Despite its spot in front of a huge crowd buzzing with excitement for author Adriana Trigiani’s talk Thursday at Patrick Henry Community College, the podium remained empty. Instead, after an impressive introduction by Dean of Academic Success and Student Transfer Terry Young, a woman’s voice boomed out from behind the audience. She quipped that it sounded like he just gave a great obituary.

Trigiani is the author of 16 bestselling novels, including “Big Stone Gap,” which was made into a movie that she directed. Heads turned as Trigiani, dressed in blue pants, black shirt and denim jacket, walked toward the front of the crowd of about 225. Eyebrows lifted in surprise and smiles formed as she addressed the crowd loudly and expressively, in the style of a stand-up comic.