When Altovise Ferguson was going through her battle with cancer 13 years ago, it didn’t cross her mind to keep a diary of her experience.
But years later, she decided to pick up pencil and paper to write down her thoughts in the hope it would help others. This vision brought the Gary hairdresser to the recent, 4th Annual Local Author Fair at the Hammond Public library to promote, “Live to Win, My Victory Over Cancer.”
“Journaling began to be therapeutic for me,” said Ferguson, who currently is in remission. “My book is one way to connect with others.”
More than two dozen authors set up colorful displays in the Community Room to showcase their books to the public.
Rosemary Gard of Crown Point has written five books. Each is a stand-alone story, and the author described them as “fictionalized facts.”
Each book has the name “Destiny” in the title for a specific reason.
“I’ve been writing since I was 12 years old. My mom wanted me to sew, but my dad bought me a typewriter,” Gard said. “So, I felt destined to write these books.”
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During the event, visitors were given an Author Passport, which included the opportunity to be entered a drawing for Railcat baseball tickets. The passport had to be initialed by all the authors present at the Fair.
Rusty the Railcat also stopped by during the afternoon.
“This (passport) is a great incentive for us to stop by each table,” said Francine Vargas of Hammond, as her son gravitated toward the mascot to have his picture taken. “I like the idea of finding out why the person wrote their book, and seeing them face-to-face gives the chance to do that. And I always like to win free tickets.”
Avid reader Harrold King of Highland spent quite a bit of time at the Fair, stopping to talk at length with the authors.
“I’m always looking for something new to read,” he said, as his passport was stamped at one of the tables. “I had no idea we had some much journalistic talent right here in northwest Indiana. It’s refreshing.”
In addition to Ferguson and Gard, 25 other local authors displayed their books at this year’s Fair.
Those returning from last year were James Dworkin, Yusuf Ali El, Paula Evans, Sandra Ann Falcetta, Gail Galvan, Linda Hettman, Takesha Howard, Chad Hunter, Melava King, Tony Lindsay, Don S. McClure, John Mitchell, and Dennis Sampson
Authors who were new to the fair included Laura Eckroat, Dwight Deramus, John Hmurovic, Beverly Hoover, Imani Josey, Naleighna Kai, Sarah Layden, Alan McPherson, Sandra Mosley, Robert J. Nelson, Tavetta Patterson, Georgette Rias-Baker, and Veronica Rose Elvis Slaughter.
The Hammond Public Library offers classes, programs and presentations, as well as special events throughout the year.
For more information, call (219) 931-5100.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.