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Main library hosts literary evening for best selling author
YOUNGSTOWN
Best-selling author Louise Penny was the author of honor at the Literary Society’s 12th event at the Main Library on Saturday evening.
Both Penny and the Literary Society are celebrating 10 years of thriving in the world of literature. Penny’s first novel, “Still Life,” was published in 2005, the same year the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County’s Literary Society started.
The Canadian author’s appearance at the event is part of her book tour with her latest novel, “The Nature of the Beast,” released last week. Penny said the Literary Society’s events are well known in the literary community.
“I couldn’t wait to get here,” she said.
The author already has made stops in Vancouver, San Francisco and Pittsburgh. Her next stop will be in Washington, D.C.
“We are so glad to be doing this in downtown Youngstown,” said Deborah Liptak, the library’s development director.
Penny’s mystery novels follow the adventures of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache in Canada’s Quebec province. Between the 10 installments to date, Penny has won or been in contention for nearly every major prize awarded in the mystery genre, including five Agatha Awards, four Anthony Awards, two Barry Awards, two Macavity Awards and an Edgar Award. She also executive-produced the 2013 film adaptation of “Still Life.”
Penny said she was surprised at how her novels have found a readership over the past decade.
Born in Toronto in 1958, she worked as journalist and radio host for the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. where she covered hard news and current affairs.
She lives south of Montreal, close to the American border, with her husband, Michael, and a golden retriever named Bishop.
“We all feel a personal connection to her,” said Phyllis Barolsky, who traveled from her home in Florida to attend the event.
The event also featured actors who were portraying characters from Penny’s novels. One of them, Denise Sculli, portrayed Ruth Zardo, a poet from the fictional village of Three Pines, where the novels take place. Throughout the evening, Sculli yelled and made several scenes with the attendants.
“They’re wonderful,” Penny said.
About a hundred people attended the event and received a signed copy of one of Penny’s novels. Proceeds from the event will be used to create a fund to bring in more renowned authors, Liptak said.
“We wanted to inspire readers and inspire writers,” she said.