Helping my local bookstore celebrate its 50th birthday

I’m honored to have been one of the local authors invited to take part in my local bookstore’s big birthday bash this Saturday, Oct. 21. I’ll be at Viewpoint Books in downtown Columbus, Indiana, from noon to 2 p.m. signing books and celebrating its 50th anniversary.

I’ll have copies of both of my nonfiction books: Murder in Wauwatosa: The Mysterious Death of Buddy Schumacher and Wicked Columbus, Indiana. It is entirely possible they will sell out. So be there early, if possible.

Authors, who also include my wife, children’s author Kimberly S. Hoffman, will be outside of the building at Sixth and Washington streets on what promises to be a gorgeous fall day.

There will be a lot more going on than just the local authors.

Viewpoint will kick off the festivities at the corner 11 a.m. with a special edition of Story Time with Miss Polly. Following, there will be birthday cake, the Author’s Showcase featuring local and regional talent including Indiana’s Poet Laureate, games, and surprises throughout the store. Usual store hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Founded in October 1973 by Charles and Rae Edwards, Viewpoint is Indiana’s second oldest continuously operating independent bookstore. In 1979, the Edwards’ daughter, Susan, and her husband, Terry Whittaker, left their careers in social work in Elkhart to assume ownership of the store. They lovingly shared their passion for reading and literacy with our community – through good times and great challenges – for nearly 40 years until they sold the store to current owners, Beth and John Stroh, in 2016.