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Event Fetes Area Artists, Authors

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By LAURA KINSLER

lkinsler@tampatrib.com

Published: January 4, 2009

WESLEY CHAPEL - For Zephyrhills author Susan Harmon, being invited to do a book signing at the new Barnes & Noble Booksellers is "like hitting the big time."

"I am humbled and honored," Harmon said. "To me, it couldn't be better than being on 'Oprah.'"

Harmon is one of 14 local authors and composers participating in Saturday's event at the bookstore in Shops at Wiregrass. She will be promoting her first novel, "Under the Weeping Willow," which is published by Mountain Girl Press. The book captures what it was like to grow up in southeastern Kentucky in the 1950s: everything from devastating floods to bomb shelters and bootleggers.

Although her book is fiction, Harmon said it is based largely on her childhood. "About 85 percent of it is true," she said.

Acclaimed New Tampa poet Sasenarine Persaud will promote his sixth volume of poetry, "In a Boston Night." Persaud spent the 2005-06 academic year as a teaching fellow at Boston University. He said the book was inspired by his surroundings, especially the fall foliage and historic architecture.

Persaud has won national awards, dined with the poet laureate of the United States and been the guest of honor at international literary festivals.

"It's nice to get that kind of recognition in the place where you live," he said.

John Troy, a Dade City resident whose artwork has appeared in Field & Stream and dozens of other outdoor magazines, also will promote his latest collection of "Hilarious Fishing Cartoons."

North Tampa author Steven Adler will promote his latest nonfiction work, "Justice Defeated," about the O.J. Simpson trials. Other nonfiction selections include "Creating Wealth with Your Own Business" by Bayonet Point resident John Love and "Rehearsals: The German Army in Belgium" by Wesley Chapel historian Jeff Lipkes.

Also participating are Jan Bowers ("Bloodline & Aura"), Ann Turner Cook ("Micanopy in Shadow"), Cody Fowler Davis ("Implied Consent"), Carolyn Hennecy ("Orange Blossom Wishes"), children's author Twyla Prindle ("Where Is My Money?"), Mark Russo and Evelyn Johnson Taylor ("Seven Blessing Blockers") and composer Lucille Rose D'Armi-Riggio ("My Matchless Mother").

Barnes & Noble traditionally schedules events to promote local authors and composers. Saturday's book signing will be the first for the new store.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Book signing for local authors and composers

WHEN: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Barnes & Noble,

28152 Pasco Drive, Suite 100,

Wesley Chapel

INFORMATION: (813) 907-7739

Reporter Laura Kinsler can be reached at (813) 779-4617.

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