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Book Fair To Benefit Library And Showcase Local Authors

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By MEGAN HUSSEY

Tribune correspondent

Published: July 24, 2008

From hard-hitting tales of mystery and suspense to commentaries and memoirs, Marshall Frank is a published author who brings personal experience to his work - and to his readers.

"I have five suspense novels that one reviewer described as complete with 'verisimilitude,'

" he said. "My 30 years in police work, including 16 years in homicide, gives me an advantage to offer realism in my stories, and hopefully, lots of suspense derived from the human struggle with crime.

"My nonfiction books address stimulating topics in a very direct manner which informs the reader of new data and points of view outside the box."

Frank's newest book, a memoir titled "From Violins To Violence," has been called "one of the best books of the year" by Florida Today. It's one of the books he will present at The Book Fair, an event planned for Saturday that will showcase Florida authors and their work.

The fair, hosted by the Pasco County/New Port Richey chapter of the Florida Writers Association, will benefit the Friends of the New Port Richey Public Library.

"It's an opportunity for writers to market their work and find more exposure among readers, media, agents and publishers," Frank said. "Avid readers love book fairs and love meeting the authors even more, and this gives them a rare opportunity do just that."

Event organizer Dahris Clair, president of the Pasco/New Port Richey chapter of the Florida Writers Association, agrees that the fair will offer benefits for writers and readers.

"It's a charitable event for the benefit of the library fund and a wonderful opportunity to meet the authors and to network," she said. "I believe the fair will benefit readers who will have the opportunity not only to find good fiction and nonfiction, but to meet with the authors and discuss what inspired them to write it.

"For children, it will promote a love of reading from the toddlers on up. It's good for the writers to meet with their critics. They are the ones we write for. Many a good idea is born at just such a function."

The fair, Clair said, will include works representing a variety of genres, ranging from children's books to Christian nonfiction to mystery, suspense, thrillers, sweet romance, to paranormal romantic suspense.

Aside from Frank, participating authors include D'Maria Scaglione, children's author; D.H. Clair, paranormal romantic suspense writer; Susan Haley, winner of the 2007 Indie Award for her audio version of "Rainy Day People"; Russ Heitz, award-winning author of the suspense novel "Crosshairs"; award-winning thriller writer John M. Taylor; Rita Milios, "The Mind Mentor" and transformational psychotherapist; historical writer Madonna Wise; and romance author Linda White-Francis.

"For me getting to do a book signing is an extreme privilege because it is a wonderful opportunity to talk to people who love to read," said White-Francis, a Holiday resident whose stories appear in the Midnight Showcase Fiction digests "Journeys of the Heart," "Sweet Wishes Hot Dishes" and "Sweet Challenge." "The greatest pleasure as a writer is introducing my work to a reader who loves the romance genre and can't wait to read my love story."

Wise, a longtime Zephyrhills resident and veteran educator, agrees. She will offer her newly published book, "Tapestry - Zephyrhills, An Anthology of Its History Through Education," at the book fair.

"The fair organized by Dahris Clair is an opportunity to showcase Florida authors to readers and entice prospective ones as well," Wise said. "Authors are often introspective and look at life through many lenses from their characters' or pen's vantage point, so I also suspect the opportunity to share our life stories of trials and successes in writing with each other will be a synergistic opportunity for the authors as well," she said.

At the book fair, each author will have 10 minutes to speak about his or her book or to read a portion.

Also at this event, David Prace, president of the Friends of the New Port Richey Public Library, will be present to receive donation checks to the New Port Richey Library fund. A gift to the library fund also will be presented.

"The FWA Pasco Branch has done so much already for the New Port Richey Library and for our creative community," said Ann Scott, events and outreach director at the New Port Richey Public Library. "Not only do they continually host Florida authors as well as an annual writers conference and fresh projects like the upcoming author's fair here, but they also give generously to the Friends, a volunteer organization that aids and promotes the NPR Library. So, not only is it great fun to collaborate with a group as strong and organized as FWA Pasco, but our library reaps many benefits from our association with this big-hearted group."

THE BOOK FAIR

SOME BACKGROUND: The Book Fair, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the New Port Richey Public Library, 5939 Main St., New Port Richey, will showcase the published work of Florida writers.

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS: In order to participate in the fair, each author paid a minimum $5 donation to the Friends of the New Port Richey Public Library.

A LITTLE HISTORY: This marks the first time the Pasco County/New Port Richey chapter of the Florida Writers Association has hosted a Book Fair. FWA member and featured book fair author Marshall Frank describes the association as "a statewide organization that provides a wonderful network for writers, editors, agents and publishers to interact and help one another."

GET INVOLVED: For information about The Book Fair, contact organizer Dahris Clair at PascoFWA@verizon.net.

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