Christine Whelan FEO, June 20, 2024, VOL. 5 ISSUE 21
Karin DiBiase, owner of the bookstore, takes pleasure in shining a light on the local writing community by providing opportunities for the authors to promote their work.
Ridgeway Reads is one event that creates these necessary connections. Karin explained, “Every Saturday morning, you can meet a different local author in our bookstore between 10:30 and 12:30.” She added, “This is while the town is bustling with Saturday morning shopping and errand-running, along with the now-opened Farmers’ Market.”
She smiled. “For many of these authors, this is their first opportunity to launch their books. We’re very proud to give them that opportunity.”
The summer schedule was kicked off on June 8. “Brand new author, Rosemary Hurren, was the first author at the event to promote her detective novel. Barbara Lilley followed on June 15 with a book of inspirational stories she, among others, contributed to.”
In addition to Ridgeway Reads is a Thursday evening author event with Colin Brezicki and Ellen Foster on June 27 at 7:00 pm.
“Melanie Leavey, who wrote the Skelly series, has a fourth book out. She’s going to be at the bookstore on July 20.” She added, “We have poets, as well. Keith Inman is coming in for a poetry reading in July.”
“We have well-established authors like Adam Shoalts, who is from the Niagara area and a cookbook by Fort Erie’s Matty Matheson, who is world famous.”
“Gary Pooler’s book on the history of Crystal Beach has been a best-seller. And I’ve got June Chipp’s books. She’s another local historian whose recent book is about the War of 1812 and Snake Hill.”
The bookstore has two book clubs. “They’ve chosen books from local authors to read. Along with their books, we’ve included walking tours. It made everything in the book come alive.” She shared how Chipp’s tour through the Snake Hill area was quite a unique experience.
Authors at Ridgefest
“For authors like Gary Pooler who draw quite a crowd, we do different types of events. For example, Gary will be in front of the bookstore, signing books during Ridgefest on July 6.” Other authors will be a part of Ridgefest. Look for Samantha Meli and Jim MacDonald on the street by the bookstore.
“We have authors who are young, in their early 20s like Samantha, right through to authors who are in their later years, who are finally having the opportunity to share their stories that they’ve been thinking about for a long time because now they’re retired.”
The locals provide a variety of literary genres, “We have local history books, we have romance novels, children’s books, survival stories, detective stories.”
Some authors are homegrown. Some authors have moved to the area intending to write. Some have moved away but still have an affinity for the area and are returning to promote their books.
“I have books being presented to me weekly. There are currently over 40 local authors’ books in this store.” Karin said, that not everyone is participating in Ridgeway Reads.
She says there are too many to list in acknowledgement however they can be found on the bookstore’s website. A full author’s list can also be obtained at the bookstore.
Supporting Authors Through Changes in the Publishing Industry
“The publishing industry has changed drastically. While there are more opportunities for authors to get their stories out there, with more independent publishing houses, for example, there is much more on the author.”
Karin explained, “It’s a very solitary journey for a writer. But, once the book is published, unlike a seasoned and well-known author, there is no team behind them to promote them. No agent, no publisher. It is incumbent on the actual author to get out there and promote their work. Not everyone is comfortable with that. Even doing a book signing can be very daunting.”
Lakeside offers options. “Some new authors don’t want to take part in a book signing. That’s ok. Sometimes we hold a closed-door, by invitation only event.”
Authors can sit in the cozy back area of the store. “They can sign their books. They can engage with people and talk about their work.”
To share someone’s work can make them feel vulnerable. “It can be very intimidating, but we try to create a safe space here where they can comfortably promote their book.”
Ridgeway Reads Summer Schedule
• June 22 – Samantha Meli
• June 29 – June Chipp
• July 13 – T. Lawrence Davis
• July 20 – Melanie Leavey
• July 27 – Keith Inman
• August 10 – J.A. Boulet
• August 17 – BB Elizabeth Carver
• August 24 – Angelo Coniglio
Karin stated, “Everyone has a story to tell and now they can because of the different ways to publish. We are proud to support our local authors and are lucky to have many talented people in our community.”
Lakeside Books and Art, 341 Ridge Road N., downtown Ridgeway is your go-to spot for your summer reading.
To follow up on any details, follow the store on Instagram and the Facebook page, Lakeside Books. The website can be found at lakesidebooksandart.ca
For questions, you can call 289-876-9618 or email lakesidebooks@outlook.com
