RUTLAND — The Halloween Fun event at the Rutland Free Public Library, 280 Main St., will have a costume parade and activities, but the visitors will have plenty of chances to leave with a book or two on Oct. 28.
The bonus will be 30 authors who will connect the patrons with the books as well as those who write them.
“I coordinated a similar event about four years ago with two dozen local authors,” author Jean Grant of Rutland said of the Author Fair, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. along with the book and bake sale. Children’s activities and a costume parade start at noon.
Readers who attended the previous author fair had earlier this year had asked Rutland Public Library Director Kerry Remington when the library would host another, Grant said.
“So I said, ‘sure.’ I like attending multi-author events, as there is a shared sense of community among the authors, and each time I make new connections. In the same way, I like to support other authors as well,” Grant said.
“Through the years I’ve met authors at book signings, conferences, craft fairs, on social media, and in writer groups, so I was able to quickly to pull up a list of authors across genres to invite. In fact, I had such a positive response to my queries that I added a few more authors at the last minute,” Grant said, pulling together a wide variety of authors.
“The Rutland Public Library is known for its inclusiveness and willingness to host activities and events,” she added. “The library hosts a multitude of events all year long, including the annual Festival of Trees (Rutland Historical Society), guest speakers, art exhibits, regular meetings and children’s entertainers, to name a few. There is no event too big or too small for the library. They make it work.”
Remington “absolutely prides herself on being an open resource to any and all, so it was her push that got me going on this event,” Grant said, noting she is also on the Library Board of Trustees.
“Fall is peak season for New Englanders, with vibrant colors, cooler days, children back in school, sports and games, and cozy nights in. It’s also a popular time for gatherings, craft/holiday fairs, and seasonal celebrations,” Grant said.
“There are a handful of children’s authors and autumn-themed books available. Authors are invited to dress in a Halloween costume,” Grant said, noting she will be in her Scottish Highland lass costume, and the children will dress for the parade event.
“We’ll also be giving out candy to readers as they ‘trick-or-treat’ throughout the event, and there will be giveaways with a scavenger-hunt style card to encourage readers to visit the authors’ tables,” she said. “At the same time, I hope the authors can take the time to visit the bake/book sale and children’s events, too. We decided to host this day so people of all ages can find something to enjoy at the library.”
The fair benefits the authors as well as patrons.
“So much happens at the library, and events like this are mutually beneficial for the library and the authors. The library works magic with a smaller budget, offering a place for any and all to come and use the space, from preschoolers to octogenarians. Any event that opens the doors to the public is a good event for the library and our town. Likewise, it helps authors who are local to get their name out there, to connect with readers and the community,” Grant said.
The event brings the readers face-to-face with the authors and allows them to interact.
“I love talking to aspiring writing youth who pick my brain about writing and publishing. It is my hope that I can foster their creative muse and encourage them on this artistic path.
“As a mother, I love to buy books for my children, and I’ve seen the same in readers. Grandparents or friends shop for younger readers, and the kids love coming as well, from preschooler to teen,” she said.
The authors make connections that help them as well.
“Authors connect with not only new readers at events like this but also other authors. I’ve formed strong relationships with local authors by doing these sorts of events, and now some of us team up for other activities, and we share information with each other. The writing community is small and intimate, but also reaches far. In the past decade, I’ve met some of my closest companions through the writing world.”
Local authors may also include references that make a book especially relevant to people who live in the area.
“Readers love books they can relate to, so local references have curb appeal. Several authors in attendance have either locally inspired fiction stories or nonfiction works. My contemporary books are all set in New England as well. I have a current work in progress that takes place in a town very similar to Rutland and centers around a library, no less,” Grant said.
