Bookseller Brad Beshaw has a spring in his step as he cruises through the aisles at his place of employment, Island Books. Throughout the shop, customers are smiling as they grasp onto their books of choice and head to the purchase counter.

It’s clearly a festive day at the shop on a recent Tuesday around noon. Island Books owner Laurie Raisys said they should have a fun gathering on tap from 2-4 p.m. on July 27.

For the first time since COVID hit, the shop’s Local Author Festival will return to town with a bevy of authors, including some from Mercer Island, ready to showcase and sell their books and share some writing tips and tricks.

Raisys said it’s also an important event where authors can feel like “they’re part of that whole publishing community. And Sunday’s a great afternoon for people to come in and wander around and talk to local authors.”

Beshaw has organized the event and brought the following authors on board: Megan Acuna (“The Crown Prophecy”); Richard Ezekiel (“COELEVATE”); Valerie Foster (“Risk of Sorrow” and “Dancing with a Demon”); Adam Warren George (“The Lost Book of Eve”); Ben Johns (“Rogue for Peace”); John and Heather Kahan (“This is Your World Too”); Sophia Kouidou (“Circle of Peace,” “An Unexpected Ally” and “Sophia’s Return”); Tucker Miller (“The First Four Words”); David Rabinovitch (“Jukebox Empire”); James Raquepau (“Blades of Destiny,” “Stone of Destiny” and “Heart of Destiny”); Jaime Ryanne (“Elemental Affections”); Alexandra Shaw (“The Coach” and “Where Life Takes Us”); and Reya Velamoor (“Tara of Trees Beyond”).

Beshaw, a former book shop owner who writes and illustrates for the punk Razorcake fanzine, explained that the event will bring authors and readers together to become engaged in the literary scene. That scene includes a cross-pollination of different genres, from business managerial how-tos to romantacies, he said.

“Authors, as you know, can be very solitary. You sit and you pore over your stuff, and you pore over your stuff, and you pore over your stuff, and then you don’t know how it’s received,” he said. “You put it out there and numbers on a screen don’t tell you the whole story of who’s buying the book, who’s interested in this. And when authors get together, it’s just a great opportunity for them to talk about their craft with each other, to talk about their craft with the folks who attend.”

With the event, Island Books is looking for a sense of community among those offering the written word and those consuming it. Beshaw then turned the conversation toward Island Books author readings, which he said are kind of electric.

“It’s like a less loud rock show. The enthusiasm is infectious,” he said.

Mercer Island residents John and Heather Kahan said they’re thrilled to be participating in the fest.

“As first-time authors of our new book, ‘This is Your World Too,’ the local support means the world to us,” the Kahans said. “We hope that through our participation in this event, we can inspire and engage with the community and support Island Books. Moreover, we are passionate about making a difference, which is why all our proceeds will go to the Aaron Matthew SIDS Research Guild at Seattle Children’s. This cause is very close to our hearts, and we are excited to contribute towards it through our book.”

Islander Rabinovitch added about his upcoming appearance at the fest: “What a terrific opportunity to meet an incredible range of writers who live here on Mercer Island. Island Books is a local treasure.”

Island Books is located at 3014 78th Ave. SE. Visit: https://islandbooks.com/event/2025-07-27/local-author-festival.