Kay Hafner and I manned the fort at the 14th annual Chronicle Book Fair, aka Autumn Leaves (does anyone actually call it that?), this past Saturday at the Queensbury Hotel. New member Sandy Buxton and longtime member Zachary Richards took their turns, especially while Kay was moderating the Sisters in Crime panel.
The breakdown: We received interest from several local writers, two with great possibilities -- one a professional freelancer from Saratoa and the other a grad student seeking his MFA from SUNY Plattsburgh (and if he joins us that will give us two such qualified writers/editors. Not bad for a little group from Glens Falls!).
While all our members' books were on display, my book, For Our Sins, and Ruth Lamb's At the End of the Road: Reflections on Life in an Adirondack Valley, received the most interest from passersby, but great praise was heaped on Zack's Frostie the Deadman. I routinely received the question, "Is your book available at the library?" Aaaagggghhhh! But for the record, yes it is, at both Crandall and Saratoga.
Lee Merrett was set up across the way from us with ALL, seeking members and selling thier irregularly published collection, The Apple Tree. She also participated in the 5-minute readings held throughout the day.
I usually use the Book Fair to network, but did very little of that this year. It has become so overwhelmingly geocentric, that is, all Adirondack all the time, that it gives me little in common with most of the attendees. My next book will be Jesus in the Adirondacks. I thought you were supposed to write what you know but read what you don't. I wonder if all book fairs are so locally focused?
Oh, well, to each his own. The Book Fair seemed to be a big success, and the GFWG will be there next year. Hopefully you will too!
--Briggs
1 comment:
John,
I think in the past it was called "Falling Leaves" but you're right, they referred to it as Autumn Leaves in the program this year. Chronicle Book Fair is what most people call it, including, most of the time, the Chronicle itself.
Anyway, re: Geocentric. It's odd that many people assume it's only for locally set stories. Should be a showcase for regional authors, whether or not their books are set here. A variety of book types and locations are sprinkled through the official listing. Wonder if sales/follow up interest are strongest in the Adirondack stuff.
Good write up. Thanks.
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