BIDDEFORD — Maine has a rich heritage of authors of every ilk, and there is no scarcity of literary talent locally.

On Sunday at 3 p.m., the public will have a chance to listen and talk to some homegrown talent when the McArthur Public Library hosts five local authors ”“ four from Biddeford and a former Biddeford resident who recently moved across the river to Saco ”“ at an event being labeled “Biddeford Bookshelf.”

“It’s something I was interested to try after hearing about a bunch of people in Biddeford who are writers,” said McArthur Assistant Director Sally Leahey.

“I limited it to five,” she said, though “there are many more than that.”

Among the authors featured, there will be a variety of literary styles shared with the audience.

Author Roland Salazar Rose wrote a memoir; Mary Lyons wrote a mystery novel; Norman Beaupre has written fiction and non-fiction works in both English and French; Susan Dudley Gold, who now lives in Saco but owns property in Biddeford, writes non-fiction; and Joshua Bodwell will read from one of his short stories.

Each author will have about 10 minutes to read a portion of his or her work and discuss it. After the authors finish their formal presentations, audience members can ask questions and the writers will discuss their process and work among themselves.

“I thought a conversation among (the authors) would be interesting, especially for aspiring writers in the audience,” said Leahey.

She said the event will be informal, with a cafe-type atmosphere, and refreshments will be served.

“I’ve been writing most of my life,” said Lyons. Prior to her mystery novel, she wrote poetry as well as a non-fiction book about women entrepreneurs entitled “Maine’s Achieving Women: Conversations with Entrepreneurs.”

Her book “Greetings, Kali,” is Lyons’ first attempt at a mystery novel.

She wrote it, she said, because “I enjoy reading mysteries” and she thought she would try her hand at it.

Although Lyons tried to find a publisher for her novel to no avail, with today’s technology, she went the self-publish route. The book is available through Amazon for Kindle e-readers.

Laughing, Lyons said the book is popular among her friends. She said she hopes those who attend the reading on Sunday will find her book interesting.

Whether or not the Sunday event drives sales to her novel, Lyons said about Biddeford Bookshelf, “I think it’s a great thing that local authors are getting a forum locally. … It makes the community aware of local authors.”

Bodwell said he likes that the event will feature “a big range of subject matters and styles.”

He’ll be reading from a short story that will be published next month in the literary magazine “Slice,” which will be available at the Engine art gallery on Main Street.

Bodwell’s short story is one of a series of stories set in Cape Porpoise.

One of the reasons he agreed to participate in the event, said Bodwell, is because “I have a personal rule to always say yes to librarians.”

Not only is Bodwell a writer, he also nourishes writers in his role as the executive director of the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance. In addition, he has assisted with previous author events at McArthur.

Audience members are welcome to ask him about his writing as well as pose questions geared to his administrative position about the perks and challenges of being a writer in Maine, said Bodwell.

Leahey said usually author events at the library feature only one or two writers.

She said she’s hoping for a larger-than-average turnout for the multiple author Biddeford Bookshelf on Sunday. If all goes well, she said, she’d like to have more events with multiple local authors in the future.

Biddeford Bookshelf: A Roundtable of Biddeford Authors will take place Sunday at 3 p.m., at the McArthur Public Library at 270 Main St. in Biddeford. For more information, call 284-4181.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or [email protected].