Many authors covering many genres had books for sale at the Central Florida Book & Author Expo on Saturday at the Eisenhower Recreation Center. Several of the authors at the Expo had books covering more than one genre.
Mary Flynn, a former greeting card writer for Hallmark and International Conference speaker for Disney retired in 2013 to write full-time. She published three children’s books with a traditional publisher, but when she switched genres, her most recent book a magical realism novel for adults entitled Margaret Ferry, she went the Indy route. “When you work with an agent that takes time, then they have to sell your book, then the publisher has it for a while, all total that can take up to three years,” said Flynn. “I am 76 years old, that is too much grass growing under my feet.”
To understand the concept of magical realism, Flynn says to think of the movie It’s a Wonderful Life, “everything is real in the movie, the people, the settings and then Clarence the angel enters the picture.” Her novel is set in 1950’s Brooklyn. The gift of a vintage shawl starts a series of mystifying events that ultimately transformation one family. Flynn also gives talks to groups and clubs titled “Confessions of a Hallmark greeting card writer.”
Author Larry Martin has published 21 books and figures he covers about seven genres. He is not sure where to classify his latest book, titled Visit to Sunnyville. This novella centers around a strange object that lands on the golf fairway in a large retirement community that has an uncanny resemblance to The Villages.
“It is written tongue-and-cheek about The Bubble we live in,” said Martin.
In the book the landing of the object causes national panic, the National Guard is brought in while the president tries to calm a nation.
“The main concern of the residents of Sunnyville during this crisis is whether they are going to be late for tai chi or their golf time,” said Martin.
Written with humor Martin says he believes that Villagers, although they like to stay current with the news, really don’t want anything impeding with their lifestyle. As a doctor Martin began writing non-fiction books about his work in pulmonary medicine. Ten years ago he entered the world of fiction and finds it a much tougher gig. He credits the Villages writing community, “I think The Villages is a great place to nurture writers,” said Martin.
Another writer whose work covers more than one genre is Mary Lois Sanders. Known to many in the Villages writing community, Sanders is one of the original members of the Writer’s League of the Villages and leads her own critique group. Sanders will be moving to Texas and is looking forward to having more time to write. Her foray into historical fiction began with magazine articles of which one became a book for middle schoolers titled Down from the Mountain. This book has become a series about the Revolutionary War and she has also published historical fiction for young adults and adults.
The Eisenhower Recreation Center was filled with book lovers and many authors offered incentives to visit their table. Some went the traditional route with candy, author Don Canaan brought a life sized cardboard replica of Abraham Lincoln and wore a stovepipe hat topped with a crown. He wanted to draw visitors to his table to talk about his time travel books which he describes as a comedic, timeless romp through history. Following a career as an editor for NBC news and Good Morning America, Canaan started his career writing adult mysteries, His latest series of time travel books is geared to the young adult audience.
The next Central Florida Book & Author Expo, sponsored by the Writer’s League of the Villages, will be on Saturday, Dec. 8 at the Eisenhower Recreation Center.
