Local authors set for Lockhart event

By Kyle Mooty

LPR Editor

Book writers will be out in force later this month when Wendy R Bookery & Gifts host a Meet and Greet and Book Signing for Lockhart’s Local Authors.

The event will take place at the bookstore at 1095 N. Main Street on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 1-3 p.m.

There will be a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction books from local authors appearing at the event, including Tam Francis, W.W. McNeal, Megan Creel, Wayne Wathers, Todd Blomerth, Rebecca Ballard, Kevin E. Mooney, and Jessica Rutland. There will be books by other local authors, including Phil McBride and Gretchen Rix.

“This gives us a whole row to display our books and sell them for us,” Francis said. “It’s amazing. It really is gonna be like a mini festival.”

Wendy Ramsey said her store’s Meet and Greet and Book Signings will be very personal with authors – weather permitting – set up inside and outside of the bookery.

“I sell them for them and don’t take anything,” Ramsey said. “I just want them to have a place where there’s a lot of business that comes through and people have an opportunity to buy their books. And they’re good books. They’re meaty, good, diverse books. It’s my pleasure to have them here.

“We think it’s gonna be fun, kind of like a book festival. Business will go on as usual in the shop. The more the merrier. Everybody wanted to participate.”

There is no charge for the event, but Ramsey said there will be various ways to pay for books yet suggests cash or checks since some authors don’t take credit cards.

“Wendy has been just amazing in support of the local writers with book signings here,” said Francis. “It’s exciting how it’s grown. A few of these authors wouldn’t get the exposure if it wasn’t for Wendy.”

Francis is also part of the Lockhart Writers Group.

“We started this group nine years ago,” Francis said. “We’ve gone through a lot of different writers. Some have done one book and they’re one and done and they leave. We’ve had writers join us and take a leave of absence and then come back.”

Currently meeting at Lockhart Arts & Craft on Thursdays from 4:30-5:30 p.m., visitors to the Lockhart Writers Group are welcome. Sometimes, the group meets at each other’s porches. Three people are chosen to submit up to 3,000 words each Sunday and the group deso a written critique them for that week. Each member has three minutes to talk about their critique for the person.

“We’re really kind,” Francis said. “We learn from each other’s mistakes. We try to find not only the critical parts but also the good things in the piece. We try to avoid personal opinions.”

Among others, Francis has authored Ghostoria, The Girl in the Jitterbug Dress, and The Flapper

Lockhart’s Toni Chessire will also be at the event. She did the artwork and illustration for one of Wathers’ books.