About Us
About Local Talent Books & Music, Inc.
Looking for something different? Local Talent is your source for independent authors and musicians, as well as local published authors and signed musicians. We are located in Richmond, Virginia and carry a large number of titles from Virginia book authors and musicians. Large chain stores concentrate on “best sellers” and regional artists’ work too often is either not carried at all, or hidden among thousands of other titles.
Whether you're a musician or author looking to market your book or CD or you are someone who wants to expand your collection beyond what you hear on the radio or see in your standard bookstores, Local Talent speaks to you where you live.
Calendar of events
For booksignings and concerts, check out Events calendar.
On the web
A note from the founder
People often ask me what got me started. Well, several years ago, I helped my dad self-publish his book of World War II stories, A Narrow Strip of World War II: D-Day to the Rhine River in Germany. He chose to self-publish because they were his stories and he did not want an editor putting words into his mouth. On his 90th birthday, he went to visit the publisher to discuss printing his book. I was so proud to see him go through with having it published and I realized how great sales were when he was doing book signings, and promoting on his own, but how quickly sales dropped when he was not activity marketing his book. The bookstores that agreed to carry his book placed it among the many other titles and not at a place of prominence.
I also had the opportunity to meet other Virginia authors who shared similar stories of pouring their heart and sole into their work only to have it lost in the shuffle. Likewise, I know musicians from Virginia who created CDs and had similar trouble marketing their music. I thought “There’s a niche out there to help sell titles for regional artists.”
In meeting book authors from Richmond and the central Virginia area, I have met some great talent. Sure, Virginia already boasts of best-selling authors like Patricia Cornwell, John Grisham, David Baldacci, and others who have made the “big time” and are household names; we are also rich with authors who should be household names, but have not received the recognition they deserve. Authors from every genre imaginable from Virginia history, fiction, non-fiction, etc. call Virginia home. Not convinced? Take a look at the Local Virginia Authors page to get to know some of our regional authors. You’ll fall in love with them, too.
Virginia is also rich with musical talent as well. I’ve met fabulous musicians that deserve a shout out, too! Take a look for a Virginia Musicians page to get to know some of our regional musicians.
Enjoy!
Margaret Oleksa
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