Brogan: Laura Knoy Hosts Local Authors

Last April, as we were all attempting to return to some kind of normal existence, an extraordinary evening at the beautiful Bank of NH Stage in Concord, helped accomplish that return to normalcy.

"A Conversation with Concord-area Authors" attracted hundreds to the downtown Concord venue. Broadcast legend, Laura Knoy, interviewed four authors from the area about what they write, why they do it and how they derive inspiration. She skillfully fielded questions from an audience eager to learn more. It was ninety minutes of insight, information, inspiration and humor that nobody present wanted to have end.

In the weeks that followed, Margaret Porter, who co-produced the event with me as well as Laura and myself, received scores of inquiries as to whether it might happen again. We were in full agreement that it had to.

Our original goal was to help shine a light on the amazing talent who live and write locally in every possible genre of writing. Too often visitors to a bookstore walk past the shelf marked, "Local Authors" thereby missing out on some choice and often mesmerizing reads. By making the event a free one, we hoped to change that opportunity missed and possibly inspire audience members who considered writing, to make the leap.

Both Margaret Porter and I have had new books release in the past year and are busily working on others. Laura Knoy, who made history for many years as host of "The Exchange" on Public Radio, now hosts a podcast entitled, "ReadLocalNH" and travels around New Hampshire visiting independent bookstores and talking with local authors.

It was inevitable that the three of us would make our brainchild an annual event and indeed, "More Conversations with Concord-area Authors" will take place on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. The location, once again, is the Bank of NH Stage on South Main Street. The time is 7:30 PM and admission is FREE! However, tickets are required and can be obtained at the box-office located at 16 South Main Street. The box-office is open daily from 12 - 6. You can also go on-line to ccanh.com and click on Bank of NH events. There is no cost for tickets and there are no handling fees involved. We have done everything possible to make this event available to everyone.

This week on my Concord TV program, "Capital Area Chats", we "chatted" about the event and you can enjoy it by clicking on this link: (87) Capital Area Chats- Conversations With Concord Authors - YouTube

In addition to catching up with me and Margaret, Laura will be chatting with three authors new to the event: Kathleen Bailey, Sarah McCraw Crow and Dan Lawton. Other local authors in attendance will be recognized and thanks to Michael Herrmann and Gibson's Bookstore, books by the various authors will be for sale in the lobby and can be signed by the author.

Steve Duprey and The Duprey Companies, Gibson's, Concord TV, Concord Public Library and NH Writer's Project have helped to sponsor the evening and we are sincerely grateful for their belief in us.

Come celebrate another reason that Concord is a great place to live, work, play and READ!!!