OCEAN PARK — Maine Authors for Lewiston, a group of more than 75 Maine authors, have joined together to support the victims of the recent tragedy in Lewiston. The group has organized a series of 10 book sales and signings, all free and open to the public so that people can purchase books and meet the authors. The first event was Nov. 25  at the Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick.

More than 20 Maine authors appeared. There were fiction writers, children’s book authors, non-fiction writers, and poets among the participants.

This is a wonderful opportunity for Maine book lovers to support local authors, and, most importantly, to help our fellow Mainers as they begin to heal and recover.

All of the participating authors have agreed to donate all, or most, of their proceeds from these events to help the healing and recovery efforts in Lewiston. All are volunteering because they care. There is a different author roster for each venue.

Subsequent events are scheduled as follows:
Ellsworth Public Library – Tuesday, November 28, 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Lewis T. Graves Memorial Public Library (Kennebunkport) – Tuesday, November 28, 2:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Baxter Memorial Library (Gorham) – Thursday, November 30, 4 – 7 p.m.
Belfast Free Library (Belfast) – Saturday, December 2, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Patten Free Library (Bath) – Wednesday, December 6, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
McArthur Public Library (Biddeford) – Thursday, December 7, 4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Auburn Public Library – Saturday, December 9, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Camden Public Library – Thursday, December 14, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Lewiston Public Library – Saturday, December 16, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

The libraries have generously donated space to the cause as they, too, support those impacted by the senseless tragedy. The Maine writing community is small, but vibrant, part of Maine culture. Some writers have been personally impacted by the events in Lewiston, others simply care deeply about Maine and their fellow Mainers. Most do much of their writing in and about Maine. All want to help.

Maine Authors for Lewiston was conceived and is being organized by David Florig, a member of the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance, author of The Stones of Ailsa Craig, and the past president of the Pine Tree Curling Club in Portland.