LONG BEACH — One of the largest gatherings of regional authors in recent times is planned Oct. 5. The all-day event at the Peninsula Church Center at 5000 N Place in Seaview has been organized by author Jan Bono. Admission is free; writers will have their books available.

Bono wrote humor columns for the Chinook Observer newspaper in Long Beach while working as a teacher in the Ilwaco schools. On retirement, her first books were accumulated columns, her personal weight-loss journey, and a series of six cosy coastal mysteries before she switched genres and wrote a more serious novel about a serial killer.

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Pacific Northwest Authors Book Fair

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5

Peninsula Church Center, 5000 N Place, Seaview, Wash.

Karl Marlantes will lead a Q&A session at noon

Admission: Free

“The second annual Pacific Northwest Authors Book Fair represents over 18 genres, and I’m confident everyone who loves to read will find a variety of books they’ll enjoy at this event,” she said.

She has invited multiple authors from Long Beach and Clatsop County, as well as writers from outside the area. The main speaker will be Karl Marlantes, author of works including “Deep River” and “Cold Victory.”

“Karl Marlantes, most known in Pacific County as the author of ‘Deep River,’ is a delightful and charming man who knows how to captivate his audiences. I’m delighted that he will be doing some anecdotal Q&A at noon in the PCC sanctuary,” Bono said.

Robert Michael Pyle of Wahkiakum County, whose topics range from poetry to scientific publications on butterflies, will appear. From Clatsop County, Jennifer Nightingale (young adult, poetry), Jim Hallaux (Astoria novels) and Anita Schacher (inspirational/memoirs) are invited.

Long Beach Peninsula authors include David Campiche (photography, poetry), Mandy Schimelpfenig (historical fantasy), Jim Tweedie (fiction, poetry), Peter Adams Young (historical fiction), Greg Zschomler (inspirational, young readers), Ferrell Hornsby (historical fiction, children’s stories) and Steffi Thomas (fantasy). Greg and Judy Gorham, who split time between Ocean Park and Vancouver, Wash., will offer an autobiography, poetry and short stories. Tami Whitmore of Bickleton in Eastern Washington, whose works include children’s titles and books about the Long Beach coast, will travel more than 250 miles — the farthest — to attend.

Regional writers, representing poets, writers of historical fiction, thrillers and young readers’ stories, include Tamelia Aday of St. Helens, S.M. Stryker of Gervais, Mary Jane Nordgren of Forest Grove, and Elisa Carlsen, Sherri Levine and Jerry Sutherland of Portland, plus Washington writers Tiffany Dickinson and Dawn Shipman of Longview, Jordan Fitch of Washougal and Cheryl Landes of Camas.

Bono said she enjoyed organizing last year’s event — and bought 12 books from 12 authors.

“This is a great opportunity for the community to meet authors from all over the Pacific Northwest. You might even find a new favorite author here,” she said. “In only its second year, this book fair has already become a growing family of authors who gather to spend social and networking time together, and hopefully sell some books.”