Gospel Book Store presenting exciting Author’s Day Oct. 25

There is something simplistic, inspirational and comforting in sitting down by a fire at home on a cold wintry night and curling up with a good book. For centuries authors have been touching lives through their words, making connections with their readers. Books can inspire, build hope and ignite passion. A person can read a book and feel as though they have been transported to whatever realm the author is creating.

However, sometimes it’s tough to get the whole story from the dust jacket, and meeting and talking to an author firsthand about a favorite book can connect readers to authors in ways they never dreamed possible.

The upcoming Gospel Book Store Author’s Day on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. will present the perfect opportunity for fans of Ohio authors to greet their favorite writers. The meet and greet and book-signing will take place in the main lobby in German Village and will feature around 30 authors from throughout Ohio and even one from Indiana.

The authors will meet and greet the public, sign books, and chat about their writing experiences, something that allows readers to glean more about where the authors are coming from in writing their books.

Gospel Book Store owner Merv Stoltzfus is excited about the opportunity this event brings to both authors and readers.

“People love meeting authors,” Stoltzfus said. “For some of these authors that aren’t a big-name author, it gives them a chance to connect with readers in a real way. One of the neat things about this is that it presents readers with some new and exciting options of authors they may not know about.”

He said learning about authors often piques the interest in new ways because readers get to learn the back story and each author’s personal story about what inspired them to write their book.

“I’ve heard a lot of people talk about how they wouldn’t have ever bought a particular book until they actually met the author and were inspired to check it out,” Stoltzfus said. “That’s the nice connection. That happens at events like this.”

Stoltzfus said the day will include authors of a variety of book styles, like children’s books, fiction, cookbooks, inspirational, Christian living, devotional and more. Most of the authors are Amish or Anabaptist with many of them self-published.

While some of the authors are traveling some distance to get to the event, many of them live and work right here in Amish Country. Stoltzfus said there is an incredible number of gifted authors in this immediate area, and this book-signing allows them to share a little piece of who they are with the people who enjoy what they write.

“This is such a neat community event that connects people,” Stoltzfus said. “This is a really fun, relaxed atmosphere that invites people to simply chat and share together.”

With Christmas right around the corner, the book-signing is a perfect segue to the Christmas season for those looking to purchase reading material for family and friends. The event will offer items like a personalized, signed book from the author as a unique Christmas gift.

Over the past 15 years of the Gospel Book Store’s Author’s Day, many new, local authors have been blessed to share their vision and mindset with interested readers, and the event has promoted authors while enhancing the readers' pleasure.

The best part of this event is it invites people to gravitate toward the authors with which they feel a connection, helping to personalize the written words.

“Readers love to dig deeper and get to know authors on a more personal level,” Stoltzfus said. “It’s just a fun day of sharing a common interest for everyone involved.”

During the event the authors' tables will be set up throughout the lobby area at German Village, where patrons can take their time perusing the many options and speak with authors at their leisure.

Each author will sell and sign books throughout the event.

Gospel Book Store is located inside German Village in Berlin.