RIVER FALLS – The River Falls Public Library will host its first ever Author Fair & Panel Discussion Saturday, Nov. 11 featuring more than 40 Minnesota and Wisconsin authors, many of whom are local.

From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., authors will be set up at tables throughout the library’s lower level and people will be able to meet them and purchase their books. After a short break, the “How to Get Published!” author panel discussion will take place from 12:45-1:30 p.m. in the main library, followed by a half-hour Q&A session. The panelists will discuss ways they were able to get published and other tips and tricks for aspiring authors hoping to publish their work. All events are free.

Librarian Heather Johnson said the idea to hold an author fair came about in part because they’ve always wanted to participate in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and host an event that ties into that. Library Director Tanya Misselt said the library also gets many requests from authors wanting the library to provide a platform for them to present their material.

“Sadly, we simply don’t have the resources to do that for everyone who asks,” Misselt said. “Honestly, we weren’t sure how much interest we would have in using the format of a fair, but it certainly saves a lot of our resources to do it this way. We aren’t just pleasantly surprised by the interest, we are thrilled.”

The author fair will give local authors a chance to promote their work and network with other authors. Some authors are well-known, others are not.

“Clearly, all writers have to start somewhere and we are very aware of the gauntlet that they have to go through to just get published, let alone get visibility,” Misselt said. “I think this event will be a resounding success.”

Johnson said the library keeps a list of local authors who want to do a reading or event.

“What better way to host an event for local authors than to have them in the same place together,” Johnson said. “Writers are part of a community.”

Library assistant Anita Slate said she also invited area writing groups to attend. She’s also had fun learning about authors new to her.

Johnson encourages people to support local authors by purchasing their books, much like supporting local businesses.

“A big reason for an event like this is to be able to bring literacy and local author awareness to River Falls and surrounding communities,” Johnson said. “Local authors are out there and are publishing books. We want to help promote them. I think people sometimes underestimate the value of libraries to the community. Having an event like this, that brings together local authors, can help showcase these writers and let people know that members in the community, maybe even their neighbors, are out there writing and are getting published.”

The authors will range from internationally known to brand new. The first day the library opened up registration, 23 authors signed up. Many River Falls writers will be featured, including the library’s own staff members Savannah Williams, who has published a graphic novel, and Dustin Koski, who wrote a sci fi/fantasy book.

“We accepted as many authors as we could and had to adjust where we were going to have the authors’ tables and the author panel discussion,” Johnson said. “We kept adding more tables to the layout of the author fair in the lower level and ultimately moved the panel discussion upstairs into the main area of the library because we want to be able to accommodate as many authors, aspiring writers and community members as possible.”

Authors will be grouped by genre, with a handy map for navigation. Seven authors will take part in the panel, ranging in experience levels, ways they got published and genres. Those taking part include Rob Bignell, Leila Dexheimer, Thekla Fagerlie-Madsen, Gary Porter, Callie Trautmiller, Stanley Trollip and Jacqueline West.

Treats will be served, including hot apple cider, coffee and cookies.