Politics & Government
Write On Oceanside Connects 24 Local Authors With the Public
Residents meet with published local authors to peruse their work and gain inspiration during the city's Write On Oceanside event.
Novelists, aspiring writers and bookworms gathered to meet and greet with 24 local authors who showcased their work during the Write On Oceanside community event held at the city library Sunday.
“Every author here is a published author that lives locally,” said Eliane Weidauer, chairwoman of Write On Oceanside. “We thought that it was time that we recognize some of the authors we have here today.”
A wide genre of written works was available, including fiction, nonfiction, military and self-help books.
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“I think it’s a great event and gives us authors a chance to meet each other and have the community come and see how creative and positive Oceanside arts are,” said author Jussta, whose firewalking book chronicles her adventures in Australia.
Delta Dogs author George Durgin, whose booth was a few steps away, couldn’t agree more, saying that arranging a meet with other local authors was a nice gesture from the city.
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“When I found out there was going to be local authors, I wanted to come and see what types of writing they are doing and where they get their inspiration, and see what they have to offer,” said Erica Cox, who is part of the library book club. “It’s wonderful to know that there are so many talented people living right here in Oceanside.”
The event, which is in its first year, is expected to grow by next summer, as the city already had to turn down 10 authors and placed them on a waiting list.
“I couldn’t believe how many published authors live here in Oceanside,” said principal librarian Monica Chapa-Domercq. “We did this to support our local authors as they are all unique and have their own perspective of Oceanside.”
For children’s book author Marta Arroyo, the event is a chance for Oceanside to showcase its literary residents and their talents.
“I’m happy to be a part of it, and it’s a very beautiful thing for Oceanside to have all these authors present,” Arroyo said. “People want to see what their community is all about, and it’s great that we’re given this opportunity to showcase our work.”
For some, the chance to dig into a writer’s mind was reason enough to show and ask questions.
“I like coming to these events and get some ideas from other writers and see how I can push myself and hopefully get published,” said aspiring author Lacey Gordon, whose work revolves around the murder-mystery genre.
“It’s impressive that there are so many authors with different varieties of books and all of them were very knowledgeable and know their stuff,” said resident Jean Burns.