Elizabeth Danielle Coles looked around the Barton County Commission chamber Tuesday morning.

“Many of you here sitting in this room are authors and you don’t realize it,” she said. “Anytime you put your thoughts down on paper, you can leave it there for posterity. And that’s like leaving a piece of your soul there. You start with a blank canvas, and you put down your thoughts and views on that paper.”

So whether it’s for business, or poetry or a novel, “most of you here are authors.”

Coles, owner of Druschel LLC Media and a writer from Hoisington, then asked the commission adopt a proclamation marking Wednesday, Nov. 1, as National Author’s Day “to honor and appreciate the contributions of authors, both past and present, who have enriched lives through their creative works,” she said.

Commissioners obliged the request, noting the value authors have not only locally but to society as a whole.

“It is something that we don’t think about. It’s not really at our forefront because most authors just kind of do what they do,” Coles said. “But since man has been putting handprints on cave walls we’ve had the need to pass on our knowledge to others. And we do that by writing. And there’s all different forms.”

According to the proclamation, “this day reminds us to recognize the impact of literature on society and to celebrate the ingenious minds behind our favorite books and articles. While an author generally refers to a professional writer, we celebrate the written word in all its forms and those who share their knowledge, thoughts and stories via paper or electronic means.”

It goes on to read “the commission encourages all citizens to express themselves through written works,” the proclamation reads, going on to urge that “we celebrate authors for the enrichment they have provided in our lives.”

In addition, “in concert with National Author’s Day, we ask that all citizens read a book to a child today as a means of encouraging the enjoyment and educational opportunities created through reading,” it reads.

Coles also thanked the media present for the meeting, noting they are authors as well. “These gentlemen put their heart and soul out there for us all to read every day and they get criticized for it and they get praised for it but probably mainly criticized. So thank you gentlemen.”

Coles was not alone at the meeting. She invited fellow area authors: Becky Gillette of Great Bend, Gene Manweiler of Hoisington and Dorian Howton of Ellinwood. She recognized writers Timothy Pennington and Rhea Grandon, but they were not present.

“You’re right we’re all authors,” Gillette said.

“I’ve reading since I was 3 years old,” Houghton said. Being an avid reader ever since, this has opened her mind, sparked creativity and expanded her compassion.

“None of this would be possible without the love and creativity of the authors,” she said. “National Authors Day is on November 1 of each year. It’s a time to celebrate authors past, present, and encourage authors of the future.”

Manweiler, who penned a book on the history of Manweiler Chevrolet, said he retired three years ago, and embarked on his writing adventure.

“This preserves my family history,” he said. “It’s not hearsay. It’s not ‘What did you remember’? It’s all right here,” he said. It’s stories about how the family made it through the Depression, how they made it through the General Motors bankruptcy, as well as the good times along the way.