Several local authors have their works featured at the New Castle Public Library. (Contributed)

By Annabelle Chipps, New Castle News

Whether you’re lounging in the library, relaxing by the pool or cozying up on a rainy day, New Castle has plenty of local authors to offer.

Michelle Swogger

Swogger is a real estate agent who published a collection of short stories about men’s mental health this April. She will be giving a talk about her book “Men, the Movement” at New Castle Public Library on June 24. Her work can be found there, as well as on Amazon or at Barnes & Noble. Read her debut for heartwarming stories and nuanced conversations surrounding a tough topic.

Heidi Lindsay

Lindsay is from New Castle and just published her debut work in May. She wrote “Beau’s Big Adventures” in honor of her grandson. The book follows a little boy and his real-life experiences through words and illustration and will likely become part of a series. It is meant to raise awareness and empathy for children with autism. The book is available on Amazon. A portion of the proceeds goes toward Lawrence County Autism Warriors. Share this book with kids ages 3-8 or read it yourself to learn about Beau’s world.

Gary Hill

Hill is a local retired teacher who writes about the Cold War and John F. Kennedy’s assassination. A member of several JFK research groups, Hill has appeared on talk shows and given lectures regarding his life’s work. His most recent book, “The Wizard of Oswald: What we know now that we didn’t know then” was published in November. His work is available on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble. He will be giving a roundtable discussion about the assassination June 30 at the library.

Elizabeth Hoover DiRisio

DiRisio is an active volunteer for the Lawrence County Historical Society. As such, she has written four books delving into the area’s past. Her 2016 co-authored title “In Hot Pursuit: The Hidden History of the Underground Railroad in Lawrence County Pennsylvania” remains her most popular. Available on Amazon, this book includes detailed research on New Castle’s role during slavery.

Tammy Germani

Germani is an Italian-American musician native to New Castle. She now lives in Los Angeles developing her writing and working with celebrities on tour. An audiobook featuring the voice of Drea D’Matteo from “The Sopranos” will soon be released for her 2023 debut “Tales of a Crestview Kid.” The novel is an anthology of experiences told from a unique, punky perspective. Both the paperback and audiobook can be found on Amazon. Crack open Germani’s work if you loved Patti Smith’s “Just Kids.”

Randy Ryan

Ryan is a teacher at the Lawrence County Career and Technical Center and has lived in the area his entire life. With stories for both kids and adults, Ryan bases his fictional worlds on New Castle. This March, he released a children’s book called “Alien Easter Bread,” which can be found on Amazon. He also dabbles in horror novels, focusing on the eeriness of western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio.

Dale Perelman

Perelman is a seasoned local writer who focuses on western Pennsylvania history. He has written nine books, all non-fiction and available on Amazon. His most popular work, called “New Castle’s Kadunce Murders,” can be purchased through Walmart and is in several libraries across the region. Check Perelman out for an array of true crime and an in-depth look at the Pittsburgh area.

Annabelle Chipps is a recent graduate of Slippery Rock University and one of 10 Pittsburgh Media Partnership summer interns.