Locals gathered at the Old Town Newhall Library Saturday, Jan. 16 for the third annual Friends of the Library Local Author Celebration.

The event highlighted more than 50 authors from Santa Clarita from ages 10 to 93.

“We have authors of every genre,” said Brenda Wadsworth, author committee chair. “We’re really excited about celebrating the writing culture of this valley and the written word.”

Kelly Behle, city librarian, said this year’s event is bigger than ever.

“We have more authors this year than we’ve ever had before.”

The authors lined the walls of the Old Town Newhall Library while visitors got the chance to talk to them one-on-one and ask questions about the books.

Authors were then separated by genre and grouped together to host discussion panels on their works.

One author said she got inspiration for her book from a little girl she met at church.

“It is a story of inspiration because this child, at eight years old, illustrated it,” said Judith Bunten, author of “The Artist’s Sketch- Lacey’s Song”.

“She is visually impaired,” Bunten said of the child.

“The Artist’s Sketch- Lacey’s Song” has pages with etched out illustrations so the reader can feel the pictures.

Bunten said she hopes her story will inspire people to do anything they want to do.