Just one year after Chaz Bono’s introduction of the transgender community to America via his appearance on “Dancing with the Starts,” the Kentucky Book Fair extends an invitation to transgender author and Versailles resident, Alana Nicole Sholar, to participate in their 31st annual event. According to information found at their website, the Book Fair is Kentucky’s premier literary event and one of the largest of its kind in the nation and is operated by a non-profit independent board of volunteers, with co-sponsorship from the State Journal (Frankfort’s daily newspaper); the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (a state government entity); the University Press of Kentucky; and Joseph Beth Booksellers, Lexington, Kentucky. “I guess you could say I was a little discouraged when we first contacted Connie Crowe, Manager of the Kentucky Book Fair, and asked how one goes about participating in the event. Ms. Crowe explained that participation is ‘by invitation only,’ after an author selection committee reviews submitted books. She also shared that ‘nearly 400 books are submitted annually.’ With only enough space for about 150 authors to participate, I just assumed I was probably wasting my time submitting my memoir, “Hung in the Middle: A Journey of Gender Discovery.” I assumed being self-published with the help of EWH Press, the number of books vying for participation in the event, and, of course, the possible controversy of inviting a transgender author to participate, there was no way I’d receive an invitation. But, I assumed incorrectly,” said Alana Nicole Sholar. “Of course, I’ve held book signings at and participated in several GLBT (gay, lesbian, bi, and transgender) events. However, being a transgender author invited to participate in an event as prestigious as the Kentucky Book Fair is not only a great honor, but it’s huge for the community,” shared Sholar. Chapter 1 and Alana’s “Interview with the Author” are available at www.hunginthemiddle.com. The book can be purchased online at the website, at Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, and BarnesAndNoble.com. The 31st annual Kentucky Book Fair takes place on Saturday, November 10, 2012 at the Frankfort Convention Center.