Book lovers gathered in The Woodlands for event featuring several authors

(Photo: Denise Hayes and Meg Garrison, co-chairs of the Signatures Author Series event, take a break from preparing the ballroom at the Marriott)

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- It's a literacy lovers dream come true: best-selling and local authors all gathered under one roof.

It's The John Cooper School 12th Annual Signatures Author Series at the The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel.

Visiting authors included Cheryl Strayed, who wrote the best-selling book "Wild," and several local authors including Kathryn Lane, Joy Preble, Curt Locklear, Kristin Rae and more.

The variety of authors encompass a wide range of genres, including adult and adolescent fiction, self-help, historical fiction, a cookbook and a holiday book for children.

"A lot of people still enjoy holding a book, but the digital age makes reading a book easier. Because of that, I think more people are reading," said Denise Hayes, co-chair of the event and co-president of The John Cooper School Fine Arts Council. "Any way we can bring authors together encourages people to read."

"It might also inspire someone thinking of writing a book," added co-chair Meg Garrison.

A portion of funds raised at the event are donated to various organizations that promote literacy, such as the Montgomery County Memorial Library System.

Director Jerilynn Willams said they are honored to be selected as a literacy partner again this year.

Last year, they used the donation to purchase large-print and audio books for circulation throughout Montgomery County retirement centers and nursing homes. In previous years, the funds were used to supplement Conroe ISD school libraries.

"We're still attempting to determine how we will use this year's funds," Williams said. "We have several ideas and are looking at what we can do to have the greatest impact on literacy in the community."