Earlier this month I had the pleasure of holding an author event in Kannapolis, North Carolina’s branch of the Cabarrus County Public Library system to talk about my vintage postcard book, The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

Those in attendance were very supportive and interested. They seemed to enjoy the “audience participation” portion of my presentation. There was lots of discussion and give and take between me and audience members, which I enjoyed. Everyone was engaged in the presentation, which made for an enjoyable evening for all.

The library staff had an attractive display of other library books about or which were set in the Blue Ridge Mountains along with a pamphlet listing all those books. Someone put a lot of work into researching the collection and putting the display and brochure together.

After my presentation and the Q&A portion of the program, I sold and autographed copies of my book. It’s always rewarding when someone is moved to pay $20 for a copy of my book.

I appreciate the Friends of the Kannapolis Library’s willingness to host this event. It is only through the generosity of people who voluntarily give of their time and resources to support public libraries on the local level that authors can hold events like this. In today’s climate of budget cuts, decreased library operating hours, and skeletal staff in public libraries, it is not easy to schedule programs like the one I offer. I am indebted to the Friends of the Kannapolis Library and the entire staff there for making this event possible.