Wednesday, August 6, 2003
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Wednesday, August 6, 2003 |
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People behind Penman Publishing address Fayette Writers Editors note: This article was submitted by Ines Arnsberger Hatch of the Fayette Writers Group.
The Fayette Writers Group was honored to have Mr. Rayford Hammond and his wife, Mary Lee, owners and operators of Penman Publishing as guest speakers. Penman Publishing, located in Chattanooga Tennessee, was formed in 2000, after the couple edited for a publisher themselves for two years. Hammond grew up in North Georgia. A math major in the naval program at Vanderbilt University in Nashville preceded a twenty three year career as a naval officer. During that time he earned a postgraduate degree in computer science and retired as a Navy Commander. "Technical writing was my forte. It is what I learned in the navy.," said Hammond. It was only ten years ago that Hammond developed his specialty: fiction. Since then he has written eight novels, five of which are published and three which he self published. He relayed that he is self taught and said that a true author is also an avid reader. Through the years Hammond extended himself to helping others establish their dreams through heading three different writers groups. His discussion focused on how the self publishing process works. He stressed the importance of editing and working as a team to bring about final proofs and the ensuing book. Questions also lead him to speak about writing itself. He signaled the importance of the connection between fact and fiction and it's believability to the reader. Today he and Mary Lee, his wife of 40 years, have published nearly 150 titles, both in paperback and hard cover. The Fayette Writers Group meets at the Fayette County Public Library every Saturday from 10 a.m.-noon.
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