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Photo courtesy of Putnam County -- Officials are looking for up to 20 local authors to participate in Putnam Writes!
By Sarah Cavacini
Palatka Daily News
scavacini@palatkadailynews.com
Reading enthusiasts want to expose local residents to published authors who call Putnam County home.
Organizers for Putnam Writes! are searching for authors to be part of the event, which will take place from 5:30- 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Woman’s Club of Palatka clubhouse, 600 N. 13th St.
The One Book One Putnam Committee and Putnam County Library System are partnering to host the event, for which up to 20 authors can register to display their books and speak to residents.
All authors must live in Putnam County and have published a book, said organizer Bob Lee, a One Book One Putnam Committee member.
“We just plan to make it a good time,” he said.
There is no cost for the public to attend, nor will authors have to pay anything to register, organizers said.
There is no restriction on the genre of books authors have written, Lee said. The only requirement to register, he said, is a participant having published a book.
Authors can register by contacting Mischa Johns, who oversees the library system’s special collections and archives, at 386-329-0126 or mischa.johns@putnam-fl.gov.
Author Rob Mattson has already committed to attending Putnam Writes! Mattson, a retired environmental scientist from the St. Johns River Water Management District, and wrote “Civil War Navy in Florida.”
Mattson attended previous writing events in the county and is also involved in historical reenactments. He said he wanted to attend Putnam Writes! because it will be an opportunity for him to sell his book and talk about it with others.
Mattson said he plans to be in period clothing and showcase trinkets at his display. Mattson said his book takes a statewide perspective on the Civil War Navy. It took one year to compile the research, Mattson said, because he’d been a contributing blogger to a historical blog for about five years.
He said his interest in the Civil War is a hobby, but he uses his knowledge when speaking at museums.
He has some advice for anyone who is interested in becoming a writer or is a budding author.
“All I can say is dive in,” Mattson said.
Lee estimated Putnam County houses up to 50 published authors, and he would love for them to register so they can get more exposure locally.
Putnam Writes! would be a great place for writing and English language arts teachers, no matter what level they teach, to bring their students, Lee said. If people want to learn more about becoming a writer, this is the event for them, Lee proclaimed.
“This is an opportunity for them to come and meet real, live authors because a lot of people, students, have never had a chance to meet a real author in person,” Lee said. “Now’s their chance.”
