Community Author Talk & Book Signing
Date: Sunday, May 3
Time: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Location: Rockfish Valley Community Center Auditorium
Admission: Free
The Rockfish Valley Community Center is launching a new community event series celebrating the stories and voices of local writers.
Join us for Meet Your Local Authors, an afternoon featuring five authors who will share the inspiration behind their books and the journeys that led them to write and publish.
The program will begin with a moderated conversation led by Tiffany Keaton, where each author will talk about how and why they wrote their books, lessons learned along the way, and what it means to bring personal stories to life.
Following the discussion, guests will have the opportunity to meet the authors, purchase books, and enjoy book signings.
Wine and light refreshments will be available during the reception.
This event is the kick-off of an ongoing RVCC series highlighting local authors.
Featured Authors
Jan Hogle
Retired anthropologist Jan Hogle lives near the southern end of Shenandoah National Park. Her writing reflects a life shaped by curiosity, travel, and storytelling. Her books include Risking Wreckage, a memoir about personal transformation, and Seven Yrs in Africa, an epistolary memoir drawn from letters, journals, and reflections from her years abroad.
Books:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jan-Hogle/author/B096WCCB5Y
Mary Jo Russell
Mary Jo Russell is the author of multiple novels and is currently working on her fourth book. Her writing explores character, resilience, and the complexity of human relationships.
Books:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mary-Jo-Russell/author/B0DMWVSVF1
Linda Thornburg
Linda Thornburg is a Virginia author whose work explores powerful personal and historical themes. Her writing reflects a deep curiosity about human experience and storytelling.
Books:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Linda-Thornburg/author/B001K8HEZU
Petra Monaco
Petra Monaco is a published author, creativity coach, and artist who challenges the status quo. Raised in foster care in Germany, she immigrated to the United States as a young mother and later worked her way to becoming a Master’s-level therapist.
After watching her youngest son fight for his life through a rare genetic disorder and three liver transplants, Petra redirected her life toward helping creatives and multi-passionate people stop waiting for “someday” and start building the life they want now.
Her books include the memoir Betrayal: The Journey – Childhood Memories and the Adult Awakening and the inspirational story Lennon Steps, based on her son’s journey through illness and recovery.
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Petra-Monaco/author/B018W73C4S
Jean Pugh Shipman
Jean Pugh Shipman spent nearly 40 years as a medical librarian and scholar before turning to fiction. Her debut novel, One Tragic June, draws on authentic family letters and stories from her mother’s family history.
Raised in a small Pennsylvania town steeped in Plain religious traditions, Jean now lives in the foothills of Virginia with her husband, Mark, and their cat.
Books:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jean-Pugh-Shipman/author/B0FY4KRHGG
Moderator: Tiffany Keaton
Guests are welcome to purchase books ahead of time using the author links above. Limited copies may be available at the event.