Hershey Authors Day at the Library

Teresa and I spent Saturday at the Hershey Library for its Local Authors Day. More than 30 authors came out to meet the true readers and talk about their books. There was a raffle to give away gift cards, and time set aside for the authors to talk about anything they wanted, whether it be writing, marketing, developing characters, Star Wars fan fiction or (in my case) Agatha Christie.

What always surprised me about these shows the most is to see the range of talent and subject matter. I didn’t get a chance to talk to everyone, but I loved meeting a “Walking Dead” fan, a former mixed-martial artist, and a man with a fondness for old bones.

Here’s who I met:

Sara Walter Ellwood writes contemporary Western romances, but we spent the time talking about her new project: a New Adult space opera series. This led to a discussion about world building and the fun of inventing races with unique powers and figuring out how they affect each other in a futuristic environment.

Mark A. Weaver’s table stopped me cold when I saw the display of prehistoric fossils. I’ve had a long attraction to ancient bones. I loved the old National Geographics that showed artwork of our ancient ancestors walking across salt flats with a volcano going up in the background.

Weaver has a similar interest, and used his knowledge to write “Lucy Lives,” a book that promises to do for Australopithecus afarensis what “Clan of the Cave Bear” did for Cro-Magnons and Neanderthals. Well, that’s overstating it a tad. Let’s call it closer to “Quest for Fire.” I enjoyed seeing a story with an eye towards revealing what we know about those times.

Chas Williamson’s table was one of the prettiest I’ve ever seen. Chas is one of the few men writing in the romance field (that’s his wife at the table). He has two books out, “Seeking Forever” and “Seeking Happiness,” with more volumes to come.

Don Helin appeared with his military thrillers featuring Col. Zack Kelly (note, I’ve known Don for a few years through the Pennwriters’ writers group at New Cumberland Public Library).

Charlie Brenneman has one of the more unusual journeys among the authors. The former Spanish teacher left the profession to become a UFC fighter. He racked up a 19-8 pro record before hanging up the gloves to become a motivational speaker and mentor. He also wrote a memoir, “Driven,” to chronicle his journey from the classroom to the octagon and beyond.

Susan Lehman had only one book at the show, but when it is about one of the most popular TV shows today, do you really need more? She converted her love for “The Walking Dead” into a book about the life lessons it teaches: “Faith, Fighting, and Forgiving: Lessons from The Walking Dead.”

Those were the highlights. We’re looking forward to see readers next at the Hershey Artfest and Flower Show on May 12, 2018. See you there!