Events › Salute to Local Authors

"Dottie," the LPL bookmobile and Baby Jay are special guests at the 2025 Local Author Salute on Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 10:30 am to 1 pm at Crown Automotive, 3430 South Iowa Street. Book lovers from the Lawrence, Topeka, and Kansas City Metro region are invited to meet their favorite local author or illustrator at this special celebration. Be sure to pick up a "Crown Coin" from the library's ASK Desk in advance and get a FREE book from your favorite adult or children’s book author while you're there! The event will benefit the Lawrence Public Library Friends & Foundation as well as KC's Lead to Read.

Participating authors:

Brian Hanni, Voice of the Jayhawks and author of Game Maker, A Creative Kid Becomes the Father of Basketball and Banner Year, The Championship Season of the 2021-22 Kansas Jayhawks

Marian Washington, author of FIERCE, My Fight For Nothing Less

Jim “Mr. Stinky Feet” Cosgrove, author of Bob Bop Dinosaur, Hark It’s Harold the Angel, and Sullen Sally

Kendall Gammon, television and radio host, NFL veteran (Kansas City Chiefs), and author of Game Plan, Leadership Lessons from the Best of the NFL

Sly James, former Kansas City mayor and author of A Passion for Purpose, Building Cities for Our Children and Mayor Sly and the Magic Bow Tie, A Kansas City Adventure

Audrey Masoner and Aja James, co-authors of Mayor Sly and the Magic Bow Tie, A Kansas City Adventure

Miles Schnaer, author of Take the Crown, 18 Core Principles to Grow Your Business and Improve Your Life

Mandi Dow, author of Go Cars Go!

Larry McElwain, author of A Life Lived Amongst Lives Lost: Serving as the Village Undertaker

Rabbi Michael Zedek, author of Taking Miracles Seriously, A Journey to Everyday Spirituality

Jacob Hood, author and illustrator of Baby Jay’s Jayhawk Journey, The Ultimate KU Story About What It Means to be a Jayhawk,

Joni Wickham, author of The Thin Line Between Cupcake and Bitch, Taking Action, Driving Change, Getting Results

Chris Meggs, author of Go Chiefs Go! The Championship Season of the Kansas City Chiefs and ‘Twas the Night Before Tipoff- The University of Kansas Jayhawks

Julie Snodgrass, author of The Search For Your Best Furever Friend, An Animal Alphabet Adventure and Puppies on Parade, and Let’s Learn the States

Jason Dye, author of Initium Novum, New Beginnings

Rob Peters, illustrator of over 30 children’s books: Go Cars Go!; ‘Twas the Night Before Tipoff—The University of Kansas Jayhawks; Go Chiefs Go! The Championship Season of the Kansas City Chiefs; Kansas Jayhawks ABCs and 123s; Why Would You Invite A Dinosaur To Your Birthday Party; and Are You A Baseball Guy?