Sunday's Local Author Showcase at Missouri River Regional Library was a chance for the public to get better acquainted with area authors and their works.
It was also a chance for the the nearly dozen authors to bond with each other over their stories, as well as writing and marketing techniques.
"Being here is kind of inspiring. Just to see other people and their work, it kind of reminds you that there's a community of writers" who have their own "trials and tribulations and successes," said Adam Veile, who has written two children's books, "Greedy Jack Wallace" and "Terrible Tom and Mabel."
Both books are under under "The Dreamcatcher Adventures" series.
"He might not have the muscles, the mustache, or even the cool hat, but seventh-grader Blake Monroe has the heart of a cowboy," according to the "Greedy Jack Wallace" description. "He just needs the chance to prove himself. So when the ghost of his rowdy Wild-West ancestor needs his help, Blake's ready to ride."
Veile, who works full time in marketing/public relations at Communique, said it's important for self-published authors to "have multiple channels of marketing."
He's marketed his books through schools, local book signings and online, among other things.
"If you put all your marketing eggs in one basket, you're going to get in trouble," he advised.
Raz Wickham was there promoting his "Edge of Beyond" science fiction books, accompanied with eye-popping art from Jackie Barrows, a Columbia graphic designer/illustrator who also attended the event.
"The Edge of Beyond: Rise of the Fallen (Vol. 1)" has garnered five 5-star reviews on Amazon.com. Its description says: "In a future where society has evolved, humans are enslaved under the reign of two supreme races to mine the world's crystals. A young warrior named Victor sets out on a quest to escape his captivity, whilst being thrust into a fight for survival and acceptance. By uniting with Earth's Champions, together they will face a universal threat that enshadows his freedom."
Michele Spry, also from Columbia, was there with her most recent book, "A Trip to Remember."
It's a fictional account based on real-life events of Ferrill A. Purdy, a World War II veteran who she met when he came into Midway Electric, owned by her and her husband, to get his wife's broken lamp fixed.
She found out that Purdy was a 94-year-old WWII vet who had his plane shot down twice. He had never told his story before. Spry based her book on him, and coordinated a reunion with him and his former wingman, who saved his life during the war. The two met in Columbia earlier this year after having not seen each other for 72 years.
Spry said the event was a good chance to chat with other area authors.
"It's good to compare notes with other authors to find things that work, and things that don't," Spry said.