Indie authors, illustrators, editors, literary agents, small indie publishing houses and printers have until August 14 to register for the Beals Memorial Library's first Indie Author Book Fair, scheduled for Saturday, September 19 from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. inside and outside the library. The rain date is September 26.

The Indie Author Bookfair is a celebration of literature, creativity and the diversity of stories being told by local indie authors. The fair will give them an opportunity to talk about their work, promote and sell their books, learn about the publishing industry, engage with their fellow writers, and reach a larger audience of potential readers.

Vendor tables are available for a donation (minimum $10), and will be arranged outside on the library lawns. Vendors must have a Massachusetts sales tax certificate to sell books and other items subject to sales tax.

The Beals is also reaching out to writers and professionals who would like to present on panels. Three, three-person panels are planned: "Intro to Publishing--How to Get Started", "Avoiding Scams" and "Working with Third Party Contractors (editors, illustrators, etc.)" The Beals is offering panelists an honorarium for sharing their expertise. Two workshops are planned: "Epubs Unzipped" with ebook conversion specialist Inanna Arthen, and "From Book to Audiobook". Workshops will be held in the downstairs book sale area inside the library, and panels will be in the library's second floor auditorium.

"Sisters in Crime" will be the Guests of Honor giving the keynote presentation.

There are 14 fifteen-minute time slots, running through the day, available for writers to take the stage and do a reading, presentation or talk about their books and writing.

Readers, book lovers, aspiring writers, and anyone interested in what it's like to be publishing books in these days of DIY and AI may attend the entire day absolutely free. Come hear the panelists, find out what exactly is inside that ebook and how it works, listen to authors read from their work and talk about what they do, shop for books, and be entertained!

Learn more, and register, at https://bealslibrary.org/bookfair or call the library at 978-297-0300. Beals Memorial Library is located at 50 Pleasant Street, Winchendon, MA.

The Beals Indie Author Book Fair is sponsored by Beals Memorial Library, Friends of the Beals Library and the Winchendon Cultural Council.