Author Donna Cronk signed copies of her novel at a special event to promote the Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library’s upcoming author fair.
By Heather Lusk
The Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library’s inaugural author fair will take place April 11, providing an opportunity to learn more about local authors and what it takes to become published.
Twenty authors and illustrators from Indiana will be available to informally answer questions from 2 to 4:30 p.m. The fair will begin with a panel discussion at 2 p.m. with four Zionsville authors: Louis Janeira, John Preston Hanks, Jasminh Schelkopf and Amy Sorrells. Their books range from memoirs to mysteries.
“Libraries should help local authors and culture in general,” said Orty Ortwein, the library’s assistant department head for adult programming, who is enthusiastic about the variety of authors who will be participating.
The wide spectrum of genres represented includes fiction and non-fiction, poetry, sports, children’s books and suspense.
Among the fair’s Indiana authors is Donna Cronk, who recently visited the library to discuss her self-published book, “Sweetland of Liberty Bed & Breakfast.” The book chronicles a woman who returns to her hometown to open a bed and breakfast and learns that she has to trust God.
The book features a variety of Bible verses and recipes, a few of which Cronk served during her book discussion. Most recipes are from friends and family, including her grandmother’s spice cake recipe that is roughly 150 years old.
“I’ve given 60 or 70 programs and author fairs,” she said, “and this is the first time someone has asked me to do something about food.”
Cronk said that would-be authors need to consider timing. Promoting the book and attending book fairs and programs are crucial to book sales.
“If you’re passionate about a story, then tell it and find a way to publish it,” she said. “Even if you self-publish it, just do it.”
Cronk didn’t set out to write her book; her husband presented her with an idea of moving back to her hometown of Liberty, Ind., when they retired. She began to fantasize what she would do in her retirement if she lived there, and a bed and breakfast was something that intrigued her.
“I was like a little girl playing house on paper,” she said.
