Local authors lined up booth by booth on the first and second floor of the College of the Canyons Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center on Saturday for the inaugural Santa Clarita Valley Book Festival.
The free one-day event was a “beacon of inclusivity with its unique theme and purpose: Bringing the family and community back to reading,” according to the event program. Local seasoned and new authors gathered to demonstrate their traditional and self-published books for the community to learn about and even purchase. According to the program, authors Paula Golden, Laura Holton and Willa Robinson believed that Santa Clarita provided a great literary space to foster “a stronger sense of community .
.. [where] The SCV Book Festival strives to give authors and creative individuals a platform to share literary and artistic works that inspire society.
” COC Dean of Humanities Andy McCutcheon was among the speakers, and reflected on his experiences as a kid who wasn’t an avid reader. “I always liked the idea of reading more than I actually liked doing it ..
. I remember reading as a kid with note cards, you know, trying to stay on each line so that my eyes wouldn’t drift all over the page,” McCutcheon said. “A friendly high school counselor or community member or artist who takes time to connect with somebody has an impact.
Having this [event] is a testament to the creative community we have in Santa Clarita.” Keynote speaker Tracy Taris gave her presentation, �.
