Local author Shannon Hale keeps coming up with winning combinations. With her latest release, the Newbery Honor-award winner (that translates to a runner-up for the prestigious publishing prize) has produced her first graphic novel. That's "graphic," as in comic book.

Hale and her husband, Dean, have collaborated for the first time on "Rapunzel's Revenge," the energy-filled and (not-so-secretly) pro-feminist young-adult novel.

The graphic novel eschews and subverts convention, its story set not in the bucolic forests of fairy-tale land but in the dusty wilds of the American West. And the Hales' Rapunzel is more superhero than tower-dwelling princess. With yards and yards of hair, she lassos villains, fully in control of her world and herself, clearly no victim.

In a further collaboration, the writers have hooked up with Nathan Hale (no relation), a playful illustrator who has created a colorful, energetic blast of a story.

The book itself blasts off with a launch party at the Anderson Foothill Library on Aug. 23, when all three Hales will talk and sign books. And ever the collaborators, they've invited other local authors - including Ann Cannon, James Dashner, Jessica Day George, Kimberly Heuston and Sara Zarr - to sign and promote their own books.

Some might call the event an authorpalooza. But it's more of a combo platter: more like Rapunzelooza with a lot of local spice thrown in, thanks to games and activities and a bluegrass band.

Books are available for purchase at The King's English Bookshop,1511 S. 1500 East, Salt Lake City, the official host of the event. Festivities at Anderson Foothill Library, 1135 S. 2100 East, Salt Lake City, begin at 1 p.m. The library event is free and open to the public.