Books, books, books! If you had to write a book, what would the subject be?
Many years ago, groups of local school librarians would take the annual trek to Hattiesburg, Mississippi to attend the Children’s Book Festival. These trips were always lots of fun and educational but also afforded us many hours of “talking shop” and trying to solve what we perceived as library problems.
After solving any and all issues, we would attend wonderful sessions presented by authors of those same books that we offered at our libraries. We were in awe of most of them but my all-time favorite was Eric Carle. Who couldn’t love Eric Carle? This gentle, soft-spoken man had the audience in the palm of his hands from the moment he stepped on stage. Later, as an elementary school librarian, I would use some of the techniques shown at that presentation as lessons for my young students.
Fast-forward to March, 2016, and I am attending the Public Librarians Association convention in Denver, Colorado. A group of colleagues and I are at the opening session and Anderson Cooper, of Channel One fame, is the guest speaker. Everyone knows Anderson Cooper and the fact that he is the son of Gloria Vanderbilt. In fact, one of the main reasons for his being at the convention was to discuss the book that he and his mother wrote, The Rainbow Comes and Goes.
Traveling far to meet authors is not necessary because our local libraries present programs where you can meet them. Most of these authors are locals from the community or nearby. The Thibodaux, Lockport and South Lafourche branches have successfully hosted many of these programs and it is always a humbling experience to be in their presence.
Authors like meeting and talking to their fans. They also like talking to those who have not yet read their works. During these programs the authors may choose to discuss their books, how the idea of the book came about, the writing process, and how their life has influenced their writing. Authors are usually a curious group and may ask questions of the audience. They want your opinion to help develop characters, settings and plots. They want to know what readers think about and how a new idea could be incorporated into an upcoming work. These programs are lessons in familiarity – both for the fan and the author.
The Lafourche Parish Library System has successfully hosted many author programs this year. Several of the Thibodaux authors were David Plater with his novel of The Butlers of Iberville Parish, Louisiana: Dunboyne Plantation in the 1800’s, Miki Pfeffer and her book entitled Southern Ladies & Suffragists, and Damon Stentz with The Kraken Slayer. More authors from surrounding areas who presented their books were Neal Bertrand with Dad’s War Photos, Anna Bradford with her Down the Bayou series: Down the Bayou, Big Brothers, Little Brothers, and No Place Like Home, Carrie Delatte with Coming Up Cajun and Wendy Woods with her Indigeaux books presented their stories to large groups of Story Time listeners, Madison Granger with Phoenix Rising, and Wendy Wilson Billiot with her environmentally themed books Before the Saltwater Came and Regret the Egret. At their May LIBLUV Book Club, Thibodaux Branch patrons tried a new approach to having an author present. Moira Crone, author of The Ice Garden, was able to skype with club members and answer questions they had about her novel.
The Lafourche Parish Public libraries will continue to host author Meet and Greets. These programs vary at locations and times so check the library calendars or ask at your favorite branch for their next author event. Come out and meet these special people who write the books that we love to read. Without them, where would we be?