Writers and book lovers will unite at an upcoming author panel at Literary Leftovers in Battle Ground.
The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 2 at the bookstore, 813 W. Main St., Battle Ground. Literary Leftovers offers author panels on the first Friday of the month. Attendance is free.
Owners Heather Erwin and Collier Lachlan Erwin began the event to bolster community involvement in the local writing and book scene.
“We’re surrounded by a lot of artsy, literary areas,” said Eily McIlvain, Literary Leftovers media and marketing manager. “The authors can meet each other. The community can see who’s writing and thinking in their community and actually be able to meet them.”
Local authors, and others from as far as Portland, attend the panel at Literary Leftovers. Many attending authors are self-published, McIlvain said.
Each author gives a presentation on their book and reads an excerpt. After the formal presentations, people can mingle with the authors and ask them questions and have them sign books.
“The authors have so much fun meeting each other and talking, and then everybody has so much fun lingering around when they’re done with their presentations,” McIlvain said.
Announcements are still being made for authors attending the upcoming panel, but as of last week, the following have been confirmed:
• Veteran combat counselor Bill Maier, who will share “A Boy at War.” The novel discusses the tedium of war through a fictional memoir.
• Author Caren Hahn, who will present “This Side of Dark.” The fictional novel tells the story of the Ellis Cove community after a young girl goes missing.
• Self-taught poet and writer Victor Griggs, who will discuss “Rolling Through Life: Thoughts About Life, Told Through Poetry & Prose.” The novel is an introspection of his life during the COVID-19 pandemic and his challenges with cerebral palsy.
• Author Jace Schwartz and illustrator Mikaila Schwartz, who will share their book “The Great Charming: The Caverns of Cracklemore.” The fictional novel tells the magical adventure of protagonist Remaine Plink and his family.
“To us, the community is the whole focal point of everything,” McIlvain said. “Readers are solitary by nature, but we have to get together every once in a while.”
Remodeled this year, Literary Leftovers sells fiction and nonfiction books, provides a community study hall for local students and hosts a variety of clubs. The store also accepts donations of gently used books.
For more information and updates on future events, visit liter aryleftoversbookstore.com.
