Uniontown library launches author series this Saturday
Uniontown Public Library is launching a new authors series, offering free monthly lectures by writers of novels, short stories and poetry. The first event takes place 4-6 p.m. Saturday.
“We have something for everyone, whether you like romance, horror or short stories,” said Maria Sholtis, Pennsylvania Room curator.
Those interested in attending are asked to stop for free tickets at the front desk of the library, at 24 Jefferson St. They can also sign up for a reminder or notification of a schedule change in case of inclement weather.
Sholtis is coordinating the series along with author Heidi Ruby Miller, an author who teaches creative writing at Seton Hill University in Greensburg.
“Heidi Ruby Miller approached us with the idea,” said Sholtis. “She is a former teacher of mine at Uniontown High School. I knew she was connected with Pennwriters and was an author and could help us bring in local writers. Some of the writers are from out of the area. Some are from the area or have studied in the area.”
Miller is serving as co-director of the series with author Carrie Gessner, who is the first featured author in the series.
According to the library’s website, Gessner received a bachelor’s degree in English from Carnegie Mellon University and a master’s degree in writing popular fiction from Seton Hill University. She writes speculative fiction and literary fiction, some influenced by her work as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kazakhstan. “The Dying of the Golden Day” is her first novel.
Gessner’s lecture is called “Building a Fantasy World,” in which she will discuss “how a rich setting built on magic, culture, history, and more can enhance speculative fiction.”
The rest of the schedule includes Feb. 11, Dr. Lee McClain, “How Romance Grows;” March 4, Dr. Nicole Peeler, “Setting My Series in Pittsburgh;” April 1, Dr. Michael A. Arnzen, “Humor in Writing;” May 13, John Edward Lawson, “Poetry: As a Writer, As an Editor;” June 17: Larry Ivkovich, “Short Stories: Contests and Anthologies;” July 29: Annette Dashofy, “Using Police and Paramedics as Research;” Aug. 19, Stephanie Wytovich, “Women Writing Horror;” Sept. 16, Dr. Albert Wendland, “The Sublime: In Art and Science Fiction;” Oct. 23: Dr. Fred Adams, “The Resurgence of Pulp Fiction;” Nov. 4, Jason Jack Miller, “Fiction and the Power of Belief;” Dec. 9: Matt Betts, “The Steampunk Revolution.”
More information about the series and individual authors is available on the library’s website at www.uniontownlib.org.