Local writers to share 'Meet the Authors' event

Three Vernon County authors and one former native are all featured in a just-published book, Mysteries of the Ozarks, Volume III, compiled and edited by Ellen Gray Massey.

This book of 26 short story mysteries, both factual and fictional, is written by authors from the Ozarks or who have a strong tie to the area. In addition, all the stories take place in the Ozarks.

Two regular columnists for the Nevada Daily Mail, Nancy Malcolm and Carolyn Gray Thornton, have stories included. Doris Faye Quakenbush of Nevada, with her first published story, is the third local author. Massey, a Vernon County native now living in Lebanon, Mo., also has a story included.

These four have invited Laura L. Valenti, a Missouri writer from Lebanon, to join with them in this celebration of new books since her latest work, Between the Star and the Cross: The Choice, was also just published this year. Valenti is coming to Vernon County as a guest speaker of the Nevada Branch of AAUW and Nevada Rotary Club that same week and is joining her friends in this "Meet the Authors" book signing celebration.

The April 27 come-and-go event is set for 5 p.m.-7 p.m. at the Nevada Public Library community room, is designed to give readers and friends a chance to stop by on their way home from work for a chat, view these two new books and others the writers will have on display. And of course, there is always the opportunity to purchase the books. Copies will also be donated to the Nevada library.

Mysteries of the Ozarks, Volume III, was made possible by a grant from Ozark Adventures Inc. in Branson, Mo., to Ozark Writers Inc., which published the anthology. The writers group is a not-for-profit corporation that encourages writers living in the Ozarks, offers workshops and appearances to help beginning or seasoned writers more opportunities to have their work published. They also want their published works to enhance the appreciation of what the Ozarks area offers.

Vernon County is just at the edge of the Ozarks, so the members of the board of directors of Ozark Writers Inc. were pleased to have three selected submissions from the county. Quakenbush has written throughout her life for her family and friends, but is thrilled to have this story published.

Malcolm is well known for her Sunday column in the Daily Mail, as well as many other special features she has written.

Thornton has published four books, one in partnership with her sister, Ellen Gray Massey, and writes a weekly column, "Middle Age Plus," and Senior Page articles for the Daily Mail. Ellen Gray Massey has written historical novels, many about the Civil War in Missouri, as well as a biography of an Ozark writer of the past, and other features about the Ozarks.

The authors hope they will be able to talk personally with many new and old friends at the event.