A Greater Sudbury author is hosting a book fair this weekend. Emily Andrews’ volunteer experience with Sudbury’s popular book fair, ‘Wordstock,’ last October gave her the idea to stage ‘Use Your Voice Indie Book Fair,’ taking place Sept. 5 in Chelmsford. “Last year I did volunteer work for Wordstock and realized that because I am on disability, I am only allowed to volunteer so many hours,” Andrews said. “But the group needed a commitment from people to volunteer more hours than I could do -- and I had to quit. I felt terrible. Because as a writer, I wanted to contribute to our community in a positive way.” Andrews said she wanted to do something on her own time and in her own way. As a result, the book fair was born. “The authors who are coming have been super positive and they are excited to attend,” said Andrews. “It is making my life so much easier. Most of our authors and some of our bookish vendors will be doing free seminars, designed to inspire people because I want the world to make art.” Andrews added that the goal of the book fair is for people to have a way to express themselves. “Whether that ends up in something that they do as a living or as a hobby, or just some way for them to get their feelings out,” she said. “I want them to feel empowered to do that.” The mother and wife said her first book was a memoir about post-partum depression – and it was written with a lot of sarcasm. “I realized at one point that if I was not honest, I should not be writing this,” Andrews said. “I always had a lot of false starts because I was always afraid of what other people were going to think, especially my mom.” She added she didn’t want her mother to worry about her, but she still wanted to make a connection with readers so they knew they were not alone in suffering from postpartum depression. “It required complete honesty on my part and I have been trying to evolve that moment in my life.” Andrews said that all the profits from the book fair will go to Chelmsford Valley District Composite School, to whatever arts program that the school provides.
