A new, free event is starting in Chilliwack and the focus is entirely on local authors.
The inaugural Chilliwack Book Festival takes place Saturday, May 10 at the Chilliwack campus of the University of the Fraser Valley. That day about two dozen authors will be on hand, 15 of which are from the Chilliwack and Fraser Valley area.
"I felt like they needed a light shone on them, and the space to do that," said Kenny Hawkins, organizer of the festival.
Hawkins is also the owner of The Owl and the Cat Bookery in Garrison Village where, in one corner of her store, she has a wall dedicated to local authors.
All authors at the festival are from B.C., with the exception of one who is from Alberta. They will have a chance to chat with each other, plus some will be speaking at the event. There will also be a breakout room where people can listen to the authors speak, either individually or in a panel.
It's open to all ages and there's a wide variety of genres including fiction like thriller and mystery novels, series of novels, children's picture books, graphic novels, and books about witches, dragons and more. There are authors who've written art books, poetry, autobiographies, and books about comedy, missing persons, mortgage advice and other topics.
This is just a "snippet of what's out there" when it comes to local talent, she said.
Pete the Cat will be there from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. And in true Pete-the-Cat fashion, Sardis Panago Pizza will be selling pizza.
Books will be for sale that day and they'll be taking pre-orders as well for some soon-to-be-released books.
There are also door prizes like books, gift cards, and a giant Pete the Cat stuffy. People can grab a stamp card, go around to different authors' booths to collect stamps, and then enter the draw.
She's hoping the event will connect people, who love to support local businesses, with some of B.C.'s authors.
"This is important to bring them all in one place," Hawkins said, adding that a lot of them are "very talented" and she wants the public to know about them.
The Chilliwack Book Festival is Saturday, May 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the atrium at UFV (Chilliwack campus). There is free parking on site.
For more, go to owlandcat.ca/events.
