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Authors of several books, including Celina writers Michelle Hosts and Alexis Buxton, will take part in a local literary festival at Tri Star on Saturday.
CELINA - Bookworms and literature buffs alike will be out in full force this weekend.
The Grand Lake Area Literature Festival will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Tri Star on State Route 703.
Co-chairs Chris Noble and Beth Keuneke noted that this is the third year for the event, and interest continues to grow.
This year's event will have 20 authors on hand to discuss their works. Noble and Keuneke said the event is an "open house" format, so people can come and go at any time.
Two of the writers are from Celina - children's author Michelle Houts and novelist Alexis Buxton, author of "The Late Hit" and "The Change Up."
The featured authors and books cover all age ranges from young children to adults, Noble and Keuneke said.
Others writers set to appear Saturday are Will Hillenbrand, author of "The Voice in the Hollow;" Tricia Springstubb, "Looking for True;" Shannon Anderson, "I Love Strawberries;" Sara Siddiqui Chansarkar, "Skin Over Milk;" Mindy McGinnis, "Under This Red Rock;" Merrill Rainey, "Giants Are Very Brave People;" Marcy Campbell, "The More You Give;" Lylanne Musselman, "Staring Dementia in the Face;" Lindsay Bonilla, "The Storyteller;" Kristy Boyce, "Dungeons and Drama;" Keila Dawson, "Yumbo Gumbo;" Katie Mazeika,"Beulah Has A Hunch;" Janet Beard, "The Ballad of Laurel Springs;" Erin Alon Brain, "Periwinkle an Her Absolutely Dizzy-Dazzling Day!;" Erik Jon Slangerup, "Molly and the Mutants;" Bettie Boswell, "Dottie's Dream Horse;" Becky Gehrisch, "Escape to Play;" and Amy Tackett, "The Gala."
Authors will have tables set up and fans can meet and discuss the works with them. They will give readings and short presentations as well, the co-chairs said.
On top of that, the festival will feature panel discussions on writing picture books, writing for middle school and young adults, writing for adults and illustrating children's books.
Retired teacher and freelance writer Cathy Leining will hold two workshops. Her "Kids Can Be Writers and Illustrators, Too!" workshop from 12:30-1 p.m. is designed for children aged 7-11.
Her second workshop entitled "Channel Your Inner Writer/Illustrator" runs from 1:30-2 p.m. It's intended for adult writers.
Third- and fourth- graders who have improved their reading skills will get a certificate and a voucher for a book. The cost is being covered by area service clubs.
Noble and Keuneke said that 90 students will be honored from Celina, Fort Recovery, St. Marys, Parkway, New Bremen, Holy Rosary, Marion Local, St. Henry and Wapakoneta.
The co-chairs said over 700 people attended last year's event.
Other activities will include a craft room, tours of the Tri-Star facility and food sales.
For more informaton, visit Grand Lake Area Literature Festival's Facebook page or myartsplace.org.
