Baltimore Area Fiction Writers to be Featuredin First MWA Authors Showcase August 18, 2007

Baltimore book lovers will have a unique opportunity to meet six up-and-coming local fiction authors and hear them read from their recent works at the premiere Baltimore Authors Showcase, which will take place Saturday, August 18, from 1:30-4:30 at the historic Canton Branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library.

Co-sponsored by the Baltimore Chapter of the Maryland Writers’ Association (MWAB) and the Pratt with the support of the CityLit Project, Write Here, Write Now, and the Friends of the Canton Library, the Baltimore Authors Showcase is the first in a series highlighting Baltimore’s contemporary literary talent as represented by MWA members. The featured authors are:

Eric D. Goodman, award-winning author of the novel-in-short-stories TRACKS, and featured in The Washington Post, On Stage Magazine, Travel Insights, Coloquio, The Baltimore Review, and The Neck of My Guitar. Eric is a full-time writer and editor who recently received an honorable mention in The Baltimore Review’s annual fiction competition and has stories forthcoming in To Be Read Aloud, Writer’s Weekly, and the Write Here, Write Now Anthology. He’s read his fiction at the Baltimore Book Festival, the Patterson Theater, and XandO. Eric invites readers to visit his novel’s website at www.train-tracks.blogspot.com and his blog for writers and readers at www.writeful.blogspot.com.

Angela Render, author of the historical novel Forged By Lightning: A Novel of Hannibal and Scipio, and featured in Smithsonian Magazine Online and Writers Journal. With passion for both history and martial arts, Angela likes to “cut to the point” by using period reproduction weapons when speaking about her novel, which she describes as the story of “two larger than life generals, a distressing damsel, and the tragic love story that inspired Shakespeare.” With an emphasis on ancient civilizations, she received her Bachelor of Arts in History from George Mason University. Her continuing studies have included the history of costume, weapons, religion and warfare. You can find out more about Angela and her book at www.hannibalofcarthage.org.

Mathew Lee Gill, author of the award-winning suspense novel leaving the canoe club. The San Diego native and long-time Hawaii resident drew on his experience traveling around the world for fifteen years in the U.S. Navy when writing his novel. You may have seen Mathew at one of his many appearances at book clubs, conferences, and signings in the area, where he is a popular speaker and presenter. Learn more about Mathew's writing life, read sample chapters of his novel, and read his ongoing writing blog on his web site, www.mathewleegill.com.

Lalita Noronha, award-winning author of a short story collection, Where Monsoons Cry, a fiction editor at The Baltimore Review, and featured in The Baltimore Sun, Catholic Digest, and The Christian Science Monitor, among others. Born in India, Lalita earned her Ph.D. in Microbiology and is research scientist, writer, poet and teacher at St. Paul's School for Girls. She has received awards from the Maryland State Arts Council, City Paper, and National League of American Pen Women. When she speaks about Where Monsoons Cry, Lalita usually wears a sari to illustrate how her stories “blend elements of Indian traditions and American culture. Braided together, the stories read like a novel.” You can find out more at Lalita’s website, www.lalitanoronha.com.

Paul Lagasse, award-winning author of the young-adult historical novel Seeing Through Clouds: the Story of an Airship Apprentice. Paul is a full-time freelance writer whose work appears regularly in a wide range of periodicals and on the Web. When he’s not working on his next novel, he provides technical writing and editing services to private, non-profit, and government clients. He usually brings Zeppelin ephemera like posters and toys to spice up his presentations about his novel, which provides a unique perspective on an important historical period. There’s more about the book at www.seeingthroughclouds.com.

Caryn Coyle, author of fiction featured in the online literary quarterly JMWW. Caryn has an English degree from Notre Dame College as well as a masters degree in liberal arts from the Johns Hopkins University. After a busy and successful career writing speeches, press releases, newsletters, and advertising copy, Caryn recently returned to writing fiction and is celebrating the publication of her first stories.

In addition to reading from their new and recent work, the six authors will be selling and signing copies of their books, chatting with book lovers, and answering questions about the writing life. The MWA Baltimore Authors Showcase is a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with tomorrow’s literary stars.

Food and drink will be provided by the Friends of the Canton Library, featuring classic Canton recipes from the popular Canton Cooks cookbook, which will also be for sale. Proceeds from sales of the cookbook will be used to support library programs such as the Baltimore Authors Showcase.

Official Website: http://www.mwabaltimore.org