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Library welcoming writers on Saturday


The following was submitted by Mendell Morgan, director of El Progreso Memorial Library.

Seven authors will be featured in a book signing set Saturday at El Progreso Memorial Library.

The writing duo of Javier Zamora, son of the late longtime library fixture Olga Cardona Zamora, and J. Aaron Pratt will join local writers Paulette Jiles, Lena “Marina” Garcia, Katharine Hamilton, and Michael Earney as well as Uvalde native Bowie Ibarra from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Jiles

Paulette Jiles is an American poet and novelist. Born in Salem, Missouri, she is a national best-selling author who was educated at the University of Missouri with a degree in romance languages.

Among her titles are “Cousins,” a memoir, and the bestselling novels “Enemy Women,” “Stormy Weather,” “The Color of Lightning,” and “News of the World” which was a finalist for the National Book Award.

“Lighthouse Island” will be released in October.

Jiles lives in the Texas Hill Country on a small ranch near Utopia, complete with a horse named Buck and a donkey that is available for adoption.

Garcia

Lena “Marina” Garcia resides in Uvalde but was born in San Antonio and raised in Houston.

She is publisher of the Uvalde Eagle News.

Garcia’s storytelling was inspired by listening to stories she heard as a child. “The Spiders Christmas,” “Another Spiders Christmas,” “The Big Forest” and “Little Buffalo” are suited for all ages.

Earney

Michael Earney is an author, fine arts painter, commercial artist, T-shirt designer; maker of one-of-a kind decorative folding screens, ceramics, sculptures and pottery; teacher, and award-winning documentary filmmaker.

He has just returned from an extended stay in Costa Rica and makes his home near Utopia.

Among other publications, Earney has authored Land and Cattle and the handsomely illustrated “A to Z Book of Birds.”

Zamora

Javier Zamora will be welcomed as a native, son of the late Olga (Cardona) and Hilberto Zamora, the former was a fixture at the library for over 54 years.

Passionate about all forms of art and expression, Zamora is an artist who enjoys exploring all mediums. He makes his home with his wife and children in San Antonio.

He was formally trained in the practice of architecture, completing his education at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where he received a Bachelor of Science in architecture.

He has co-authored and illustrated “J.J. and the Steel Dragon” with J. Aaron Pratt.

Pratt

J. Aaron Pratt is also a native Texan, raised in San Antonio. He attended Arizona State University where he studied architecture and urban planning.

Continuing his education at the University of Texas at San Antonio he studied interior design.

Hamilton

Katharine Hamilton’s most recent books are “Montgomery House” and “Chicago’s Best.”

Hamilton finds herself drawn time and again by the people behind her adventures and wishes to bring them to life in “The Lighthearted Collection,” a series of novels that offer a clean and sweet perspective on romance and suspense.

She was born and raised in the state of Texas, where she currently resides on a ranch in the heart of brush country.

She is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in history.

Ibarra

Bowie Ibarra has come out with an exciting new story featuring a lucha libre crimefighter in San Uvalde.

“I love the classic Santo and Blue Demon movies, and already had a ready-made character to pay homage to the lucha cinema tradition,” Ibarra said.

“El Aire vs. The Mummies of San Uvalde” is the story of the Mexican luchador El Aire. He’s a luchador by day, and a crimefighter by night.

In this title, El Aire investigates a break-in at the local museum featuring an exhibit of the recently discovered mummies of San Uvalde.

“As he investigates the break-ins, El Aire discovers the crime might be tied to an old rival of his from Arena Mexico,” Ibarra said.

Ibarra graduated from Uvalde High School in 1993 and earned a degree from Texas State University. He has been writing for 10 years and finds inspiration in South Texas. He describes his stories as “Tex-Mexploitation’ in that they are inspired by the stories, sights, history and sounds of South Texas.

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