Read Local San Diego Launches Literary Non-Profit to Connect Local Authors with Readers

Kickoff Event to Be Held November 14 at Horton Plaza
SAN DIEGO--(Business Wire)--
Read Local San Diego`s premiere event will be held November 14 at Horton Plaza
from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm on the 3rd Level Sundeck. The day-long celebration of
San Diego's literary talent will feature author presentations and music from
local artists. Attendees can meet favorite and new local authors as they conduct
readings, sign books, and mingle with others in the writing and reading
community. The event will end with a gala reception toasting this new,
non-profit, cultural organization.

Read Local San Diego (Read Local) is a nonprofit marketing coalition that aims
to get authors out from behind the computer and face-to-face with readers. It
was conceived as a way to create a richer reading experience for all and to
nurture casual readers and non-readers into becoming excited readers.

"I realized there was a need to connect local authors with readers, much like
the farmers market and `buy local` movements connect a community," said Karla
Olson, founder of Read Local. "Authors seldom get to meet the public. It`s a
very isolated profession. This is a way for them to meet and grow readers within
their community."

Olson gathered readers, writers, publicists, publishers, and anyone interested
in her mission to create the all volunteer-run group. Committees are finding
local authors to join Read Local and become part of its extensive directory,
setting up events, locating sponsors, and promoting the organization to the
community.

Read Local San Diego recently launched its website at
http://sandiego.readlocal.org. It will include a comprehensive, searchable
online directory of San Diego authors as well as a listing of year-round,
county-wide events designed to connect readers and authors.

"Most readers are unaware of the depth and diversity of authors living within
their communities," said Olson. "With Read Local San Diego, we`ve created a way
to bring them in contact with these authors. By creating the opportunity for
readers to meet authors within their community, we hope to foster a more dynamic
relationship between the two groups."

Contrary to predictions from a few decades ago when people were convinced
technology would lead to the disappearance of the book, there are tremendous and
exciting opportunities in publishing today-affordable production options,
accessible distribution channels, and targeted marketing strategies. The
Internet has brought interest groups together, and authors can reach those niche
groups more easily than ever before.

However, this means authors are not only writing their books from behind
computer screens; they`re also marketing them there. Readers love discovering a
new book, but they love it even more when they feel a one-on-one connection to
the author.

Read Local San Diego solves this dilemma by supporting the literary and
commercial community that nurtures arts and culture in San Diego, by expanding
the market for local publishers and authors, and by encouraging a process of
discovery for readers of the wonderful authors in San Diego via the excitement
of personal interaction with the creator of a book.

"Read Local wants to help nurture and introduce both committed and casual
readers to the enriching experience of books, by meeting and getting to know
local authors and their works," said Olson. "We believe Read Local will enrich
the San Diego artistic community."

Authors interested in participating in this event should contact Read Local
before Oct. 14, 2009. For more information, contact Karla Olson at
karla@sandiego.readlocal.org, (760) 753-2279.

for Read Local San Diego
Beth Walsh
beth@clearpointagency.com
858-724-2500

Copyright Business Wire 2009