28 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JULY 31-AUGUST 6, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com LIT Kirsten Tarman wrote her first book, Olly and Lucille’s Adventures in Carmel, two years ago and right away wanted to keep her localized book as local as possible. She eschewed listing it on Amazon for that very reason and focused on selling it at stores around the Monterey Peninsula. “I realized it’s a challenge to get people to understand your book and take a chance,” she says. “It’s different than a song you can listen to and hear the music.” She saw how the annual Carmel Art Show gives local artists a platform and was inspired to do the same for book authors, thus the idea for the Author Faire was born. The first one takes place Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Carmel Plaza. Tarman posted her idea for the event on social media looking for authors to sign on. Someone from the Central Coast Writers Guild saw the post, connected with Tarman and promoted it with their members. She soon had over 20 authors willing to participate, representing a diverse array of genres. Some of the books that will be featured include a memoir by a Special Forces medic, a journal to guide people through their hospital experiences, an award-winning children’s book about the tooth fairy at Christmas and a mystery set in California’s First Theatre located in Monterey. “I’m asking authors to bring their personality. Don’t just bring a table with books,” she says. Tarman has offered to work with the writers to come up with creative displays and experiences. She will be showcasing her children’s book and possibly her dog Olly, one of the inspirations for the story. (Lucille has unfortunately died.) Lisa Crawford Watson will be there with her memoir What We Wished For: An Adoption Story. She sees great value in what Tarman is doing. “This is a community of authors and writers,” she says of the Peninsula. “This is a place that inspires writing and has so many writers with stories to tell.” Watson adds that the fair gives a place for the community to come together—and for the authors to connect with potential readers. “When we’re writing we’re in our writing spaces. That’s a very solitary pursuit,” Crawford Watson says. “This is a way to engage with those who might read what we have to share.” Author Faire takes place 11am-3pm Saturday, Aug. 2. Carmel Plaza, Mission and Ocean, Carmel. Free. carmelplaza.com/happenings. DANIEL DREIFUSS Open Book The first-ever Author Faire seeks to give local writers a way to showcase their work. By Pam Marino After learning that marketing options for authors in the region were limited, Kirsten Tarman organized a showcase of local work. The Oven Pizzeria is here to help! Whether it’s a corporate event, family gathering, or a graduation party, we’ve got the perfect pizzas to please everyone. Choose from our classic East Coast thin crust or signature West Coast sourdough for that unique slice. Let us handle the meal, so you can enjoy the time. Craving Pizza? Catering made easy visit www.TheOvenOnBroadway.com for our menu Call us at 831-899-1762 to order! FRESH. LOCAL. TASTY. Fisherman’s Wharf FRESHEST SEAFOOD with PANORAMIC VIEWS Open Daily at 11:30am • At the end of Fisherman’s Wharf #1 www.rockfishmonterey.com • 831.324.4375 WOODYSMONTEREYAIRPORT.COM MONTEREY REGIONAL AIRPORT 200 FRED KANE DRIVE MONTEREY 831-373-1232 OPEN 9AM-9PM EVERY DAY CARMEL VALLEY ATHLETIC CLUB 27300 RANCHO SAN CARLOS RD CARMEL (831) 624-2737 OPEN WED-SUN LUNCH AND DINNER DEL MESA CARMEL 500 DEL MESA CARMEL CARMEL VALLEY 831-624-1854 OPEN WED-SUN LUNCH AND DINNER WOODY DON’T KNOW VACATION... WOODY KNOWS HOW TO EAT LIKE IT’S A VACATION STOP INTO WOODY’S FOR A HOLIDAY IN YOUR MOUTH. CALL FOR RESERVATION BRUNCH UNTIL 2PM | DINNER SPECIALS AFTER 2PM
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