LITERARY LIFE: Eighth annual Dayton Book Expo coming up soon

On Saturday, April 29, the Eighth Annual Book Expo will take place from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Sinclair Community College (444 W. Third St., Dayton), in the Great Hall of Building 12.

The event is free and open to the public. It features more than 90 authors of fiction, nonfiction, inspiration and children/teen books. Additionally, session and panels for aspiring writers are ongoing throughout the day, and a "Kidz Zone" features activities for the younger set. And most likely, the event will be well attended by hundreds of book lovers.

In full disclosure, I’m the featured author for this year’s event. I was honored to be asked and of course I had to say yes to an event that draws together so many writers and readers — or as the event’s tag line states, “where book lovers connect.”

Three authors co-founded the book expo in 2009 — Valerie J. Lewis Coleman, LaTonya Branham and Charlotte L. Jenkins. Since its first event in 2010, the expo has hosted more than 500 authors and thousands of book lovers.

Valerie is the author of "The Forbidden Secrets of the Goody Box," and through her businesses helps writers understand and navigate the process of self-publishing. Learn more about her work at www.penofthewriter.com and www.queenvpublishing.com.

Charlotte runs 31 Woman (www.31womanllc.com) which creates promotional products, customized apparel, book covers, web design and more. She is also a freelance writer and is at work on her first novel.

LaTonya is the author of several books, including "The Academic Prayer," and has contributed to Chicken Soup for the Soul editions. Learn more about her work at www.latonyabranham.com.

At this year's event, the expo will debut its largest anthology, "The Wait of Success: How to Become an Overnight Success in 7,300 Days." Eight of the contributors will be at the exhibit, and four of them will discuss their journeys to becoming authors on a panel at 3 p.m.

For full schedule details and a list of all of the authors attending, visit www.daytonbookexpo.com.

I hope to see you at the expo next Saturday!

Upcoming Literary Events

• Sunday, April 23, 2:30 p.m., Wright Memorial Public Library, 1776 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood — Writers' Café, a casual hang out for writers ages 18 and up and of all experience levels, meets the first Friday (7 p.m.) and third Sunday (at 2:30) of each month.

• Sunday, April 23, 11:30-4:30 p.m., Patterson Homestead, 1815 Brown St., Dayton — The Dayton Region of the Jane Austen Society of North America presents " 'You Can Get a Parasol at Whitby's:' Circulating Libraries in Jane Austen's Time" by Claire Bellanti, President of the Jane Austen Society of North America. A three-course high tea of savories and sweets will be served. RSVP by April 18. For more information, including menu and schedule details, visit www.jasnadayton.org, or call or email Mary Ann Gasior at 937-434-5992 or gasiormaryann@yahoo.com.

• Tuesday, April 25, 7 p.m., The Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton — "An Evening with David Sedaris" features the beloved author performing on stage with his signature storytelling program. Tickets available at TicketCenterStage.com. Call 937-228-3630 for further information. He will be autographing books after the performance. Books & Co. will have his books on sale at the event.

• Saturday, April 29, 11: a.m.-4 p.m., Ponitz Center at Sinclair Community College — For the eighth consecutive year, the Dayton Book Expo will feature numerous authors, panel discussions for aspiring authors, activities for children, and book signings. The event is free and open to the public. Learn more at www.daytonbookexpo.com.

• Saturday, April 29, 1:30 p.m. (line numbers beginning at 12:30 p.m.), Books & Co. at The Greene — Ohio Gov. John Kasich will introduce his book, "Two Paths: America Divided Or United."

About the Author