With an attendance of over 100, we hope this will become an annual event to allow readers to interact directly with creative writers in our community.”Sharon Townson, library director
CULLMAN – On Tuesday, April 12, the Cullman County Public Library hosted a Meet and Greet the Author Event in honor of National Library Week. It was the perfect opportunity to meet local writers and hear their stories.
“The library was thrilled to host the Author Meet and Greet recognizing the accomplishments of our local authors,” said Sharon Townson, library director. “With an attendance of over 100, we hope this will become an annual event to allow readers to interact directly with creative writers in our community.
“It was wonderful witnessing the authors getting a chance to get to know each other,” she smiled. “There were book discussions, buying, selling and signing of books.”
The following authors were at the event. Each had his or her own table for books and merchandise.
- Sharon Schuler Kreps, author of “Jokers & Dandies,” a book about growing up in Cullman during the 1970s as seen through the big brown eyes of a whimsical little Southern girl.
- Greg Burden, author of “Blount Springs, Alabama’s Fountain of Youth,” which tells the history of Blount Springs when it was a health resort. The book covers over 100 years of history.
- Bethany Kerr, author of “Precious Infants – Courageous Stories of Premature Birth,” which is a compilation of 90+ pencil drawings of premature infants, accompanied by a story of each child's incredible journey. Kerr is also the author of “Answers in a Time of Miscarriage.” The book provides factual answers to many common questions about miscarriage. It also has many poignant stories of loss that Kerr has collected, including her own story of miscarriage.
- Joy York, author of “The Bloody Shoe Affair,” a thrilling adventure. In this mystery, set in 1968, Christi, a shy and awkward teenager, never expected to get sucked into helping her cousin, Lily, the “double-dare-you” daughter of the county jailer, try to solve the grizzliest murder the town of Roselyn, Mississippi had ever seen.
- Joyce Elson Moore, award-winning author of “The Stockholm Castle Mystery,” which is set in 17th-century Stockholm where the Swedish queen’s lute player must solve a theft and murder in the castle.
- Kay Cagle, co-author of “Legendary Locals of Cullman County,” which takes a look at well-known people from Cullman County.
- Stephen Skinner, author of “The 100X Life: 7 Simple Daily Habits That Will Transform Your Life, Unlock Your Greatest Potential, and Create a Life Beyond Your Wildest Dreams!” A pharmacist who goes against the mainstream, Stephen Skinner went from financially successful yet burned out, out of shape, overweight and grouchy to being successful in all areas of life and shows how you can do it, too.
- Elizabeth Elson, writer of historical fiction. Her book, “Julia, Daughter of Rome” is the first in a series about women who defined their own lives in the shadow of powerful men.
- Julian Campbell, a decorated WWII veteran who is represented in “Legendary Locals of Cullman County.” He has written his memoirs and was there to represent his book.
“What a great crowd at the authors and writers reception,” said Kay Cagle. “Our thanks go out to Leisa Coleman and the wonderful staff for their help in making the evening a success. It was good to see Julian Campbell, decorated WWII veteran and represented in ‘Legendary Locals of Cullman County,’ Larry Rowlette, who does such a fine job of portraying Col. Cullmann and Bethany Kerr, one of the team of artists who create those gorgeous murals on buildings in Cullman. I enjoyed the fellowship with fellow authors and seeing many friends.”
