In addition to the authors the Book Fair makes tables available to non profit groups like this one sponsored by Friends of Kentucky Libraries

There were lines to purchase and exit the fair - a very good sign for the authors that attended.

One Opinion
By Kathy Cummings

Today publishing has changed to printing. Publishing used to be limited to established publishing firms. Publishing was not only the physical printing of the book but the distribution and promotion of the book. Authors would work on a manuscript for months or even years and then submit it to a publisher. If the publisher did not think the manuscript would sell they simply rejected the submission. Even famous authors would garner their share of rejection letters. When a book was finally accepted for publication the process could still be a slow one.

But all that has changed. Electronic media, online publishing outlets, and online booksellers like Amazon and Barnes and Noble have changed the landscape. With the promotion end of publishing no longer the focus anyone can have a book printed. And once printed it can be submitted to online booksellers and promoted through the internet. The cost of printing a book has also come way down. Printing in smaller quantities is now more cost effective then ever. Having a large publishing firm sink money into printing a large quantity of hard bound books was the norm throughout the 20th century. Now in the 21st century the landscape has changed.

What did that mean at the book fair? I immediately noticed the number of books authors had on their tables. The new face of publishing allows authors to write multiple books and publish often or in a series. The children’s authors especially had many, many different books on their table. Other authors too were selling and signing multiple titles. This style also lends itself well to the mystery genre.

So what does it mean to the reader? There are a lot more books hitting the markets each year. Not all of them are good since there is no large firm critiquing them. But the subjects are far more varied. More people have a voice. More information is out there. And if like us - your book shelves are bulging you can always switch to digital editions

But the Kentucky Bookfair was a positive experience. It shows that in this digital, video, gaming world people still read. They like to hold a book in their hands. There is nothing like cracking the spine on a brand new book and being transported to another place or another time. It’s wonderful to know you can still lose yourself and your daily life in someone else’s world.

So good or bad, publishing has changed. But for my money it’s a wonderful change. Give me books, lots and lots and lots of books. Let me read them all and reject the ones I don’t like and learn from the excellent ones coming on the market and place them with pride in the best place on the shelves where i can refer back to them again and again.

Charles Hayes was selling many of his books.Ambush at the Blue Licks,Boonesborough Attack, The Bloody Sevens, The Longhunter

My Blessed Wretched Life - Rebecca Boone's Story by Author Sue Kelly Ballard

Richard Taylor author, teacher, and a former Kentucky poet laureate, Taylor had many of his works, with titles featuring poetry, fiction and non-fiction.

Russell Hatter, historian was also at the table with Gene Burch and Richard Taylor. Burch and Hatter had their books Embattled Capital, Frankfort, KY in the Civil War, Frankfort Cemetery, The Westminister Abbey, Paul Sawyier Kentucky Artist, and Postcards from Historic Frankfort Ky.

Ed Ford, debuted his Civil War Novel The Plot while James Alexander Thom and author Brad Jones Black Walls Turn Gray a Marine veteran’s novel about war and healing, were in deep discussion behind him.

Always an interesting character is Dr. Lynwood Montell. His books are varied in subject but all deal with Kentucky. This year he was promoting Tales from Kentucky Nurses, Tales from Kentucky One-Room School Teachers, Tales from Kentucky Sheriffs and Tales of Kentucky Ghost.

Shelby County’s own Brigadier General Ronald von Stokum (Ret.) talked to folks about his latest book British Sergeant Reginal Bereham & the Battle of the Somme. Also on his table were Coming to Kentucky: Heaven is a Kentucky of a place, Remembrances of World Wars, Squire Boone and Nicholas Meriwether: Kentucky Pioneers. The General is still writing at the age of 98.

I had a chance to speak one on one with James Alexander Thom. Long one of my favorite historic authors, I finally got an answer to my questions about historical fiction. “You are considered an author of historical fiction, I asked him, “and yet the history in your books is always spot on. What kind of author do you consider yourself?” “The minute I put words in a historical characters mouth, said Thom, “ my work becomes historical fiction. There is no way to have dialog in a book and not have it considered historical fiction. But in my own mind - I am first and foremost an historian.”

It was the perfect answer for someone who has devoured his books over the years. His latest book Fire in the Water follows Padraic Quinn in a Civil War era story. He first introduced “Paddy” Quinn in The Saint Patrick’s Brigade a story placed in the Mexican American War. And according to Thom he likes this character so much he is considering continuing his story in another book.

Melissa A. McCeuen and Thomas H. Appleton, Jr. edited the book Kentucky Women: Their Lives and Times. It is a series of essays about 17 women, famous or should be, who contributed significantly to Kentucky’s history and development.

Delighted to see that not all of the buyers and browsers were adults. Hats off to the parents who brought interested children and install a love of reading at an early age.