Douglas book signing at NHPL cancelled

By Michael Riley

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

UPDATE: According to NHPL's events coordinator, Natalie Phillips, the Samantha L. Douglas book signing on Oct. 9 has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. The library hopes to reschedule this event at a later date, and they apologize for any inconvenience.

According to the North Hastings Public Library's Facebook page, they will be hosting a book signing and meet and greet with local author Samantha L. Douglas, who will be signing copies of her book Joey's Sleepover on Oct. 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. downstairs in the children's room at the library.

Natalie Phillips, the events coordinator, says that the library is very excited to be able to host this event, and she reveals that the ‘Meet the Author' book signing will be held indoors in the children's room on the bottom floor of the library.

“COVID-19 protocols will be in place such as masks worn and social distancing. As we are limited in space, persons wanting to meet Samantha L. Douglas and have their purchased copy of her book signed will have to line up. Photos with the author are also welcomed,” she says.

Douglas says she's super excited about the upcoming event and was ecstatic when she was contacted by the NHPL, calling it an absolute honour.

“Sales of Joey's Sleepover have been excellent! I hope everyone enjoys it and I look forward to meeting people who have purchased my book. I have a feeling it will be a large group. To anyone who will come, I look forward to meeting you and seeing all of you there!” she says.

Her next book, Joey's Christmas, has been coming along very well, according to Douglas, and she says she's been busy with the illustrations and making changes as she goes. She says it will soon be sent to her publisher, Tellwell.

Phillips reveals that Kimberly Munn, the CEO and head librarian at NHPL, had heard about a young local author who had recently had her first book published and she got to meet her. She says that McMunn mentioned to Douglas that they'd be interested in hosting an event for her and would contact her soon.

McMunn says that this year, NHPL is giving thanks for authors.

“How fortunate we are that people will share their work, giving others hours of entertainment and information. Even more exciting is the opportunity to host local author Samantha L. Douglas. Being able to support members in our community, especially during such challenging times, means a lot to the staff and board members of our library,” she says.

Originally the NHPL wanted to host a book reading with Douglas, according to Phillips, but due to limited space and changing pandemic conditions, they felt that a book signing and meet and greet would be an even better option. However, Phillips says that they might get a story time with the author after all, and that people should keep checking the library's website and Facebook page for confirmation of that.

“I am really looking forward to seeing many of the community coming out and supporting Samantha L. Douglas. Even I will be purchasing a signed copy of her book, even though my daughter's all grown up. And honestly, how many people can say that they have a signed copy of an author's first book?” she says. “It's important to support local talent and we get to do that with this event.”