Events
East Rowan Grad at Literary Bookpost
Former Rowan County resident, and East Rowan High School graduate Gary Carter will sign copies of his new book at Literary Bookpost on Saturday, February 27th, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Carter is currently a resident of Charlotte, where he is a writer, editor and consultant. Formerly an award-winning journalist, he has previously published short stories and poetry as well as essays on a variety of subjects.
Carter’s novel, Eliot’s Tale, is somewhat of a reverse coming-of-age story and road trip. As 50-year-old Eliot looks back on his life, he sees the things that are done, and undone. He sets out on a quest to discover what has been right in his life, what has been wrong, and where to go next. Roaming on his road trip from Mississippi to Virginia to Arizona, and points in between, he encounters friends and strangers who lead him toward his answer. And all the while, he follows the guidance on a piece of a poem, taped to his dashboard, that reads “What we call the beginning is often the end/And to make an end is to make a beginning/The end is where we start from.
Carter’s hefty novel, almost 500 pages, is currently available at Literary Bookpost for $19.95 in trade paperback.
Appalachian Trial Hike Author at Bookpost
Tom Moose, born in 1982 and raised near Richfield, North Carolina, will be at Literary Bookpost on Saturday, February 27th, 1:30-3:30 p.m. signing his just released book about his Appalachian Trial experiences. Moose is an Eagle Scout and graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Recreation Management. In 2006 Moose hiked the Appalachian Trial.
Moose’s memoir of hiking the trail is somewhat humorously titled Only the Things That Matter: Yet Another Appalachian Trial Memoir. And, from the front cover photo, to some of the many included photographs, to the short graphic spread, to the epilogue, and finally to the fictional promotional “blurbs” on the back cover, the book does have a rambunctious blend of humor as well as an accurate retelling of Moose’s adventures hiking the trail. All Appalachian Trial thru-hikes are amazing adventures, and this recounting is, as Moose himself proclaims, yet another one.
Moose has more adventures planned. He is hoping to hike the Pacific Coast Trail this year, sponsoring his new adventure with proceeds from the sale of Only the Things That Matter.
Two writers representing Main Street Rag Publishing of Charlotte will hold a joint workshop/discussion on getting work published at Literary Bookpost on Saturday, January 30th, beginning at 1 p.m. Toward the end of the workshop, the writers will open the floor for questions and further discussion. Finally, following the workshop, both writers will read from their most recent books and hold a book signing.
Writer Anne Clinard Barnhill has been writing or dreaming of writing for most of her life. For the past twenty years, she has published articles, book and theater reviews, poetry, and short stories. Her work has won various awards and grants. Fred Chappell has given Barnhill outstanding mention for her work. She hold an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from UNCW. Her most recent book, from which she will read at the conclusion of the workshop and which she will be signing, is What You Long For: Stories.
Maureen Sherbondy grew up in Metuchen, New Jersey, and now resides in Raleigh. Her short stories have appeared in numerous publications, including Southeast Review, Stone Canoe, The Chapel Hill News, and the North Carolina Literary Review. Both her short stories and her poetry have won a variety of awards. She has received notable mentions from writers who have previously visited Literary Bookpost, including Joanna Catherine Scott and Anthony S. Abbott. Sherbondy will be reading from and signing her most recent book, The Slow Vanishing: Stories.
Literary Bookpost anticipates this workshop to be of great benefit to aspiring writers in the local area, especially those who are seeking first publication or wish to explore the alternatives available in the publishing world for new or established writers. No pre-registration is required to attend this workshop, which is open to the general public. The workshop and signing is expected to last approximately two hours.
The RiverRun Film Festival Road Show comes to Literary Bookpost with shorts and previews of the larger festival held in Winston-Salem in April. Sponsor United Beverage will be set up to provide beverages for those in attendance at the screening.
Historian Clint Johnson will speak and sign copies of his new book, A Vast and Fiendish Plot: The Confederate Attack on New York City, Saturday, March 27th, beginning at 4 p.m. Johnson is the author of ten books, eight of which has focused on the American Civil War.
Born in Florida, Johnson and his wife now live in the mountains of North Carolina. His ancestors include Civil War soldiers from Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. He is active as a civil war re-enactor, portraying both Confederate and Union soldiers. In researching A Vast and Fiendish Plot, Johnson spent days poring through old newspapers and 1864 maps of New York City tracking down the details of the plot to burn down the city.
On November 25, 1864, eight confederate officers attempted to destroy New York City with a series of lethal fires. The officers were fueled by rage due to the Union’s killing of their beloved General John Hunt Morgan and the burning of the Shenandoah Valley. That the plot did not succeed is somewhat of a miracle despite the audaciousness of the scheme. A Vast and Fiendish Plot reveals shocking facts about the treacherous alliances and rivalries that threatened nineteenth-century America and brings out the truth about this little-known and stunning event.
Dan Barefoot, popular North Carolina author and frequent visitor to Literary Bookpost, say of A Vast and Fiendish Plot: “Clint Johnson meticulously details a long-neglected chapter of Civil War history. His well-researched volume yields a vivid, fast-paced account of the intriguing Confederate attempt to cause mayhem, confusion, and destruction. Johnson weaves a fascinating story that is sure to captivate readers.”
At Literary Bookpost Johnson will give a brief reading and hold a short discussion of his new book, followed by a book signing and reception.


