Writers like John Grisham (Theodore Boone series) and Dennis Lehane (Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro series) help focus attention on the many contributions made by the nation's libraries by their participation in the annual meetings of the American Library Association. Both Grisham and Lehane are scheduled to speak tomorrow, June 28, at ALA's 2010 conference.
These two mystery writers are not alone in their involvement in ALA's annual events, however. The ALA's Flickr photostream contains photos of four mystery writers who participated in last year's conference, which was held in Chicago, Ill. from July 9-15, 2009. Michael Connelly (Harry Bosch series, Mickey Haller series, Jack McEvoy series), Lisa Scottoline (Rosato and Associates series), James Ellroy (Lloyd Hopkins series, L.A. Quartet series, Underworld U.S.A. series) and Marcus Sakey are all included in the photo pool.
The ALA photos of each of these authors appear in the attached slideshow and are used with ALA's permission. A portion of Michael Connelly's speech at the 2009 convention can be found on YouTube. Lisa Scottoline also appeared in a YouTube video as she signed copies of her books in the ALA exhibits area.
James Ellroy to host Investigation Discovery’s ‘LA: City of Demons’
ALA conference speaker John Grisham to be 2011 Honorary Chair of National Library Week
Dennis Lehane credits libraries with his becoming a writer in ALA conference speech
Crime fiction conferences widespread during Summer 2010
Investigation Discovery's 'Hardcover Mysteries' to premier on October 11, 2010
10th National Book Festival scheduled for September 25, 2010
Lisa Scottoline to appear with Nora Roberts at Fall 2010 TTP book signing
Kathy Reichs to participate in 2011 ALA Midwinter’s Sunrise Speakers Series
Comments
Really is good that authors of this high calibre recognise and support the importance of libraries to the reading public. (And that libraries are the one area where too severe cutbacks are a false economy). For many of us, a library display or highlight of a particular author, or a serendipitous choice picked from the shelf, propels us into the bookshops, as we become lifelong fans of particular series and writers.
Good points, Jenna. People don't always consider the role of libraries in stimulating book sales.
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