creative juices flowing. If you
don’t live in this area, I would suggest you find out if your library does
something similar, or if not, ask them to. It’s a great way to learn, sell, and
above all, network.
Now I must get busy on my latest book in progress and pray
for inspiration! In my last book, Saving Lou, I was a male sailor in WWII although I've never been a man nor in the Navy. I did, however, live through WWII, as a toddler. Now my protagonist is a Jewish fireman in Buffalo, NY! Oy vey! I've never been Jewish, a fireman, nor have I been to Buffalo. So much for "Write what you know!"
Quote of the Day: “We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.” Ernest Hemingway
