17 inspirational authors to sign books

November 25, 2009|By TIFFANY ARNOLD

HALFWAY - The idea for hosting a book event came from an unlikely muse: Leah Morgan's experience shopping for literary agents.

Morgan, 43, of Sharpsburg, was trying to get her first novel published, a process that put her in touch with a couple of writers in the area. She discovered there were many local writers that fly under the radar. So why not organize an event to showcase the local talent?

Hagerstown Hometown Holiday book signing is set for Saturday, Nov. 28, at Morgan's home church, Virginia Avenue Church of God in Halfway. Seventeen authors will sign copies of their books, Morgan said.

She credited authors Christian suspense novelist Wanda Dyson and historical fiction writer Rita Gerlach - who is Nora Roberts' cousin - with fleshing out the roster for Saturday's book signing by spreading the word to their friends in the publishing world.

Other authors at the book signing include Christy Award-winners Lisa Samson and Cathy Gohlke.

Morgan said the aim of the book signing isn't to make money - though the church's proximity to Valley Mall and the event's schedule - on the day after Black Friday - are certainly advantages.

Instead, she offers up the more general goal of encouraging literacy as her motivation.

As a young person growing up in Hancock without a television, Morgan said she was the girl whose appetite for books was so voracious, she read all that was available in the kids section of her local library.

Then she moved to other sections until she had consumed most of what the libraries had to offer.

"I just really want to promote literacy," Morgan said. "That's important to me. Ignorance is not bliss. Knowledge is power. The more you read and learn through whatever means, then the less ignorance has power over you."

If you go ...

WHAT: Hagerstown Hometown Holiday, a book signing by inspirational authors

WHEN: 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28

WHERE: Virginia Avenue Church of God, 17306 Virginia Avenue, Halfway

COST: Free admission

CONTACT: For the list of authors and other information, go to www.hagerstownhometownholiday.com . For a blog on the event, http://cba-authorsevent.blogspot.comx .

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