Western Pa. authors to pitch books at Oakmont event

Dillon Carr
Friday, Oct. 4, 2019 1:42 p.m. | Friday, Oct. 4, 2019 1:42 p.m.

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Tribune-Review

Tom Costello, owner of Costello Industries, with his wife, Francine, at his shop in Tarentum on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019. The Costellos said they plan to continue their business after filing for bankruptcy protection.

A dozen local authors will gather in Oakmont this month to pitch their books to an audience of hundreds in five minutes.

The 12^th annual event, sponsored by Tarentum-based Word Association Publishers, will be held from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at Riverside Landing in Oakmont, 12 Washington Ave.

Authors of newly published books will be given five minutes to describe their work. Audience members can enjoy a cash bar, live music, complimentary snacks, a pop-up book store and book signings from authors.

The event comes despite a recent company filing for bankruptcy. A Sept. 1 filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania shows the business owes 11 creditors about $74,500 and has assets of less than $50,000.

Tom and Francine Costello, owners of Word Association Publishers, have said the business will continue and that no one is line to lose their job. The company has two part-time employees, along with the full-time positions held by the Costellos.

Francine Costello said she’s excited for the unique event that started out by traveling to various libraries in the area. As the popularity of the event grew, Costello said they decided to find a more permanent host.

October’s event will be the third year Riverside Landing has been “A Gathering of Authors” host.

Presentations this year include books about beloved Pittsburgh figures, another about a man who walked 40 thousand miles to spread the love of God, some thrillers, a memoir and an account of a conspiracy that destroyed an American hero who hailed from Western Pennsylvania.

The event will also feature a pop-up bookstore with books for sale. This year there will also be 12 Word Association authors who have Backlist best-sellers for sale. Authors will be on hand to sign copies and talk with guests.

The event also features a Q&A session with authors and a raffle. It will be capped with the traditional serving of cookies and coffee.

For more information, call Costello at 800-827-7903.