Local authors discuss works, sign books at Mayodan Public Library

Lisa Snedeker
Correspondent
Published: September 27, 2008

MAYODAN - Poetry, cats, murder, mystery and the ancient scrolls of the Koran were all part of the third annual Local Authors’ Night at the Mayodan Public Library.

More than 30 book lovers turned out Monday to listen to excerpts from seven authors and have books signed.

Participating authors were Dena Harris, Maxine Crane, Georgianna Penn, Guilio Dattero, Marilyn Swinson, Mollie Williams and Rick Eichhorn. Library director Jay Stephens moderated the event that was sponsored by the Western Friends of the Library.

Harris, who was a librarian before becoming an award-winning full-time writer, has written several humorous novels about cats, including “Lessons in Stalking ... Life With Cats” and “For the Love of Cats.” She’s also contributed to several Chicken Soup books, among others. Harris, who offered advice and tips to aspiring writers, says about 70 percent of her time is devoted to magazine writing and corporate communications. “I write cat books on the side,” the Madison resident explained.

Crane of Stoneville is the author of “Ask for Nothing,” a true story based on life in Madison County, Va., from 1846 to 1925. Crane, who is a former English teacher from Culpepper, Va., said she interviewed people over a 30-year period for her book that focuses on Frances Henderson, whom Crane’s family adopted.

“Her mother dropped her off when she was 5 years old and asked that she always stay at that house so that

she could find her,” Crane explained. “Her mother never came back. This is a very popular book for anyone growing up in Madison County or the country.”

Penn of Madison is a poet who said she learned to write while attending Greensboro College. After living in Los Angeles, Tennessee and other parts of North Carolina, she said “it’s fun coming home.” She told the group she rediscovered herself through

putting together several years of sketches, poetry and

her faith, which eventually evolved into “The Many Languages and Peaces of God.”

“Writing is a gift,” she said. “I didn’t set out to write a book.”

Dattero, a captain with the Reidsville Police Department and 26-year police veteran, was the only returning writer to the forum. He read an excerpt from his second crime novel, “Revenge, My Valentine,” which picks up where his first novel, “Bloody November,” left off. “Bloody November,” published in 2006, introduced his protagonist police detective Clark Dixon from the fictional town of Stuartsboro. In the latest novel, Dixon tries to solve a 50-year-old murder after receiving a phone call on a snowy Valentine’s Day.

“I wanted to write about a realistic approach to crime in a small town,” Dattero explained. “The sequel is more a police procedural than a who-done-it. I wanted something more cerebral, so why not use an old case, a cold case.”

Swinson, who teamed with her friend Williams, to create “Taking the Long Way Home,” said “our book was written over a lifetime. It is written in a story of a journey.”

The collection of poems by Swinson of Stoneville describes her Christian journey beginning from childhood. Interspersed throughout the book are stories from co-writer Williams of Mayodan. Both women read excerpts from their book.

“If it was not for her (Swinson), I would not be part of this,” Williams said about her friend.

Rick Eichhorn shared some excerpts from his new fiction novel, “The Scrolls of Tora Bora: Hafsah’s Recension,” which was written under the pseudonym, Demi Kaeffer.

“I wrote the book as a reaction to 9-11 because it really changed the world and I wanted to know more about what happened,” he said before reading an excerpt from the thriller, which is based on fact. “It seemed that Islam was the primary causative factor. Most people don’t know much about Islam and I wanted to change that.”

The book raises questions about the history of Islamic faith. The action focuses on the discovery of scrolls by U.S. Marines searching for intelligence information in a cave in Afghanistan following 9-11. The scrolls go back to when the Koran was written.

“By the time you read the book, you will understand much more about Islam and the Koran,” said Eichhorn, who is also from Stoneville.

The next library author event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m Oct. 22 at the Reidsville branch. Anna R. Hayes will discuss her book, “Without Precedent: the Life of Susie Marshall Sharp.” The book, published by the University of North Carolina Press, recounts the story of the first woman judge in the state.

• Lisa Snedeker is a freelance writer who lives in Madison.