The annual IV Local Author Holiday Book Reading has become a great Shop Local tradition: a book reading, signing, and sales event featuring the writers and artists of the Illinois Valley. Authors/artists have the opportunity to read their work or explain their process, while guests enjoy free refreshments (baked goods, coffee & tea, etc.). Following the reading, attendees can visit with authors and pick up a book signed especially for that certain someone on your holiday list. Remember: signed books make unique holiday gifts!

Directly below is our line-up for 2019 (keep scrolling to see past years)

2019

• Jim Lettis, author of Spirit Bow: The Saga of Sean O’Malley, an exciting historical fiction
• Kit DeYoung, author of Joy the Mighty Maremma, a children’s book about a Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD)
• Deborah Dawson, our own local artist/illustrator, who illustrated Joy the Mighty Maremma
• RL Adare, author of Two Blankets, the touching and exciting life of an Indian girl.
• Celeste Eckman Himanek, author of Santa Claus and the Law of Attraction, a Christmas fable for believers of all ages
• Gary Eby, author of The Eby Way, a method for bringing sanity back to your life

2018

• Doranne Long, with her handbook for health, Your Body Book
• Dorcey Wingo, with his memoir Captain Methane and his Finely Feathered Friends featuring tales of his helicopter days
• Gary & Susan Eby, with Reflections: A Journey to God, a collection of spiritual essays
• Laura Doyle, with My Child, As You Grow Older, lessons for life available as both children’s book and coloring book
• 9-year old Kailen Forsythe-Elder, with his short story fantasy collection, Magician’s Secrets
• Coreen Davis Hampson and her collection of poetry, Growing Smaller (note: Coreen may be out of town for the reading, in which case the book’s publisher Michael Spring will read on her behalf)

2017

• Johnnie Walker, illustrator of “Beauteous Black and the Mysterious Forest,” a black fairy tale
• Franklyn Tosh, author of “Senses,” a poetry chapbook
• Desmond Serratore, illustrator and author of “Bloodstone: Toil and Trouble,” a graphic novel
• Ryan Forsythe, creator of Banana Slug Mandalas with his collection “Slugdala!”
• Hazel Danene Speer, author of “I Kicked Cancer and So Can You” (forthcoming memoir; Hazel will read from the first chapter, excerpted in volume 3 of “Cobra Lily: a review of southwest oregon literature and art”
• Michael Spring and Deborah Ann Dawson, author and illustrator, respectively, of “Woodwoo: The Little Sasquatch,” a children’s book
• Alan Laurie, Takilma Common Ground co-editor with “Takilma Common Ground Anthology – Volume II,” a collection of the second 25 issues spanning 1997-2002

2016

• Sarah Bohmker, author/editor of “There’s Gold in Them Thar Hills,” a coloring book on the history of mining
• Desmond Serratore, illustrator and author of “Bloodstone,” a graphic novel
• Rachel Goodman and Alan Laurie, Takilma Common Ground editors with “Takilma Common Ground Anthology – Volume 1,” a collection of the first 25 issues spanning 1994-1997
• Michael Spring, author of “Unfolding the Field,” a collection of poetry
• Alan Laurie, artist of “Barnyard Beasts & Beauties,” a catalog of his recent paintings
• Ryan Forsythe, author of “Dick Cheney Saves Paris,” a slapstick sci-fi novel

2015

• Dennis Strayer, author/editor of “Historic Images of the Illinois Valley”
• Michael Spring and Deborah Ann Dawson, author and artist, respectively, of “Ravenwood”
• Jim Lettis, author of “How to Catch a Whopper”
• David Newell, author of “The Poem Said”
• Nicole Rensenbrink, author of “The Besties Grow Up”
• William McMorrine, author “The Training Ground”Plus 3 from the Forsythe-Elder fam:
• Rory Forsythe-Elder, author of “10-Year Old Creepy Poems”
• Ryan Forsythe, designer of “The Doodle, Design, & Draw Book for Illinois Valley Kids of All Ages”
• Kaci Elder, author of “P(4)” [That’s P to the 4th power]

2014

• Kindi Fahrnkopf, author of ‘Takilma Tales: The Hippie History of Takilma, Oregon’
• K. R. Hulsey, author of the fantasy novel ‘Demona’
• Deborah Murphy, co-creator of the ‘Creative Creatures’ series of educational activity books
• Buckwheat Bob Harrison, author ‘Hippie Tales of the Northwest Woods,’ will be represented by his friend Mara will read & bring his book
• Justin Rohde, author of ‘Hiking Oregon and California’s Wild River Country’
• Michael Spring, author of several books of poetry including the award-winning “Blue Wolf”
• Kelpie Wilson, author of the novel ‘Primal Tears’
• Ryan Forsythe and son Rory Forsythe-Elder, creators of political satire ‘Goldilocks and the Three BARs (Beyond Available Resources)’