Community members will have the chance to hear from local authors at Friends of the Gilmer County Library’s annual meeting later this month.
With showcasing talent across the area in mind, the group is looking forward to inviting the public to their local author forum and market that features literature from multiple genres, seven authors in total.
One of those authors is a board member herself, Mary Encinias. She wrote the memoir “Living Without Bubble Wrap,” that explores the idea that anyone can have a life full of interest and that people matter.
The book covers her 70 years of life filled with adventure, despite having the rare disease, Osteogenesis Imperfecta, that’s caused her to have 65 bone fractures.
“I have brittle bone disease, but it’s not really about the disease,” Encinias explained. “It’s really about my adventures … I’ve lived in Mexico, Venezuela, I picked apples in the state of Washington. There are plenty of things to read that aren’t sad about broken bones.”
Kathi Harper Hill is another author being featured at the forum. She’s lived in the north Georgia mountains all her life, has been writing since the age of 10 and has won numerous awards for her work. As the author of nine books, Hill covers local stories told with southern humor that focus mainly on relationships.
Larry Turner is a retired naval aviator turned author that’s published six nonfiction and two fiction books so far. His memoirs vary from telling stories of his time in the Naval Academy during the 70s, to his youngest daughter’s struggle with opioid addiction.
Retired south Florida police officer Jeff Shaw first stepped into literature with a memoir and then crafted an award-winning crime fiction trilogy. His latest novel, “Echo Six,” enters the science fiction genre with a story on time travel.
Author Jo Loveday wrote “Terminal Lucidity,” which is described as a chilling medical thriller with a touch of romance that Encinias said can’t be put down. The book was a finalist for a best thrillers award.
Nan Flickinger has previously been the president of the Friends of the Gilmer County Library board and is the author of a children’s book. “Ellie J’s Apples” is all about a 6-year-old who’s living and learning on an orchard in the Apple Capital of Georgia.
After discovering her father’s letters from World War II, author Kathy Williams wrote “Dear Dad,” where she responds to them in the present day. She reportedly has another book coming out soon, where Encinias said she would divulge more about it at the forum.
At the forum, the authors will speak to the crowd about their work and writing process, followed by them signing books at each of their tables for purchase and answering any burning questions from attendees.
There will be refreshments served and door prizes. It’s happening on Thursday, April 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. The forum will be held in the Gilmer County Library community room located in the basement of the library at 268 Calvin Jackson Dr. in Ellijay.
Friends of the Gilmer County Library has 95 members that work alongside the library’s staff to host activities and fundraise. That includes their “Bookshelf” store that sells used books, DVDs, jigsaw puzzles and more, usually for a dollar apiece. Encinias said it raises around $250 a month for the library.
“We bring together individuals interested in the Gilmer County Library, promote informed community interest in library functions, resources, services and needs and raise supplementary funds for the library,” Encinias noted about the board’s work.
The board is hosting a membership campaign in October for those interested in joining the group. People can also learn more about upcoming events on the Friends of the Gilmer County Library Facebook page.