Gramercy Books, Bexley Public Library showcase local authors at upcoming festival

Not long after Linda Kass opened Gramercy Books in December 2016 , she began receiving queries from self-published and small-press authors looking to promote their work at the Bexley bookstore.

"We do have a robust local author section and always planned to have one, but we only have so much space, and there are only so many days and times we can host author events and book signings," said Kass, the author of three historical-fiction novels.

"So, our solution to this was to create a local author festival."

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The festival debuted on a sweltering day in August 2017 outside the 2424 E. Main St. store and Kass realized more space — and air conditioning — was needed if the event was to continue. So, since then, Gramercy Books has partnered with the Bexley Public Library to host the festival.

"We are so fortunate to have a wonderful public library right across the street!" Kass said.

Showcasing the work of 40 independently published and small-press authors from central Ohio, the Local Author Festival will be from 2-4 p.m. Aug. 31 in the auditorium of the Bexley Public Library, 2411 E. Main St. The event is free and no registration is required to attend.

To choose authors for the festival, Gramercy sends out invitations to local authors whose books are sold at the store, as well as to those who have requested book signings and other events over the past year. Authors are then selected on a first-come, first-served basis, Kass said.

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“We have had to limit it to 40 authors each year due to space considerations. We don’t have the ability to grow in terms of authors we feature, but the event has really grown in terms of attendance,” said Kass, who estimated between 250-300 people attend the festival each year.

bpaschal@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Gramercy Books, Bexley Public Library showcase local authors at upcoming festival