On December 14, 2011 a new book featuring twelve stories about Columbus, Ohio, written by twelve Central Ohio writers will hit shelves locally and nationally. A free release event to commemorate Across Town: Stories of Columbus will be held at Kafe Kerouac on Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 7:00 p.m., featuring readings from the book, live music and giveaways.

Across Town will be the third anthology from Columbus Creative Cooperative, a Columbus publishing group.

A collection of twelve stories at least partially set in Central Ohio.

The book will feature stories by well-known Columbus authors, as well as include the work of developing talent. The publisher selected twelve stories from a multitude of submissions with the stipulation that every story must be at least partially set in Central Ohio. The accumulated body of work is not only an impressive literary work, but a tribute to the vibrant talent in Columbus, Ohio, and the great metropolis itself.

“This book is fantastic for three reasons,” explained CCC director Brad Pauquette. “First, Columbus, Ohio is fantastic city. Second, of more than 3 million people in our little metropolis, we’ve got some great writers. Finally, Columbus is a diverse, amazing city with enough venues, neighborhoods and suburbs to house any story.”

Although all of the stories are fictional, the narratives of Across Town feature real Columbus landmarks, including The Ohio State University, the topiary gardens, Franklin Park Conservatory, Northstar Café, Big Walnut River and Via Vecchia Winery.

The book will be distributed nationally and sold at local retailers, including, among others, all Cup o’ Joe coffee shops and the Ohio Statehouse Museum gift shop. Following the December 14, 2011 release, the book will also be available for Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, iPad and on Google Books for other e-reader devices. Columbus Creative Cooperative’s first two books, Origins and Overgrown, have met a great reception locally, and are both 5-star books on Amazon.com.  Across Town will join Columbus Creative Cooperative’s first two anthologies as featured books at www.selectauthors.com.

Currently, readers who choose to pre-order the book on the publisher’s website, www.ColumbusCoop.org, by December 10, 2011 will receive free shipping.