OCEANSIDE — The third annual Write On Oceanside Literary Fair will feature 23 Oceanside authors.
Genres of local authors range from military to paranormal, mystery, biography, writers’ help and history.
“There are over 50 authors in Oceanside,” Eliane Weidauer, Write On Oceanside Literary Fair chairwoman, said. “It stuns me how may published authors there are in Oceanside in a variety of genres.”
Authors will read from their books and speak on the writing process throughout the afternoon.
“Periodically authors will do a little bit of reading and talk about the process of writing that particular book,” Weidauer said.
There will be opportunities for fair attendees to purchase books, collect autographs and take photos with authors.
“As a member of the Cultural Arts Foundation our mission is to support the arts in our community,” Weidauer said. “We felt the literary nitch needed to be filled. We want the public to be aware of what we have right here in our community.”
Several of the authors who will be presenting are fairly well known, including author, ghost writer and writers’ help author Robert Yehling; features writer, editor and fiction author Mike Sirota; and Oceanside historian and author Kristie Hawthorne.
“Mike Sirota has a big following,” Weidauer said. “Kristie Hawthorne has written an Oceanside history book. Robert Yehling goes to a lot of writers conferences and has a large following.”
Notable military author retired 1st Sgt. John Farritor will also present. Farritor, 93, wrote about his 20 years in the military and his experiences during World War II. Included in his book is his recollection of marching from Camp Elliott in San Diego to Camp Pendleton when it was established in 1942.
All authors presenting at the fair live in Oceanside or have written about Oceanside.
“I think the authors have an equal amount of enjoyment interacting with their peers,” Weidauer said.
A writers’ workshop will be held before the fair from 11 a.m. to noon at the Civic Center Library Community Room. At the Publish Don’t Perish: an Introduction to Self-Publishing workshop a panel of authors and editors will answer questions on self-publishing.
“It was very popular last year,” Weidauer said. “We expanded it to an hour this year. Authors and publishers talk to students, writers and those who want to be published.”
During the fair attendees can add a sentence to the collaborate Never Ending Story writing project.
Author Mo McGee will share her children’s alphabet book and lead a children’s craft.
There will also be instructions on protologism and how to create your own word.
Authors also include Stephen Prosapio, Michelle Matkins, L. M. Lawson, Frank Ritter, Nicasio Latasa, Veronika Paul, James Schell, Lloyd Martin, Shira Rista, Pastor Joseph Travers, Joshua Michael Travers, Jack Shabel, Matt Lyons and Sonja Van Hall.
The fair is supported by the Oceanside Cultural Arts Foundation, Oceanside Public Library, and Friends of the Oceanside Public Library. It is free to the public.
The Write On Oceanside Literary Fair will be held at the Civic Center Plaza July 20, from 1 to 3 p.m.
