CEDAR RAPIDS—John Sandford regaled a crowd of 300 with stories from his writing career Tuesday night at Washington High School, his alma mater. The bestselling author of the “Prey” series of thrillers told the audience that the Cedar Rapids Public Library was essential to his development as a writer. He recalled a summer spent reading over 100 books that helped him understand the components of the kind of fiction he would one day write.

The event was part of Out Loud! The Metro Library Network Author Series, a joint project of the Cedar Rapids, Marion, and Hiawatha Public Libraries which is funded by the Giacoletto Foundation.

Monetary donations were accepted for the flood ravaged Cedar Rapids Public Library. All told, the event raised $2800 to help the library recover.

“We couldn’t be more pleased,” said series coordinator Rob Cline. “Mr. Sandford’s presentation was delightful and we’re so thrilled that the audience responded with such generosity to help the library.”

Sandford’s presentation was the final Out Loud! event of 2008. The series also presented youth author Bruce Hale and novelists Elizabeth McCracken and Edward Carey this year. The series is funded for two more years.

The Giacoletto Foundation was established in 2007, fulfilling the wishes of the late Giacoletto brothers. Born in Clinton, Ind., John worked for Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids and Lawrence was a professor of engineering at Michigan State University.

Media support for the Out Loud! series has been provided by The Gazette.

Additional information about the series can found at www.metrolibrarynetwork.org.

Look for an interview with Sandford in the Sunday, July 20 edition of The Gazette.

The Out Loud! author series is a joint project of the Cedar Rapids, Marion, and Hiawatha Public Libraries and is funded by the Giacoletto Foundation.

John Sandford is the pseudonym of the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist John Camp. Camp was raised in Cedar Rapids, graduating from Washington High School in 1962. He received a B.A. in American Studies and an M.A. in journalism from the University of Iowa. He began writing thriller novels in 1990 and has written 18 novels in his bestselling “Prey” series, including the latest entry, Phantom Prey.

“While we would have loved to have presented Mr. Sandford at Theatre Cedar Rapids as we originally intended, we’re pleased to have the opportunity to bring him back to his alma mater,” said Out Loud! series coordinator Rob Cline. “We’re also pleased to give folks the opportunity to donate to the Cedar Rapids Public Library to aid in flood recovery efforts.”

The event is free and open to the public and no tickets are required. Seating will be available on a first come, first served basis. Doors open at 6 p.m. The Cedar Rapids Barnes & Noble will provide book sales at the event and Sandford will sign books following his presentation, which will include a question and answer period with the audience.

The Giacoletto Foundation was established in 2007, fulfilling the wishes of the late Giacoletto brothers. Born in Clinton, Ind., John worked for Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids and Lawrence was a professor of engineering at Michigan State University.

Media support for the Out Loud! series has been provided by The Gazette.

Additional information about the series can found at www.metrolibrarynetwork.org.

Washington High School is located at 2205 Forest Dr. SE, Cedar Rapids. Map.

Monetary donations will be accepted for the Cedar Rapids Public Library.

All Out Loud! events are free and open to the public and no tickets are required. Seating will be available on a first come, first served basis. The Cedar Rapids Barnes & Noble will provide book sales at the event and Sandford will sign books following his presentation.

Edward Carey will read from his latest work on May 15 at 7 p.m. at Theatre Cedar Rapids with his wife Elizabeth McCracken.

The Gazette story is available online in the e-edition. Go to www.gazetteonline.com and click on “Read The e-Edition.” Select the Sunday, May 11 issue and see page L3.