14 / matters magazine / spring 2018 great experience for her resume,” Krae- mer says, “it’s a way to forge a relationship with the Seton Hall community.” “Book nerds are my favorite people” declares commit- tee member Melanie Conklin, who plays an active role in the chil- dren’s literary commu- nity and is the author of Counting Thyme. Conklin, a South Or- ange resident for over a decade, has worked closely with Lasner on creating a more vis- ible children’s area this year. “The festival can offer a diverse range, not only of authors but of stories, genres, and cultures,” explains Conklin. “The pub- lishing industry is very white, and we want marginalized com- munities to have an opportunity. There’s a large African-Ameri- can community here and we need black authors. That’s a huge part of this festival that drives me.” Conklin credits the support of both Maplewood and South Orange libraries for helping to spread the word about the festival. “I spend a lot of time South Orange resident and committee member, Melanie Conklin, is working on giving the children's area more visibility this year. An author panel at the 2017 Maplewood- South Orange Book Festival. The Fur Salon 15 Village Plaza, South Orange | 973-763-2283 • Custom & Ready Made • Storage • Cleaning • Glazing • Alterations “Cold” storage Acupuncture, HerbAl Medicine, body tHerApy nutrition & lifestyle consultAtion Yang Yin Spring (917) 210-1063 www.sevenpointwellness.com Millburn, New Jersey – Midtown, New York