Sean C. Morgan
Local writers are invited to the Sweet Home Public Library on Thursday, Sept. 24, to read their work aloud.
The library, at 1101 13th Ave., will host an Authors’ Open Mic Night beginning at 6:15 p.m. The public is invited to listen.
Two recently published local authors, Dana Kirk (pen name for Dana Simonson) and Mark Holden will read selections from their books, “The Sea Dragon’s Lair” and “Innerland” respectively.
Their books will be available for sale at the library during the event.
“We’ll have them and any other authors-poets who want to sign up and participate,” said Rose Peda, library director. She also has invited authors who participated in the first two open mic nights, held earlier this year.
Other published local authors will be invited to future events, Peda said. “We will tell people to be looking for more programs.”
The open mic night is not just for authors, Peda said. “If you don’t have any work you’ve written or you’re not an author, it’s fun to just come hear them.”
The previous two events had an attendance of 20 to 25, she said. Several members of the Willamette Writers on the River, the Corvallis Chapter of Willamette Writers, have attended in the past; but Sweet Home has been represented by local writers too, young and old.
“I think it’s just a good opportunity for everybody,” Peda said. “It’s a safe environment for everybody to read what they’ve written in front of others.”
In other upcoming programs, the library has booked the Man of Words Theater, Ricky Birran, to return and recite “A Christmas Carol” again on Nov. 4. He recited the story during last year’s Christmas season.
On Sept. 8, the library held its “Escape the Ordinary” event, an adult night capping off the Summer Reading Program.
As part of the activities, adults submitted 53 book reviews. The reviewers were entered in a drawing.
Winning gift certificates to local restaurants were Gina Swanson, Patricia Hatch, James Heaberlin and Diana Lindsley. Dawn Levy won a book bag with the words “Escape the Ordinary” on the side.
The book reviews will be used for an upcoming program, “Blind Date with a Book,” in which participants will read books with identifying the book – based solely on reviews.
Snippets and ratings, in the form of “booms,” will be used on the books to help provide information about the books to library patrons.
For more information about the library and its programs, call (541) 367-5007.