Celebrate local talent: Local Author Book Fair and Vendor Market set for Sept. 19 at the Legion
By Wendy Lamond
Anyone who loves books and shopping should look no further than the St. Marys Legion on Saturday, Sept. 19, where local vendors and writers will be available to chat at the Local Author Book Fair & Vendor Market.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with lots to look at and learn about. Organizer Shalyn Dussiaume-Good said she was speaking with Jan Scott at Betty’s Bookshelf and she said there was some interest in a book fair that showcases all local authors. Dussiaume-Good, being a local author herself, jumped on board and agreed to organize it.
She wanted it to be more than just books, though.
“My thought was that I wanted to create an event that I would want to go to. I wanted it to be filled with everything Canadian. We need to keep things at home,” Dussiaume-Good said.
That’s where the vendor idea came in. The book fair and vendor sale will have at least 13 local authors, illustrators and over 10 vendors, all of whom live in either St. Marys, Stratford or London.
Dussiaume-Good, who belongs to Stratford Writes, has a published book at Betty’s Bookshelf and has another one in the works to come out in November. Her son, Noah Good, seven, has a published children’s book in which he also did the illustrations. This is Dussiaume-Good’s first time organizing an event like this, but she is excited to be a part of it, knowing full well the talent St. Marys is home to.
Some of the vendors that will be there include Stonetown Tallow, Mary Kay, Norwex, a knitter who makes book bags and Dussiaume-Good’s son, who makes pens and bookmarks with silicone beads. On the author side, there will books to purchase, book signing and Dussiaume-Good hopes there will be readings taking place. There will also be an illustrator who does amazing pet portraits.
The book fair will cater to all ages with a variety of themes. The Local Author Book Fair and Vendor Market is free admission, however donations will be accepted for the Imagination Library, a free book-gifting program that provides books to children regardless of household income and was started by the late Dolly Parton in 1995.
There will be snacks and drinks available for purchase and a colouring station for children.
For all who attend the event, their names will go on a ballot for a chance to win a backpack full of school supplies.
Dussiaume-Good, who has her own counselling business in St. Marys, expressed her thanks to all the authors and vendors attending on the 19th, and to her family, who is pitching in to help at the fair and have been a good support system throughout the planning process.
There is something very special about reading and supporting the authors that live in our community. It strengthens personal connections, helps the economy and maybe will even inspire others to become writers.
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