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Read Local Eat Local

Read Local Eat Local

Read Local Eat Local

Read Local Eat Local

Read Local Eat Local is an author showcase event hosted by Peters Township Public Library and generously funded by The Peters Township Library Foundation. Since its inception in 2018, Read Local Eat Local has featured local writers, illustrators, and food trucks in a unique festival celebrating authors.

Scroll down to find information about past events and authors. Read Local Eat Local will return on Saturday, September 6, 2025!

Applications Closed!

 

Applications are now CLOSED for 2025's Read Local / Eat Local author showcase. We will take the month of June to review applications and communicate with the authors. If you have any questions, please contact Syd at skrawiec@pt-library.org

Past Read Local Eat Local Events

RLEL 2022: Thank You!

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On Saturday, August 6, over 300 community members joined us at PTPL to meet and greet local authors. Visitors also had the opportunity to visit local food trucks and talk with library staff. This was the 3rd year the library hosted Read Local/Eat Local (2018, 2019, 2022), and visitors received entries to an “All Things Local” raffle basket for every author they visited. Thank you to The Foundation, staff, volunteers, and authors who made this event a success! To see a full list of the authors and food trucks, please visit our previous post about the event.

 

The event started with JD Barker at 10 am. JD spoke about his transition from being an Indie author to co-writing books with James Patterson.

Visitors were greeted by library staff who were giving out canvas bags and raffle cards for visiting authors.

The weather cooperated but all authors and their books were protected under the event tents that The PT Library Foundation sponsored for the event.

Congrats to our “All Things Local” raffle winner who visited every author at the event. Over 300 people attended the event.

We look forward to our next RLEL!

If you are a local author and are interested in participating in future events, please complete this short form, and we can contact you when the application process begins again!

Read Local/Eat Local returns to PT Library

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The Peters Township Public Library will host 22 local authors at its 3rd Read Local/Eat Local in a new format for 2022. On Saturday, August 6, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the public is invited to visit the library for an entirely outdoor event in the library parking lot. The library encourages the community to read books by Pennsylvania authors representing all genres for all age groups. No registration is required to attend.

The twenty-two authors featured will include writers of several formats, including short stories, fiction, nonfiction, and children’s picture books. Authors participating include:

Robin Acton
Sarah Addis
Barbara Brutt
Rossilynne Culgan
Annette Dashofy
Abigail Drake
Fifth Avenue Writers
Kit Frick
Lisa Grazan
Anna Harsh
J.V. Hilliard Author Cancelled
Annette Hostoffer
Carole Lynn Jones
Thomas Mainwaring
Nancy McCabe 
Liz Milliron
Chris Posti
Linda Rettstatt
Chris Rodell
Nellie Steele
Cori Wamsley
Thomas White

J.D. Barker

Kicking off the event at 10:00 a.m. will be a talk by J.D. Barker. He is the New York Times and international best-selling author of numerous novels, including Dracul and The Fourth Monkey. His latest with James Patterson, Death of the Black Widow, was released earlier this spring. His books have been translated into two dozen languages, sold in more than 150 countries, and optioned for film and television. Barker will sign books after his talk, with select titles available for purchase through Riverstone Books. No registration is required to attend.

Plan to Eat Local while at this free event or passing through the area. Three food trucks – Johnny’s Seafood Shack, Wooden Peel Pizza, and Millie’s Homemade – will be in the library parking lot with refreshments for sale from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Concluding the event at 1:15 p.m., a representative from Riverstone Books will offer tips to current and aspiring authors. Hear ideas on how to market your books and work with an independent bookseller. You must register to attend this presentation. Register at ptlib.org/riverstone.

For more information about Read Local/Eat Local, call the library at 724.941.9430 ext. 3260 or email ptlib@pt-library.org.

 

Are you interested in being a future Read Local/Eat Local author? Complete this short form to share your interest with the event organizers for next time!

Library prepares for Read Local/Eat Local event

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Peters Township Public Library will gather over 20 local authors to shine and share their talents at a new event called Read Local/Eat Local on Saturday, June 23 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The library is encouraging the community to read books by authors from the southwestern Pennsylvania area that represent all genres for all age groups. The library plans to offer storytimes and activities for children at this family-friendly event. No registration is needed to attend.

“The library is frequently contacted by local authors when they have a new book to share,” explained Sue Miller, Assistant Library Director. “And that is how we discovered so much talent right in our backyard. With the Read Local event, we have an opportunity to showcase these authors to the community. They offer everything from children’s books, fiction for young adults, romance, fantasy, mystery, science fiction, history, and self-help. I think the event will offer something for just about everyone, including some tasty food available for purchase.”

Authors to date that will be available for two hours of conversation, book readings, book sales and signings include:

Plan to Eat Local while at this free event or passing through the area as three food trucks will be in the library parking lot with refreshments for sale that afternoon. Trucks on-site will include Hott Dawgz, Revival Chili, and Kona Ice.

Kicking off Read Local/Eat Local will be a pre-event from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. with bestselling author J.D. Barker who will discuss Making the Leap from Indie to Traditional Publishing. Barker successfully published his debut novel as an indie and sold enough copies to land on the radar of the traditional publishers in a big way including seven-figure advances, two feature films, and a television program. He’ll open his toolbox and explain exactly what he did to make it happen. All are welcome to attend this session, especially any aspiring author or seasoned veteran trying to find their place in today’s publishing world. J.D. Barker is an international bestselling American author whose work has been broadly described as suspense thrillers, often incorporating elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural. Register online to attend his talk.

Concluding the afternoon will be Susan Hans O’Connor from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. with her talk Authors and Independent Bookstores: Working Together for Mutual Success. Independent bookstores are a vital piece of the book publishing puzzle.  Partnering with local stores can be one of the most effective tools authors can use to promote their books.  O’Connor will share her insights from the perspective of both a current bookstore owner as well as a former book editor.  Susan Hans O’Connor has been the owner of the Penguin Bookshop since 2014.  She began her publishing career at Viking Penguin where she worked as an editor for over a decade. Register online to attend her talk.