Local writers from across Richland County were featured at a collective book signing hosted at the main branch of the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library on Thursday. The authors were available to sign books and promote their stories. Genres ranged from fiction to mystery writing, and children’s books. Spirituality, witches, politics, and even a banned book was available to be purchased and signed by its author.
“I wanted people to know and understand what my family went through. The concentration camps were not only a place that Jews went to. A lot of people are not aware that Germans suffered there as well,” said Erna Becker. Becker authored a biographical memoir of her family’s journey through the Tito death camp. Becker herself is pictured as a young girl with her parents and siblings. The story is set in Franzfeld, a small German town in 1944.
Styna Lane, a 23-year-old native of Bellville, attended the event promoting her first self-published book titled, “The Energy Room.” Lane has been writing fiction since the sixth grade. Though she hadn’t seriously considered writing as a career she shared her inspiration came when she was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia at the age of 20 and became interested in the different elements and forms of energy.
Lane said that when she wrote it became easier to deal with her health issues. ”It seemed to free me from all the pain: it gave me something to concentrate on and be passionate about. I love to write,” said Lane. The book took three months to complete and is available for free to download on Amazon October 24 and 25 only. Lane’s next book, “The Violet Awakening” is coming soon.
Nature writer David Fitzsimmons said he was inspired to write books for children ages two to eight because he felt children today are not provided the opportunity to appreciate and experience nature and its critters in their natural elements. Fitzsimmons series of books titled “Curious Critters” have won five national book awards including IBPA Best First Book.
“I hope my books will encourage young readers to go out into nature and experience it’s beauty first hand,” said Fitzsimmons.
Other local authors on hand include Scott Fields, the author of “Mansfield Killings.” The best selling novel is based on the true killing spree of Robert Daniels and John West. Known as the worst killing spree in Ohio history in the summer of 1948, the two convicts murdered six people in a two-week period and were later put to death.
Bill Pancoast’s “Wildcat,” about the auto industry, particularly GM and its unions, was banned by the United Auto Workers International Union. The second novel Pancoast had on display was titled “Crashing.” He described it as satire. Growing up in Galion, Pancoast is formerly the editor of the Union Forum.
“Psychology is the new paradigm for understanding religion,”said Walter Kania, Ph.D and author of a series of four books dealing with religion and health. His first book “Healthy Religion” is followed by “A Believable Bible”, “A Credible Christianity” and coming soon, ”Spirituality without Sin and Salvation.” Kania explores the world of spirituality and the physical, mental and emotional health and how they intertwine.
For more information on the authors featured at the book fair and future book signing events featuring local authors call the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library at 419-521-3100 or visit their website.
“I wanted people to know and understand what my family went through. The concentration camps were not only a place that Jews went to. A lot of people are not aware that Germans suffered there as well,” said Erna Becker.
