Author Showcase Exhibits Talent of Local Writers

Over 30 authors gathered from all over Southern California at the San Bernardino Public Library to speak and share samplings of their writings to the public. Among these writers were novelists, poets, and cartoonists who were eager to share their personal motivation in their writing and inspirations. A variety of different genres were offered from fiction to non-fiction, and children’s books to cooking recipes. Event-goers got the chance to speak to the authors one-on-one and get their books signed. Speaking presentations were held in the Bing Wong Auditorium at the Feldheym Central Library, where authors Lara Rios, Norman E. Edelen, Mike Kennedy, Terri Elders and Maria Cisneros all read and shared insight on their books on a more personal level. Edelen presented his trilogy, "After a While You Wonder," and was there to promote the recent release of his third book in the murder mystery series, “It Don’t Matter." Edelen is a retired policeman who worked with the Los Angeles Police Department back in 1965 during the civil rights marches and riot. Among the authors was also John Weeks, retiree columnist from The San Bernardino County Sun. In his most recent novel, “Health Nut," he wrote about “growing up in this weird place where the world capital of junkfood (San Bernardino) sits right next to the world capital of health food (Loma Linda), and how I dealt with those Devils and Angels.” He hopes to help others make better choices in his memoirs by giving readers advice followed by a little humor, he explained. Mary Ruth Hughes was also present at the celebration, making her way from Apple Valley to share her books with San Bernardino's community. At the event she had with her at her booth both children’s books, native food recipes, and a novel based on her heritage, "Tishomingo." “Tishomingo is named after the capital of the Chickasaw nation back in Oklahoma," Hughes said. The book is based on her mother's and grandmother's love affairs with fullbloods. The book has received endorsement from the governor of the nation. "Tishomingo" is carried in the Smithsonian’s gift shop of the Natural History Museum of American Indians. Linda Adams Yeh is the event coordinator who has put the event on for the past few years, who expressed a desire to see the event continue on in the future.