Local Author Festival Kicks Off on Wednesday

The is kicking off its five-week Local Author Festival on Wednesday, Oct. 19.

Each week from 6:30 to 8 p.m., authors will read from their works and hold a discussion with those who attend. Here are some upcoming events:

Oct. 19—"Poems in Person": a Reading by the Allegheny Valley Poets features readings from eight local poets—Brian Bell, Julie Cecchini, Arthur Erbe, Charles Erdeljac, Kimberley Formosa, Michael Frachioni, Elaine Morris and Amber Savka. Audience members will receive index cards to wtite down any comments or questions they may have as they listen to the poems. After the readings, there will be time for questions and discussion. The poets will also talk about what inspired them to write their poems.

Oct. 26—"The Gypsy Chronicles" by Maria Farina. Farina is a voice actor who has always wanted to write a book. She succeeded with The Gypsy Chronicles, a supernatural murder mystery series set in Sewickley. Her heroine is Trudi, a spunky gypsy who helps solve paranormal crimes by using all the trades of her craft. She has written two books for the series. They are "Grave Robber" and "Grave Talk." A third is in the works. 

Nov. 2—"Help to Help Your Child: Increasing Success at School" by Bobbi Sullivan. This casual presentation, directed to parents of the pre-schooler and emergent readers, will be geared toward creating awareness of developing language and introducing those skills that will be expected before and during kindergarten. Academic and developmental readiness, as well as academic and behavioral concerns will be discussed. A question-and-answer session will follow.

Nov. 9—"Born to Lose" by Jim Hollock. His book chronicles the time when on Sept. 19, 1969. The daring rooftop escape from the old Blawnox workhouse to the kidnapping of a 20-year-old Lower Burrell woman from Greenwood Cemetery, and the subsequent evil-doings and slayings are all recounted.

Nov. 16—"The Last Letter" by Kathleen Shoop. Shoop took her great-great grandmother's letters and used them as inspiration to create and self-publish an unforgettable mother-daughter and family saga that is now an award-winning, best-selling historical fiction novel. "The Last Letter" is her debut novel and is a 2011 IPPY Gold Award winner.

Refreshments will be provided by the Oakmont . For more information about the Local Author Festival, contact Robin Almendinger at 412-828-9532 or almendingerr@einetwork.net.