Forster’s Book Garden hosting author, artisan and publisher showcase on April 29

April 13, 2023 · 0 Comments

Local bookstore celebrates 25th anniversary this month

By Zachary Roman

Avid readers, aspiring authors, and art enthusiasts might want to check out Forster’s Book Garden soon.

On April 29, Forster’s is hosting an author, artisan and publisher showcase to celebrate Canadian independent bookstore day — and the store’s 25th anniversary.

The showcase will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. and will feature refreshments, contests, and draws. Forster’s regulars can also collect double points all day at the store.

Donna Forster has arranged for a wide variety of local talent to be at the store on April 29.

“They’re all people who don’t have a big sales force behind them because they’re not from a big company,” said Forster. “This is a way of showcasing them.”

One of the people who will be there is Kathleen Davies, who Forster said is a painter who’s done many beautiful illustrations of the animals that have come into her back garden. Then, Forster said she decided to compile them all and make them into “a lovely little picture book.”

Caledon authors Lisa Oatway, who writes historical fiction, and Robyn Gram-Barclay, who writes and illustrates children’s books, will be at the event. Readers may remember the Citizen’s recent profiles of these authors after they each gave author talks for the Caledon Public Library.

David Stover, who runs his own publishing company called Rock’s Mills Press, will also be at the event. Forster said she often gets people in the store who are writing their own books and want to know what the next step is. Stover will be answering questions about book publishing, and Forster said he’s a great person to ask because he’s a small independent publisher.

Keirstin Gadjadar makes knit goods like coffee cozies and book covers, the latter of which Forster’s Book Garden completely sold out of at Christmastime. She’s an example of one of the artisans who will be at the celebration.

Other people who will be there include John Steckley and Glenn Carley, who Forster said each have eclectic collections of work; Angel Adams, who writes romance and paranormal romance; Astrid Peters, who wrote a biography about her mother who came from the Netherlands and started Humber Nurseries; Terence Young, who wrote a well-researched book about the dangers of prescription drugs; Carol Good, who is a dedicated poet; Dallia Rahm, who writes mystery; J.P. Kemp, who writes fantasy; and Terry Kimbell, who makes metal and wood art.

Forster is getting excited for the event and hopes to see a great turnout of people coming to chat with all the local talent in attendance. She said she’s had some items and books donated by publishers to give away as prizes.

The Canadian Independent Booksellers Association is hosting a contest for Canadian independent bookstore day. For every book purchased at a local bookstore on April 29, one entry into a raffle for a gift certificate to an independent bookstore is gained.

Buyers must keep their receipts and visit cibabooks.ca to enter the contest. There are three gift certificate prizes in amounts of $1,000, $500, and $250 up for grabs.

Important to note is that books by Canadian authors get buyers two entries instead of one.