Liz Marquard, of Hambden Township, inherited a treasure trove of old documents from her maternal ancestors.
Liz Marquard, of Hambden Township, inherited a treasure trove of old documents from her maternal ancestors.
There were letters, diaries, farm journals, manuscripts, as well as many photographs.
“The Seibel story ran like a thread through these various resources, and it simply needed to be pulled out and woven into one complete fabric,” Marquard said. “My mother had always told me that I was the one who could bring the Seibel story to life, so I made her a promise that I would do it.”
Marquard kept her promise and is one of many authors scheduled to appear Oct. 13 at Geauga County Public Library’s fourth annual Local Author Fair at the Chardon branch, 110 E. Park St.
The event is merging with Indie Author Day — which celebrates aspiring writers, published authors, library professionals, publishers and literary marketers coming together to create community around local, independent authors all across North America.
To kick things off and celebrate Indie Author Day, author J. Thorn, an Amazon-ranked Top 100 Most Popular Author in Horror, Science Fiction, Action & Adventure and Fantasy, will give a one-hour presentation from noon to 1 p.m. called “The Authorpreneur: Understand Amazon.com,” sharing information on how to get your book seen, bought and reviewed.
After the seminar, community members will have the chance to meet over 20 local authors who will be on hand to sell and sign books until 3 p.m. inside Chardon Public Library at 110 E. Park Street.
“In2014, we started a Local Author Fair at our Chardon branch, which gave local authors the opportunity to meet with the community, sell their books and celebrate the written word,” said Patrick Culliton, library marketing specialist. “This was so successful that we decided to do it annually. Since that time, we have subscribed a self-publishing platform from a company called Biblioboard, which allows community members to create, share and discover content all within theirlocal library.”
Culliton said it is much more than self-published books.
“We can publish and promote local artists, musicians, photographers and more,” Culliton added. “You can discover what we’ve published by visiting Creator Space on our website.”
Biblioboard sponsors the annual, nationwide Indie Author Day, where libraries and organizations around the world welcome local indie authors, writers and their communities in for a day of education, networking, mingling and panels.
“Geauga County is blessed with many assets, including its natural beauty, its diverse population that includes the Amish community, and its emphasis on learning, which is evidenced by its well-utilized library system,” Marquard said.
Sara Dobie Bauer is a bestselling author, model, and mental health and LGBTQ advocate with a creative writing degree from Ohio University.
“Twice nominated for the Pushcart Prize, I live with my hottie husband and two precious pups in Chardon, although I’d really like to live in a Tim Burton film,” Bauer said, author of the “Bite Somebody” series and “Escape Trilogy.” Her most recent release, “Escaping Exile” from NineStar Press, is an LGBTQ Victorian vampire romance and first of the “Escape Trilogy.”
“I’m thrilled there are so many talented creatives in this area,” Bauer said. “What a blessing. I’m honored and excited to be surrounded by my peers where we’ll be free to geek out over books with other writers and readers alike.”
Culliton said there is an exciting roster of authors this year, writing from a number of genres.
“From children’s stories to sci-fi/fantasy to local history to poetry to non-fiction, readers should plan to find a wide variety of new titles to add to their collections,” Culliton said. “Plus, they can get the copies signed and meet the people behind the pen.”
Authors include Deanna Adams, Keith Manos, Mitch James, L.C. Rung, Gloria Adams, Steve Arnold and Michael Eging, Wake Baskey, Sara Dobie Bauer, Kelly C. Brown, Michael Ceraolo, Mia Coulton, Marj W. Ivancic, Lana Koehler, Darlene Kuncytes, Mitch James, Dave Lange, Andi Lawrencovna, Liz Marquard, Greg Morgan, Tam Polzer, Catherine Pomeroy, Diane Ryder, Elaine & Carl Seliskar, Naomi Stutzman, Ann Szasz, J Thorn, and Kristen Tiber.
“Sadly, my mother did not live to see these books published,” Marquard said.
“Every family has stories and they need to be preserved. I hope my books will inspire others to capture their own family’s history. One needn’t write a novel, as I have done, but can simply document memories, experiences and the stories passed down from previous generations.”
She added, “It will provide a valuable keepsake for future family members. Don’t wait to ask the questions until there’s no one left who has the answers — talk to older family members now and ask them about their memories, identify the people in old family photographs, and, most importantly, share your information with younger members of the family so they will know their heritage.”
The event is free and open to the public.There will be authors on all floors of the Chardon library. There will be coffee and sweets from Buckeye Chocolate Café.
For any inquires on Indie Author Day, self-publishing or anything else writing-related, email club.Ink@geaugalibrary.net.
