WESTFIELD-Joyce Peregrin and Jessica Martin are teaming up as “partners in literacy” as they host a Local Author Fair Oct. 6 on the Westfield Athenaeum’s lawn on Court Street.
Joyce Peregrin, public services librarian at the Westfield Athenaeum, and Jessica Martin, co-owner of Blue Umbrella Books are coordinating a Local Author Fair.
Peregrin, public services librarian at the Athenaeum, and Martin, co-owner of Blue Umbrella Books on Main Street (formerly BookClub Bookstore & More), share a love of reading and their first collaboration is one that is close to their hearts.
“To celebrate the last day of the Westfield Farmers’ Market but not the last day of fun in the downtown area, we wanted to bring together several talented local authors to discuss their books and careers with people who love to read,” said Peregrin.
Martin echoed those sentiments.
“With the cooler temperatures coming, there is something special about having a cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate and curling up with a good book,” said Martin.
Both women have been avid readers since their youth, and through their own careers, have shared their love for books with others.
Martin Henley
“I grew up in Concord and remember visiting Louisa May Alcott’s home when I was five years old,” said Peregrin. “I still have one of her books from that visit.”
Robert W. Thompson
Martin concurred.
“As long as I can remember, I was always receiving the ‘book of the month,’ or visiting the library,” said Martin who grew up in Enfield, Conn. “I always had a book next to my bed.”
Both women agree that the author fair is the start of a wonderful relationship that will blossom over time.
“This is the start of a great relationship for us because we want people to read and continue to expand their horizons,” said Peregrin, adding that book discussion groups are also an ideal way to share ideas and opinions with others.
Melissa Volker
“As a young reader I loved murder mysteries and historical romances,” said Peregrin. “About 15 years ago I attended a book discussion group which took me out of my comfort level. What I found was I also enjoyed different genres and books on the best sellers list.”
Russell Atwood
Martin noted she had a similar experience.
“I read horror and mystery stories when I was younger,” said Martin. “When I joined a book club, I read books out of my comfort zone. I am now open when someone says ‘I love that book’ to read it.”
“Books can also change the way you think,” said Peregrin. “Authors have taught me to look at life decisions in more than one way.”
Martin added that she “likes” having her mind changed after a book discussion because of hearing a different point of view.
On Oct. 6, a wide range of views will be on display as local authors Katherine Anderson, Russell Atwood, Martin Henley, Patricia Peters Martin, Ph.D., and Helene DeMontreux Houston, M.S., APRN, Lori Szepelak, Robert W. Thompson, and Melissa Volker participate in the 4 to 7 p.m. event. Authors will also sign copies of their books for sale.
Katherine Anderson
Anderson, author of “Hospital Hill,” and the forthcoming “Shadows in the Ward,” is a teacher, writer and photographer. Her lecture series on asylums takes her all over New England and she just wrote her first asylum-related novel. She is also the author of a YA series about urban exploration.
Atwood, a native of Westfield who has returned after living in New York City for many years, served as the managing editor of Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, as well as an editor at A&E Monthly magazine. His first mystery short story (the introduction of private investigator Payton Sherwood) in “Ellery Queen: East of A,” was published in 1996. The namesake of that story propelled Atwood’s career as a novelist. His books for sale will include “Losers Live Longer,” and “East of A.”
Henley, author of “Scoundrels Who Made America Great,” shares his insight and understanding of how personal character and momentous events can produce a scoundrel and a hero in one and the same person. His evidence includes profiles on Benedict Arnold, “America’s most notorious traitor,” John Brown, “the violent abolitionist,” Anne Hutchinson, “the Puritan ‘Jezebel,’” and Clarence Gideon, “four-time felon, who challenged the Supreme Court from his prison cell.”
Patricia Peters Martin, Ph.D.
Martin and Houston, co-authors of “The Other Couch: Discovering Women’s Wisdom in Therapy,” explores the lives of 36 spirited women who struggle and overcome their challenges with courage, resilience, and commitment. The authors focus on the wisdom patients bring to their therapists as they introduce women diagnosed with bi-polar disorder, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety disorder, multiple personality disorder, chronic suicidal ideation, and substance abuse.
Helene DeMontreux Houston, M.S., APRN
Szepelak, author of “An Angel on My Shoulder,” and “Floors of the Forest,” details in her books how our loved ones who have passed and the angels that surround us can come through to us in our photographs. Szepelak has been a reporter for more than 30 years in Western Massachusetts for daily and weekly newspapers.
Thompson, a retired history teacher and elementary school principal, is an author of books for young readers and adults. His books include “The Crystal Butterfly,” “Daydreaming, A Baseball Story,” and “Mrs. Mouse’s Christmas.” His forthcoming book is “Waddle’s Big Adventure” and he is working on an adult novel which he hopes to complete soon.
Volker, a fiction writer best known for “Delilah of Sunhats and Swans,” and “Still,” spent years coordinating arts-in-education theater productions and workshops for schools. After leaving behind New
Lori Szepelak
York City for Boston and eventually settling with her family in Western Massachusetts, Volker is a professed “nerd/geek” who enjoys spending time writing short stories, fan fiction, novellas and essays.
For more information on the event, visit the Athenaeum’s website, www.westath.org, or Blue Umbrella Books at www.blueumbrellabooks.com.
Martin also encourages local residents to stop in to her shop at 2 Main St. to see the latest books (new and pre-owned) on sale from local authors, as well as the best sellers. Martin also noted that upcoming events at her shop include an author event with Susan Buffum on Oct. 8 at 11 a.m., who will read from one of her stories, “Blackstone’s Menagerie,” a 2014 award winner in a Halloween story contest. Additionally, local mystery author Glen Ebisch will present a lecture titled “Two Passions: Combining Mystery and Romance” on Oct. 15 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For a complete list of weekly author events and special book discussion groups, visit Blue Umbrella Books on Facebook or Martin’s website.
