A favorite event is cruising back to Maynardville Public Library Saturday, Sept. 9. The fifth Thunder Road Author Rally will run 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day. The event is free to the public and to authors wishing to set up booths.

Maynardville Library Director Chantay Collins said the rally has been a huge success and has filled a need. It started when library employee Jessica Raley joined Knoxville Writers Guild. Around the same time, Chantay and Raley went to an independent author event in Knoxville.

"We gathered cards and found out that most libraries don't put independent authors in their libraries," said Collins.

They made a pact that Maynardville Library would welcome independent authors, "and we are now one of the largest holdings for independent authors," she added.

"John Grisham was an independent author when he started," said Collins. "Look where he's at now. One day, they may be the next John Grisham, and they will remember that you helped put their book out there at the beginning. And some of these independent authors are better than your famous authors right now.

"It also encourages young people to publish. They know they can bring it to us and we will put it on the shelves."

Raley started asking local, independent authors to come to the library for book signings, and soon the Thunder Road Author Rally was born. The first rally had about six authors. This year, 43 authors have signed up so far. Some are old favorites who have come to every rally since the first. Some are new, and several have won awards for their work.

"It started with a small group, and it's just grown," said Collins. "We still do our author signings when they have a new book coming out, but this is the big event."

Last year, fans came from as far away as West Virginia and Missouri to meet their favorite authors.

Returning are Union County Historian Bonnie Peters and fantasy maven J.K. Ensley, along with A.H. Richardson of "Jorie and the Magic Stones," and many more. New authors include children's author Dazie Max and Luttrell Library director Kim Todd with a soon-to-be-published children's book. There will be door prizes, along with the chance to purchase books and get them signed. Author rally T-shirts will be available for $15 each.

"Coming to the rally lets people know that they can publish their writings, too, and we have a lot of people come in and talk to the authors and ask, 'How did you do it?'" said Collins. "It's important to let people know to think outside the box. If you need extra income, write a story. The possibilities are endless."

Collins thanked everyone who has contributed to the rally's success, including the library staff, Friends of the Library, and Melissa Stevens of the Illustrated Author for designing the logo.

For a list of this year's authors, visit https://www.maynardvillepubliclibrary.org/our-authors. Space for authors is still available. To sign up, call the library at 865-992-7106.