Hometown Biz

Jenna Martinez, the owner of the Magic of Books, decided to host her first Author Signing to support Authors. Her passion for the written word is echoed throughout her building in downtown Seymour, Indiana. A long time reader herself she opened her bookstore in 2020 to fulfill her lifelong dream. In the process she sparked the dreams of so many book readers in our community. The Magic of Books became a cozy place for book lovers to come together during the many events she hosts monthly for our community.

She has hosted events such as monthly book clubs, writing groups, Lore at the Bookstore (a paranormal investigation podcast co-hosted with Author Ashley Greathouse), the Mystic Moon Market Festival with the Pacey Apothecary, a Taylor Swift Trivia Night, and more. Now she is branching out even larger with hosting Seymour’s first ever Author Book Signing on May 18th!

This incredible event, hosted by the Magic of Books Bookstore, will premiere their first ever major signing upstairs in downtown Seymour. It will be hosted at Rails Craft Brew & Eatery on May 18th from 12pm to 4pm in their upstairs banquet room. This event is free to the public with no admission. It is open to all ages!

Twenty-eight Authors have joined together for this event traveling here from all over Indiana, Kentucky, and even one from South Carolina! Author Charles Ingersoll will be traveling to Indiana from South Carolina for the Author Signing. This horror Author has a deep love for zombies and everything spooky which prompted his writing of “Great American Zombie Novel”. He now has an ongoing series that focuses on a post-apocalyptic America plagued by zombies.

Local Seymour Author and paranormal investigator Ashley Greathouse will be joining the event to promote her work. After having some odd experiences in her youth Ashley was intrigued by horror and the paranormal. Though she is skeptic due to knowing the tricks of the human mind, in part from her own diagnosis of schizophrenia, she still finds herself pulled to a darker and spookier realm. This has influenced her writing with published books such as “The Schatten”, “Stories Told”, & her newest book “Hen House”. Ashley is active on Social Media with her pages “Greathouse Horrors” and “Encounters with Darkness” on Facebook and TikTok “GreathouseHorrors“. If you have a great love of all things spooky – you will have a love of Ashley Greathouse!

Author Wendy Cartwright is a poet, Author, reporter, and columnist from our local Columbus, Indiana. You may recognize her articles from the North Vernon Plain Dealer on human interests and news or her bi-weekly column called Midwest Wonders in The Seymour Tribune. Wendy has self-published a book “Midwest Wonders: Musings of a Lifelong Hoosier” containing a variety of her articles.

Author Skye Nicholson from Columbus, Indiana is not only a poet, but also an ambassador for wellness. Skye is the founder and CEO of Soul’s Truth Coaching, LLC which promotes stress management, women’s retreats, one-on-one coaching, teaching healthy boundaries, & more. Her past experiences have allowed her to tap into the reservoirs of the human spirit to help shepherd other people to a healthier mindset and place of being. When reading her poetry you will find yourself drawn to the magic of her words that propel you into self exploration.

The quaint town of Seymour, Indiana has often heralded itself as a supporter of Small Businesses and the Arts. The city has worked hard to revitalize their downtown to support local businesses and their owners. This event will not only support the twenty-eight attending Authors, but also two Small Businesses – the Magic of Books Bookstore and the sponsor of this event Rails Craft Brew & Eatery. During this event you will have the opportunity to dine at this local favorite restaurant trying their famous Beer Cheese Appetizer or one of their Craft Beers on tap. For those of you making a day of the event downtown they will also have local musician Kolton Norton playing live music that night from 7pm to 9pm.

If you are traveling from out of town to the Author Signing you can follow the map below to find parking lots within walking distance to the venue! Downtown has plenty of businesses to check out during your visit to Seymour. For everything holistic and odd check out the Pacey Apothecary – the self proclaimed “weirdest store in Seymour”! Lovers of collectible and rare toys should stop in and visit Lost and Found Toys. If you are looking for handmade artisan jewelry look no further than Rural Witch! She has beautiful intuitive designs made with metals, crystals, & more. While you are there stop in and visit 1852 Cafe – a local coffee shop dedicated to 100% Gluten-Free food, drinks, & treat. With a bookstore, coffee shops, boutiques, gift shops, and restaurants to visit you won’t regret your decision to travel here for the Author Signing on May 18th!

Follow the event on Facebook for updates and to add to your calendar!