The 7th annual Lehigh Valley Book Festival returns this weekend, but Friday night gave readers and writers a prologue.

Before the crowds arrive, the focus is on a first look at The End Bookstore, where authors gathered for a reception ahead of the main event.

“Tonight we are hosting an author’s reception for authors that are in town, from out of town, so that they can come and say hi before their big day tomorrow,” said Kirsten Hess, owner of The End Bookstore and founder of the Lehigh Valley Book Festival.

That “big day” will bring more than 40 authors and a full schedule of events to the area.

Among them is Edward Ashton, who traveled from Rochester, New York, and is promoting his seventh novel, After the Fall, a post-apocalyptic story.

“It’s always great to meet people who have read my books or who are interested in reading my books,” Ashton said. “It’s great to work with independent booksellers too.”

Ashton said events like this give authors a chance to connect in ways they typically cannot.

“It’s nice to get out and see human beings,” he said. “It’s nice to connect with people who have loved your work. It’s nice to connect with other authors to speak with your peers.”

Kevin McCloskey, who taught art at Kutztown University for 30 years, is also taking part in the festival. His books focus on what he calls “misunderstood creatures,” including worms and caterpillars.

“A lot of what you do when you’re a writer is sitting all alone and you don’t know if anybody knows that you exist,” McCloskey said.

Rob Osler, who traveled from San Francisco, is at the festival with his Harriet Morrow Investigates series, including The Case of the Murdered Muckraker.

“You hope that they’ll find an audience and that people will read them and enjoy them,” Osler said.

Bart Bailey, a local author from Macungie, released his book It’s In Our Bones last year, focusing on personal reflection and the stories that shape people’s lives.

“I believe in storytelling that offers us a window into somebody else’s life,” Bailey said.

For organizers, that sense of connection is exactly the goal.

“Reading is for everyone,” Hess said. “This is a way to expose people that aren’t big readers to all sorts of things.”

The main festival takes place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Bethlehem Area Public Library, with additional events continuing through the weekend.