Anyone who loves books knows that the economic recession hit brick-and-mortar bookstores particularly hard. Nationally, we lost Borders Books. Locally, we’ve seen the attrition of our booksellers — note the recent closure of The Well Red Coyote in Sedona.
The downturn has affected more than readers, however. Once stocked in area bookstores, local authors now struggle to find shelf-space and make a name for themselves regionally. To make matters worse, Verde Valley communities have struggled for decades to make book fairs work.
For the last three years, the Cottonwood Author’s Forum, sponsored by Cottonwood Public Library, filled an important niche space, allowing authors from across the Verde Valley a chance to showcase and sell their books.
For 2016, Library Assistant II Kyle Smith — who took over the event’s reins last year — has an even more ambitious plan to promote the talents of local authors.
It begins with a name. What was once the Author’s Forum has become the 2016 Cottonwood Book Fair, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 29.
The venue has changed, as well. Where the forum took place at the Cottonwood Recreation Center, the book fair will take place at the Verde Valley Fairgrounds, scheduled to coincide with the Verde Valley Fairgrounds Fall Festival.
“We’ll feature 40 local authors showcasing their talent,” Smith said, adding that he hopes to increase the visibility of authors significantly by allowing them access to upward of 2,500 people attending the annual fall festival.
According to Smith, authors face significant challenges getting their work before the public — not in the least because authors are often not placed in the same category as other local artists. Smith insisted that authors are every bit the artists that painters, sculptors and musicians are.
“I think many people in the community don’t realize how much talent we have here,” Smith added.
Smith said that the author roster of 40 is more than halfway full, but he is still seeking inquiries from Verde Valley authors interested in purchasing a table reservation. The fee is $25, which covers the reservation itself and a temporary business license.
Ramping up to the fair, Smith hopes to add more workshops at the library. Three are already scheduled, beginning Tuesday, Oct. 25 at the library. Authors who have registered for the fair are encouraged to pitch workshop ideas.
To contact Smith, call 340-2782 or email ksmith@cottonwoodaz.gov.
