Six diverse writers will bring mystery, romance, inspiration and dark sci-fi to their “Tips of the Trade” talks at the “Southern Crescent Emerging Writers Showcase,” on Saturday, Jan. 27, at 1 p.m., at the Fayette County Public Library. Moderated by public services librarian Sarah Trowbridge, each author will give a book presentation, have interaction with the audience, participate in a Q&A and sign books. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

“We are so excited to have six incredible authors come to share their challenges of emerging into the world of literature, in all its styles and formats. Fayette County Library values the importance to the community of adding dimensions to what one thinks of as ‘a library experience,’ by presenting a year-long series of events, including speakers, play days, a Celtic special collection and classes for adults and children,” said Chris Snell, director of the Fayette County Public Library.

Stella Cooper Mitchell is author of “Walking Ivy’s Path,” a laugh out loud story about a lovable dysfunctional family. It is a humorous tale about a chubby red-haired girl named Ivy and a lanky, fuzzy-haired boy, George. Ivy’s life mission is to “straighten him out.” “If you have ever felt picked on, not cute enough, not rich enough and you want to get even, this is the book to read,” said Mitchell. For 64 years she has made it her goal to make people laugh.

“Nowhere to Hide,” by Debby Giusti, is a gripping thriller from the first scene as the main character witnesses the attempted kidnapping of her six-year-old son from the school playground, while screaming for him to, “Run, Tyler run!”—this fright just seven months after her husband had been killed. The book is her first to be published and is coming out in April 2007, to be followed by “Scared to Death” in August. Giusti is committed to helping others to become published by offering encouragement, tools and tips of the trade and mentoring. “Everyone has a story to tell,” she notes.

Compelling and inspired, “Journey to a Free Land,” by Theda Robinson Robertson, is a rich, well-documented oral history of the free black pioneers traveling by wagon train from Lexington, Ky. to Nicodemus, Kan.—established in 1877 as the first all-black town west of the Mississippi. Many descendants of the original pioneers remain. A native of Nicodemus, Robertson writes from the heart in this picture book for children and young adults about the hardships of the pioneers’ journey, the pride of the free people and the support of John Brown and the Buffalo Soldiers—an all black regiment of the United States Army—and the Osage Indians. “I wrote this book for our children—all our children—because they are not getting enough black history, the stories are not in print,” said Robertson.

A paranormal thriller, “Greystone,” by Christina A. Barber, is a riveting horror story based on the legends and rumors surrounding the historic Greystone Psychiatric Hospital in New Jersey. “I’ve always been intrigued by the dark side, recognizing that in order to have the light there must the dark. Readers are allowed to experience violent and scary events, but only in their minds—an escape, an alternative. Many of my ideas come from research into mythology, which is a passion of mine,” said Barber. Her next book, “Feely’s Pond,” is based on Chinese myths of dark fantasy, demons and magic. Her non-fiction book, “Ghosts of Newnan and Coweta County,” will be available June 2007.

Patricia Anderson’s book, “Love is a Verb!” is an extension of her life’s work as an author and motivational speaker of Love in Action!—an outreach ministry. Her work appears in print and on television and radio. She poses the question, “What do hurricanes, tsunamis and terrorists all have in common? You may think, ‘Their power to destroy,’ yet, really it’s their power to draw out love, and rouse the human spirit to compassion—love in action. Countless acts of human kindness are displayed during tragedies when everyone ‘stops to love.’” In this practical guide to love, Anderson explores love’s various facets, actions, forgiveness, fear, and emotions. Questions for the reader at the end of each chapter are designed to make you think.

“Beautiful Dreamer, The Life of Stephen Collins Foster” by Ellen Hunter Ulken is her tribute to Foster whose songs explore the range of human emotion—from the melancholy of “Gentle Annie” to the merriment of “Ring, Ring the Banjo.” As a child in northern Florida, Ulken used to swim in the Suwannee River, made famous by Foster’s “Old Folks at Home.” “A daughter of a military father, I was often far from home. The Foster songs called me back home in spirit and gave me comfort,” she said. It is in gratitude of these experiences that Ulken wrote the tribute. Annually, White Springs, Fla. hosts a Foster Memorial Folk Festival, and Bardstown, Ky. honors him with “Stephen Foster, The Musical,”—the book is very popular at both events and kept in stock at the gift shop.

The “Southern Crescent Emerging Writers Showcase” is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by the Fayette County Public Library and the Friends of the Fayette County Public Library. A reception will follow including talks with the authors, a book signing, with books available for purchase, and light refreshments.

The Fayette County Public Library is located at 1821 Heritage Park Way, behind the Fayette County administrative complex in downtown Fayetteville, at the southwest corner of Ga. highways 85 and 54. For additional information, please contact the library at 770-461-8841.

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