Authors' Showcase

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University of Wisconsin Press

Alison Townsend

If it seems confusing to call a book-related event action-packed, consider this: readings, book signings and conversation with more than 25 regional writers, all packed into two hours in one location. That’s what’s taking place at the Waunakee Library Authors' Showcase, with announced participants including mystery authors such as Nick Chiarkas and Jeff Nania, poet and essayist Alison Townsend, novelist and science writer Lucy Sanna, sportswriter/biographer Rob Zaleski, and many others. Find the full list below and updates at waunakeepubliclibrary.org.

media release: Over twenty best-selling and award-winning authors from the area will meet & greet their fans, signing books and holding readings. Every genre will be represented, from children’s books to romance, mysteries, thrillers, fantasy and science fiction. An open mic will be part of the event, along with library tours and a scavenger hunt in the library. Free refreshments will also be provided. Participants include:

Lucy Sanna’s debut novel, THE CHERRY HARVEST, won the following recognition: Wisconsin State Journal’s Summer Book Club Pick and the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association - Book Club Pick.

Christine DeSmet's First-Degree Fudge (Fudge Shop Mystery Series) earned a review in the Washington Post when it debuted and became a bestseller for Barnes & Noble. September is the novel's 10^th anniversary of its debut! 

Jerry McGinley’s novel A DRIFTLESS MURDER won the 2023 Midwest Book Award for Fiction/Mystery (MIPA).

Nicholas Chiarkas’s novels Weepers and Nunzio’s Way

Awards for Weepers (Published in 2015):

Firebird Grand Prize Best Book Award (2022)

Best Mystery Novel for 2017, the John E Weaver Excellent Reads Award by Earthshine.

Best Novel of 2016 by the Public Safety Writers Association (PSWA).

Best Book Award by Midwest Independent Publishers Association (MIPA).

Best Young Adult Novel for 2016 by Bookvana.

Best Crossover (Mystery & Young Adult) Best Books Award for 2017

Best Young Adult Coming-of-Age by Readers’ Favorite for 2018

Awards for Nunzio’s Way (Published in 2022):

Firebird: Best Thriller, Best Crime Fiction, Best Suspense Fiction, and Best Cover Design (2022)

Alison Townsend’s The Green Hour: A Natural History of Home, was a finalist for the 2023 PEN America Award in the Art of the Essay and a finalist for the 2023 Wisconsin Writers Blei/Derleth Nonfiction Award.

Jeff Nania’s Figure Eight won first place in the Fiction Mystery/Thriller category of the 2020 Midwest Book Awards.

Spider Lake: First Place, Mystery, 25th annual Independent Publisher Book Awards; First Place, Cover Design, 31st annual Midwest Book Awards;  Finalist, Next Generation Indie Book Awards

Bough Cutter won first place in the Great Lakes Best Regional Fiction category of the 2022 Independent Publisher Book Awards.

Musky Run won first place in the Great Lakes Best Regional Fiction category of the 2023 Independent Publisher Book Awards.

The Northern Lakes Mystery series (books 1-3) was named a finalist (best series) Next Generation Indie Book Awards

AND ALSO scheduled to appear:

Sue Berg

Rose Bingham

Christa Bruhn

John Galligan

Richard Goodkin

Shay Kelley

James Malone

George Morrison

Cayce Osborne

Rachelle Kampen Scalzo

Scott Seymour

Larry F Sommers

David Steingass

Danielle St Louis

Bill Stokes

Gay Strandemo

Gina Sturino

Peggy Joque WIlliams

Mary Wimmer

Rob Zaleski