Since I launched Beyond Shiloh with a group of friends at the Bobbie Jean Memorial Library in Imboden, time has simple disappeared. But being a writer of fiction, I am learning I am suppose to show and not tell so I will show you what I’ve been up to.
My signing table. What an excellent book launching for Beyond Shiloh! So fun!
The officers of the library, dear friends from my years at Sloan-Hendrix: Willene Austin, Margaret Matthews, Sharon Murphy, Me, and the president of the Friends of the Library, Roger Eveland.
On Saturday, December 1, I launched the third volume of my Shiloh Saga. Many of my friends from Imboden have been reading the series, and I was so blessed they asked me to come over to present the third volume in Imboden. I spent twenty-one years teaching at Sloan-Hendrix High School prior to my retirement, and I have many friends from the area who have been so supportive of my writing. I enjoyed seeing people I had worked with, parents I had known, and meeting a couple of new people who have moved to the area since I retired. The newcomers have been introduced to the Shiloh stories through mutual friends. I even got to hug the necks of former students who drove in to see me. One came from Mountain Home, two from Benton, and one from just outside town. I always love seeing my old tadpoles. Beyond Shiloh was well launched, believe me. Thank you to the Friends of the Library.
Mrs. Lillian Pittman and I at a book talk in Paragould.
The next Monday on December 3, 2018, I made a short trip over to Paragould to talk to the Paragould Book Club at the Belle Meade Senior Center. I appreciate the gracious hospitality of Ms. Pam Biggs, the administrator, and her staff for allowing us to use their beautiful facilities. This is my second trip to speak with these great novel lovers. They are so knowledgeable about our part of the state. I think I learn more from them than learn from me. We spent a good while talking about Shiloh…the community where the books are set. One of the ladies told me she had family ties to the community, and family buried in their well-kept beautiful cemetery up near the Greene County line.
The present day Shiloh United Methodist Church built on the site of the original Shiloh Church organized about 1830.
Mrs. Lillian had told me there would be six or seven people there, but it turned out to be about twelve. I sold every book I had taken with me…I still owe her sister two Christmas sets! They wanted books not only for themselves to give as gifts. Believe me it is an humbling experience to be so well received.
Penny Sloan and I at The Spider’s Webb in Walnut Ridge. I’ll be doing a book talk there on December 20 at 6:00 P.M.
I also had the opportunity to go to Walnut Ridge and visit with a local bookstore/giftshop owner, Penny Sloan. Just walking through her store is a delightful experience. She has been offering all my Shiloh books for sometime. She told me they are very popular with her customers. That is always music to an author’s ears. The Spider’s Webb, the name of her business, is located on Main Street in Walnut Ridge. If you are in the area, don’t miss the opportunity to visit her. I’m sure you’ll find some fine last minute Christmas gifts. While we visited, she invited me to come on December 20th at 6:00 p.m. to do a book talk for readers in that area. I’d love to see you there.
Choosing a new career as a writer can keep you on the go. Come and see me at a local event if you have the opportunity. I love to chat with my readers. Bring your books. I’d be glad to sign them.
Merry Christmas and have a blessed New Year in 2019.
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