Authors Rachel Ann Nunes and Julie Bellon want to help people read.

The two are among the 40 members of a literacy promotion group calld Storymakers. The group was developed locally in 2002 with a tiny circle of authors who shared a hope to reach out and do something more for society.

They began by setting up author extravaganzas where the group sold books to the public and donated the proceeds to libraries.

"The focus of the group is to bring awareness of the need in our society for literacy, so that the next generation of readers may have world views and perspectives that will benefit us in our personal lives as well as our communities," said Belon.

The group gives customized presentations on literacy in schools, churches and for government functions -- events called literacy nights. Authors in their group publish both in the national and local market .

The Storymakers write for a variety of genres: youth, suspense, romance, fantasy, mystery, picture books, and many more. Nunes, the group president, chairman of Storymakers Literacy Nights, and an award winning author, noted a decline in literacy amongst children and teens.

"It's not a matter of illiteracy, it's non-literacy," Nunes said. "People are choosing media over books, and parents are reading to children less."

Bellon and Nunes agree that parental involvement makes the difference.

The Storymaker Literacy Nights program offers people the keys to literacy and personal development through literacy. Some key points found in a possible presentation are: teaching children (and yourself) to love reading, how to motivate reluctant readers, how reading benefits family and contributes to society, closeness with family, finding the time to read, opportunities to help literacy in schools, and much more.

Storymakers is open to any published author.

Library literacy centers have been thriving with 1,100 students locally just last summer. Anyone can become involved as a tutor in the library literacy programs. Contact you local library to become involved. Tutors can be of all ages.

Literacy statistics and much more about the organization will be found at www.JulieBellon.com or www.RachelAnnNunes.com.

To schedule a free presentation please contact Nunes at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it