Posted 12:33 am Monday, March 31, 2008
Author, Author
East Texas Writers Create Offerings For Summer Fun
Just in time for summer reading, a series of newly published books from East Texans are making their way to local shelves.
MYSTERY TRAVELER
Patricia Upchurch of Tyler just published a mystery adventure, based in part on her love of reading and earlier travels as an airline stewardess.
An author signing event for Ms. Upchurch's first published work, "Summer Blessings," is planned from 1-4 p.m. Saturday at Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 4916 S. Broadway Ave.
"I'm a voracious reader," she said. "I wrote several little books for my grandchildren with them as detectives. I love words."
The former Dallas native took her writing a step further, creating an adventure-filled tale wrought with humor and suspense.
Former newspaper columnist Mary Ellen Wilson holds her niece, Nolie, who is now 18 months old. Ms. Wilson drew inspiration from the impending birth of her niece and created “Cutie Patootie” — a portrayal of the world as experienced through the eyes of an unborn child.
Her latest novel tells the story of a family that fell into quick money and soon found itself embroiled with the criminal element that includes kidnapping and money laundering.
A plane crash, nervous breakdown and encounters with nudists add to the roller-coaster humor and intrigue.
The only thing missing is bad language.
"There are no bad words," she said. "Start to finish, it took about one and one-half years to write because I would start and stop. I'd work on it a while and then set it aside."
"There are no bad words," she said. "Start to finish, it took about one and one-half years to write because I would start and stop. I'd work on it a while and then set it aside."
She credits the marvels of computer technology with helping move toward conclusion.
"I would have never gotten it finished on a typewriter," she said.
For her next body of work, Ms. Upchurch is working on a series of "cozy" mysteries, based in part on the personalities of ladies in her Wednesday bridge club.
"That means there's not a whole lot of blood, sex, gore or bad words," she said.
For Mrs. Upchurch, life is an adventure filled with endless ideas for future work.
"I'm an eavesdropper," she said. "I love to listen to other people's conversations. It's marvelous."
The book is available for $19.95 through Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com.
SMALL WORLD
For Mary Ellen Wilson of Elderville, the impending birth of her niece Nolie stirred a desire to create something meaningful for the new arrival.
A former newspaper columnist, Ms. Wilson decided to write a book, the "World According to Cutie Patootie," a portrayal of the world as experienced through the eyes of an unborn child.
By telling the story from the vantage point of an unborn Cutie Patootie, Ms. Wilson hopes young children can better understand the adventure they had coming into the world and how much their parents anticipated the event.
Encouraging words from friends and family compelled her to pursue a copyright and publication.
Within months, the opportunity she hoped for finally arrived: a publication offer.
"My initial reaction was disbelief," said Ms. Wilson. "I remember how many publishers received the manuscript of Jonathan Livingston Seagull before it was finally accepted for publication and I had just sent it to one company. After I stopped jumping up and down and giggling, I realized I might really be an author."
The soft cover book, released late in 2007, retails for about $8.99 and is available through Barnes and Noble Booksellers, Hastings and Amazon.com.
TRAGEDY REVISITED
The community of Golden is among the settings in a new novel released by a former graduate of Alba-Golden High School.
Curt Collier's new book, "Blood and Tears," is a fictional look at events that unfolded along the Trail of Tears, which refers to the forced 1838 relocation of the Cherokee Nation from their land in Georgia to present-day Oklahoma.
At least 4,000 Native Americans died along the route, also called the "Trail Where They Cried."
The setting stretches from southern Missouri to eastern Oklahoma and into Collier's old stomping grounds in Wood County.
Collier, who makes his home in Fort Smith, Ark., weaves together historical events and present-day fictional character to create a contemporary tale of horror, betrayal and danger.
"There is very little that is as frightening as the common, the mundane, the everyday places in which we find ourselves," he said.
Collier's "Blood and Tears" is available from Ingram Book Group, Baker and Taylor and iUniverse, with future availability offered through Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million.
Publisher's price for the book is $9.95.
For more information about the author or to order a copy, call 1-800-AUTHORS.
For more information about the author or to order a copy, call 1-800-AUTHORS.
