Celebrate Local Literature at the Indianapolis Public Library’s ‘Meet an Author, Be an Author’ Book Fair
The Indianapolis Public Library invites the community to celebrate local literature at Meet an Author, Be an Author, a book fair and day of workshops, activities, and connections on Saturday, October 19, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Central Library. This free, all-ages event welcomes readers, writers, and book enthusiasts to explore the local literary scene.
“The Author Fair is a wonderful opportunity for readers to connect and refresh their personal libraries! It’s not every day that you walk into a library and meet 45 authors face-to-face, and we hope their presence will inspire literature lovers,” said Jill Edwards, adult program specialist at The Indianapolis Public Library. “This event also provides writers the chance to network and share their experiences. With books available for all ages across a wide range of genres—from thrilling mysteries to enchanting children’s stories—there’s truly something for everyone. We hope attendees leave with a few new titles on their ‘to be read’ list, and that some will be inspired to craft their own narratives.”
Opportunities for Writers
Aspiring and established writers will have the chance to connect with one another and participate in workshops led by local literary experts. Literature organizations will be on-site including the Indiana Writers Center, Speed City Sisters In Crime, Storytelling Arts of Indiana, Midwest Writers Workshop, Indiana State Library, and Venturous Guild of Visionary Storysmiths Collective. Authors can also chat with The Indianapolis Public Library’s collection Management team and learn more about how to get a book added to our collection. Writers are encouraged to take part in the following writing and publishing workshops:
John F. Allen will share how to navigate the world of self-publishing and become an independent author.
Speed City Chapter of Sisters in Crime will host a timely discussion on the impact of artificial intelligence on literature.
Dominique Weldon will explore visual art—paintings, sculptures, and photos—as inspiration for your own stories, poems, and essays. The word ekphrasis, or ecphrasis, comes from the Greek for the written description of a work of art produced as a rhetorical or literary exercise, often used in the adjectival form ekphrastic.
This Panel hosted by the Speed City Chapter of Sisters in Crime will allow attendees to hear from published short story writers about their inspirations, writing processes, and publication outlets.
Analyze opening scenes and practice revising one together. Bring your work-in-progress for hands-on practice with first pages and opening lines.
This workshop will provide writing tips, publishing information, and ideas on how to win writing competitions.
We will explore tools we can use to create imagery and consider how images in poems can tap into a wide range of sensory experiences.
In this session, we will focus on tools and features you need to know to make Canva’s templates work for you and your book.
Activities for All
In addition to exploring our local author book fair, attendees can try their hand at a book-themed creative activity. Join Amy Friedly for a hands-on workshop to make (and take) your own bookmarks with felt. Whether you're making bookmarks for yourself or to gift to others, this is a great chance to have fun and get crafty! Take a break in between workshops and networking at our Readings Cafe, which will feature presentations by authors from multiple genres. The Garnacha Spot food truck will be available on-site, offering food and refreshments throughout the day for all attendees.
Discover New Authors
More than 40 local authors from diverse genres and backgrounds will be on hand to showcase and discuss their work. From fiction and fantasy to romance and children's literature, attendees can purchase signed books, engage in insightful conversations about the writing process, and explore a variety of literary styles. Many of the featured authors have their books available in the IndyPL collection, giving attendees ample opportunities to discover these works.
The following authors will be in attendance:
Meet an Author, Be an Author is made possible by Friends of the Library through gifts to The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation. Learn more at indypl.org/meetbe.