First Local Author Showcase at Dublin Library

The first local author showcase was held at Dublin library over the weekend. The event aimed to highlight local writing talent while supporting and celebrating authors in the community. There were 15 local authors participating and their works included multiple genres ranging from fantasy, romance and murder mysteries to history. The event which was free to the public was jointly sponsored by the Tri-Valley Writers, a branch of the California Writers Club, and the Dublin Library.

It was Maya Angelou who said "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you". These local authors, many of whom have received awards, have managed to commit to the writing process and get their stories into print which is a remarkable accomplishment in itself.

Authors got to talk to visitors about their books, interests and writing journeys and every one had a unique tale to tell. Books could also be purchased directly from the authors and signed as well. The authors were grateful to the sponsors for organizing the event and for the opportunity to engage directly with readers.

Teenage author Maya Poghosyan had her book "The Flying Island" on display and was supported by her family. Poghosyan's Mom reminisced about the days when she was a student and how quickly time has passed so that now she is the parent of a young author. Maya's book deals with family ties and the relationship between friends as they embark on a magical adventure. The friends have to confront powerful and ancient mythical creatures who guard many secrets on the road to unravelling an ancient prophecy.

Seated next to Maya was author Orphelia Sexton aka Marissa Brandt who uses different pen names depending on the genre she is writing about. The cover art for both her "Bearpaw Ridge Firefighters" romance novels and her "Almost A Dragon" fantasy series was both eye-catching and intriguing. Her creative talents also include photography and she is especially passionate about bird photography.

Sheryl J. Bize-Boutte's writing was fueled by the events of her upbringing and her experiences growing up in the Bay Area. Her book, A Dollar Five: Stories From A Baby Boomer's Ongoing Journey, is a personal take on events during the Civil Rights era and has been described as "full of sensory details" and "precious." A Dollar Five is a collection of short stories and poems that cover the author's childhood memories in Oakland, California starting in 1956. Bize-Boutte is very energetic and charismatic and believes in putting herself in uncomfortable and unfamiliar settings in order to experience life to the full.

A present day love story, Never Too Late: From Wannabe to Wife at 62, was the next book on display written by B. Lynn Goodwin who was accompanied by her jovial and supportive husband. With their matching t-shirts and broad smiles the love in the air was quite tangible. She decided to share their love story to show what she gave up by getting married in later life but also to reflect on what she gained. Her book received the 2018 National Indie Excellence Award in late May and the display including a sweet note that read "I don't even have the stickers yet, but my husband wanted you to know, and it's his book too. After all if we hadn't gotten married, there wouldn't be a story and truly the last six (almost seven) years have been unique." Goodwin also has a writing consultancy, 'Writer Advice's Manuscript Consultation Service' to give developing writers assistance and guidance on their writing journeys.

A landmark publication for Dublin was the book written by historian Steve Minniear "Dublin, California: A Brief History". With the rapid expansion of the City of Dublin it is valuable to have a view of its history. In a unique approach the book is structured in themes rather than in chronological order. Steve Minniear was recognized for his contribution to preserving the history of Dublin when he was awarded Citizen of the Year 2017 at the City of Dublin's Volunteer Recognition Event. He is currently the president of the Dublin Historical Preservation Association and served eight years on the City of Dublin Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission.

Dragons and deep sea creatures lay side-by side on the displays by Jordan Bernal and Eloise Hamann. Mythical creatures and creatures of the deep are equally fascinating with some of the latter appearing just as fantastical as the former.

For Bernal her journey is personal as it connects her with both her Irish and Scottish ancestry. She uses real world locations in her books and has woven the world dragons into her tales. Bernal is author of the murder mystery "The Keepers of Eire" which she says is not a children's book and therefore wrote a second version for young adults removing the more adult content. Her latest work, "Reluctant Paladin" addresses the issue of bullying and provides insights from both the protagonist and antagonist perspective. In 2017 Bernal received the California Writers Club Jack London Award in appreciation and gratitude for her many years of exemplary service to Tri-Valley Writers (TVW).

With the subject of oceans being topical following World Oceans Day and the realisation that future generations are inheriting a planet in crisis it is noteworthy that we know as little about the lowest depths of the ocean as we know about the far reaches of space.

It's in the unexplored world of the deep that Eloise Hamann positions her story "Lower World" and connects those who dwell there with the fascinating sea creatures that we still don't know much about. The author is a retired professor of mathematics from San Jose State University. Says Hamann "One fun thing about life in the dark sea is that much of it has the ability to bio luminesce so they provide their own light when necessary."

From the depths of the sea the focus shifted to a very earthy subject - potatoes. Shannon Brown wrote and illustrated the picture book called "Pete's Potato Problem". With a background in graphic design Shannon's delightful paintings bring Pete's story to life and she has also used her creative talents to do t-shirt designs. Brown is known as the author of Rock’N’Roll in Locker Seventeen, a novel for young adults about a teen that discovers what happened to a missing rock star. Her latest work is "Beyond the Music" and has been described as a "fresh and funny new adult romance". The novel won an honorable mention in the Writer's Advice Scintillating Starts Contest.

Caring for ailing parents and the lessons that ensue was the theme of the book "Don't Leave Yet" by Constance Hanstedt and describes how her mother's alzheimers opened her heart. A delicate touch to her display were potted peach and apricot miniature roses which matched well with the book's theme of compassion.

Judy Lussie from Dublin is the author of "Second Time Around" which is the sequel to "Lake Biwa Wishes" and unravels second chances at love in the context of blended families and career challenges.

Murder in Venice was the theme of the book "Venetian Blood - Murder in a Sensuous City" by Christine Evelyn Volker. The dramatic and alluring cover art immediately draws attention to the book which deals with 'a mysterious tapestry of murder, betrayal, and family.'

Yvonne Carder's writing focuses on young adult fantasy fiction and her books "Luminata" and "Star Flame" were on her very colorful and creative display. Luminata is the first book in the new Meclauks Kingdom series.

Other local authors at the event included John Bluck, Mary Anderson Parks and Moyra Rasheed.

Whether part of a book or part of a life we all have stories to tell. Storytelling is an art, transporting the reader to a time and place existing in the authors mind. Given that we all have different paths and interests, not every story resonates with each of us but finding one that expands your thinking, your world view or lets your imagination soar is priceless.

The diversity of genres and authors represented at the showcase served not only to bring exposure to local talent but also to inspire others and nurture the pursuit of the art of writing.