Local Authors Book Fair
We are having a Book Fair! This event is free for the public to attend.
Saturday, October 8th from 10 AM to 3 PM
Authors from all over the region will be showcasing their literary works at the Heritage Museum Park. Each author will have table along the newly installed brick pathway. Walk through the Heritage Park and pick up the latest books from your favorite authors.
Be sure to check out the list of Guest Speakers!
Questions about the event can be directed to ehm1129@comcast.net
Saturday, October 8th from 10 AM to 3 PM
Authors from all over the region will be showcasing their literary works at the Heritage Museum Park. Each author will have table along the newly installed brick pathway. Walk through the Heritage Park and pick up the latest books from your favorite authors.
Be sure to check out the list of Guest Speakers!
- 11:00 AM Dan Klefstad; Author & NPR/WNIJ Morning Radio Show Host (www.danklefstad.com)
- 12:00 PM Christine Swanberg; Rockford's Poet Laureate (www.christineswanbergpoet.com)
- 1:30 PM Kimberla Lawson Roby; New York Times' Best Selling Author (www.kimroby.com)
Questions about the event can be directed to ehm1129@comcast.net
Special Guest Speakers:
Local Authors
MIKE DOYLE – Mike is a former professional journalist and retired journalism teacher who has written or edited seven books on local history. He was the author of two books on the Belvidere Tornado of April 21, 1967, and, with Frank Perrecone, he edited two volumes of “Immigrant Histories of Rockford Italian Families.” He also was the co-editor, with Jay DiBenedetto, of “We Are 100 Years and Growing: A Centennial Celebration of St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1909-2009.
MARY KAY MORRISON – As a former kindergarten teacher, with a passion for understanding the neuroscience of learning, Mary Kay has been writing and speaking for over 20 years about the critical importance of play for optimal growth and development. As a grandmother of 12 grandchildren, Mary Kay has found countless ways to interact and play with them over the past 20 years. Their written contributions and those of their parents are an integral part of her book – Legacy of Laughter, A Grandparents Guide and Playbook.
KARIN BLASKI – Karin writes Young Adult and Middle Grade Fiction. Her alter ego is an associate professor at Rock Valley College where she routinely incorporates story telling into her classroom. A wanderer at heart, she has lived in nine states and traveled all over the world currently residing in Rockford, Il. She shares a shrinking house with two daughters, two cat, and a mutt named SIS.
TAMARA GAUMOND – Tamara Gaumond is a writer and architect. Together with her daughter, son, and dog Timber, Tamara had called Rockford home for more than 25 years. As an architect, she has a great appreciation for the eclectic culture and urbanism of small cities. She and her friends love Rockford’s energy and authenticity and are enthusiastic participants in the city’s multitude of exciting and interesting events.
TRICIA D. WAGNER – Tricia is an award-winning novelist, poet, and short story writer. She grew up in Amarillo, Texas, chasing storms, riding stallions, sojourning through painted canyons, disappearing into floating mesas under starry skies. She now lives in Rockford. Tricia works in higher education and lives day to day wonderstruck but luckily can feel her way about this terrifying, beautiful earth through writing. Tricia has pieces published in Write City Magazine, Chicago Newa, Word of Art 3D, Literary Yard, and Midwest Review.
CHRISTINE SWANBERG – First inaugurated City of Rockford Poet Laureate, Christine has published several collections of Poetry. Hundreds of her poems appear in national journals. She has won a number of awards for her poetry.
LOLITA DITZLER – Lolita has been a freelance writer for newspapers and magazines since 1969. Her memoir about her seven-year courtship during the 1950’s is her first book.
KARLA CLARK – Karla writes fiction for adults and children, but picture books are her passion. She lives in Rockford with her husband and son.
CAT STARK – Cat was raised in California and now lives in Illinois with her fiancé. She has finished numerous novels and can’t wait to finish more. Find her at catstark.com
CURTIS MILLER - Curtis is a young novice author who loves writing in his spart time. Hell Ride was written while away at Basic Combat Training for the ARMY National Guard.
EDWARD FINCH – After teaching for 30 years, Edward served as Executive Director of the Stephenson County Historical Society. His first book was Beneath the Waves: The Life and Navy of Capt. Edward L. Beach, Jr., which was an out-growth of his doctoral dissertation and was published by the Naval Institute in 2010.
SANDRA COLBERT – Sandra was born and raised in Chicago but now calls Rockford home. Her collections of short stories are reflected in the life and times of Chicago. She also has a three book crime series. Sandra is on the board of the Chicago Writers Association and is a member of the Society of Midland Authors. Sandra is also a board member of the Ethnic Heritage Museum.
MARY KAY MORRISON – As a former kindergarten teacher, with a passion for understanding the neuroscience of learning, Mary Kay has been writing and speaking for over 20 years about the critical importance of play for optimal growth and development. As a grandmother of 12 grandchildren, Mary Kay has found countless ways to interact and play with them over the past 20 years. Their written contributions and those of their parents are an integral part of her book – Legacy of Laughter, A Grandparents Guide and Playbook.
KARIN BLASKI – Karin writes Young Adult and Middle Grade Fiction. Her alter ego is an associate professor at Rock Valley College where she routinely incorporates story telling into her classroom. A wanderer at heart, she has lived in nine states and traveled all over the world currently residing in Rockford, Il. She shares a shrinking house with two daughters, two cat, and a mutt named SIS.
TAMARA GAUMOND – Tamara Gaumond is a writer and architect. Together with her daughter, son, and dog Timber, Tamara had called Rockford home for more than 25 years. As an architect, she has a great appreciation for the eclectic culture and urbanism of small cities. She and her friends love Rockford’s energy and authenticity and are enthusiastic participants in the city’s multitude of exciting and interesting events.
TRICIA D. WAGNER – Tricia is an award-winning novelist, poet, and short story writer. She grew up in Amarillo, Texas, chasing storms, riding stallions, sojourning through painted canyons, disappearing into floating mesas under starry skies. She now lives in Rockford. Tricia works in higher education and lives day to day wonderstruck but luckily can feel her way about this terrifying, beautiful earth through writing. Tricia has pieces published in Write City Magazine, Chicago Newa, Word of Art 3D, Literary Yard, and Midwest Review.
CHRISTINE SWANBERG – First inaugurated City of Rockford Poet Laureate, Christine has published several collections of Poetry. Hundreds of her poems appear in national journals. She has won a number of awards for her poetry.
LOLITA DITZLER – Lolita has been a freelance writer for newspapers and magazines since 1969. Her memoir about her seven-year courtship during the 1950’s is her first book.
KARLA CLARK – Karla writes fiction for adults and children, but picture books are her passion. She lives in Rockford with her husband and son.
CAT STARK – Cat was raised in California and now lives in Illinois with her fiancé. She has finished numerous novels and can’t wait to finish more. Find her at catstark.com
CURTIS MILLER - Curtis is a young novice author who loves writing in his spart time. Hell Ride was written while away at Basic Combat Training for the ARMY National Guard.
EDWARD FINCH – After teaching for 30 years, Edward served as Executive Director of the Stephenson County Historical Society. His first book was Beneath the Waves: The Life and Navy of Capt. Edward L. Beach, Jr., which was an out-growth of his doctoral dissertation and was published by the Naval Institute in 2010.
SANDRA COLBERT – Sandra was born and raised in Chicago but now calls Rockford home. Her collections of short stories are reflected in the life and times of Chicago. She also has a three book crime series. Sandra is on the board of the Chicago Writers Association and is a member of the Society of Midland Authors. Sandra is also a board member of the Ethnic Heritage Museum.