By Gabbie Burton
Contributing Writer

The Oxford Public Library hosted its sixth annual “Noir at a Bar” fundraiser at the Octoraro Tavern in Oxford on Nov. 7, an event that featured 10 writers who performed readings of their original noir stories to those in attendance.

The fundraiser, organized by Gary Zenker of Mainline Writers Group and Oxford Library Board Treasurer Jay Kennedy, is one of four major fundraisers the library holds each year. All proceeds from the event -- including ticket sales and all sales of the writers’ books -- went to the library.

“Yes, it’s great to have an audience, yes it’s great to read our stories, but it’s also great that we combine that with support of the library,” Zenker said. “The goal is to put audiences and writers together. These are all local writers but ones that a lot of people wouldn’t know if they didn’t receive exposure like this.”

Writers at the event included Todd Harra, who was described in his introduction as a “part-time writer and full-time undertaker,” who told a story of what happens at the second autopsy, and former Oxford resident Greg Cox, who read a story he published 30 years ago about the Jack the Ripper murders. Oxford resident Mike Clarke read his story about an Oxford private investigator investigating the big theories behind small town happenings.

Also reading at the event was Kennedy, who in addition to his role on the library board is perhaps best known around town during the holiday season as Santa Claus. He read his morbid and humorous Santa story about a killing spree at a Christmas event featuring real Oxford locals. Kennedy took the microphone in his classic red suit, kicking the story off by stating, “I really hate Christmas.”

“I’m just a reader, and since they’re doing it at Oxford, Gary kind of graciously said, ‘Why don't you submit a story?’” Kennedy said. “So, I do it every year and I make mine local and have a lot of Oxford flavor to it.”

Other writers included James McCrone, Lanny Larcinese, Kimberly Leahy, Chris Bauer, Jim Sassaman and Zenker. While some writers at the event were local, others traveled as far as three hours to participate in the event. Cox, Zenker and Kennedy all shared that they feel there is a supportive and strong local community of writers in the Oxford community.

“There are a huge number of talented people here, some of whom have been published a lot who are on the cusp of being published,” Zenker said. “Some are learning their craft early on, getting ready to figure out what to do. It’s incredibly humbling when I listen to these stories.”

Ultimately, both the library board and the writers viewed the event as a success, paying special thanks to the importance of proving an audience to writers.

“Just being able to fill a room with library folks to provide an audience for these authors makes it worthwhile,” Kennedy said.

“Thank you to the audience,” Zenker said at the end of event. “You’re the reason why writers write.” 

To contact Contributing Writer Gabbie Burton, email [email protected].