How Dayton authors and publishers continue the region's rich literary history plus special events celebrating November as National Novel Writing Month.
Celebrate NaNoWriMo Month With Books By Local Writers
Dayton has a proud heritage of producing great authors including poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, humor columnist Erma Bombeck and fantasy/thriller novelist Tim Waggoner. At a local writer’s expo, I met two contemporary local authors, K.W. Taylor and Janean Phillips, who combine elements of each of these genres in their work.
As someone who struggles to get writing projects off the ground, meeting author and lifelong Dayton resident K.W. Taylor is truly inspiring. She balances writing with her career as a professor of English and Women’s Studies at Wright State University. Plus, Taylor achieved something I still dream of doing: writing a novel in a month as part of National Novel Writing Month.
Taylor’s fiftieth publication is an urban fantasy novel titled The Red Eye. The book is a product of the Dayton community, from writing sessions at hometown locations such as Wright State and Ghostlight Coffee, to its status as the first full-length feature release for Dayton micro-press Alliteration Ink. The Red Eye is her second work to feature paranormal debunker Sam Brody, who debuted in the author’s novella The House on Concordia Drive.
One way her novel is unique is that leading character Brody bucks the trend of the typical paranormal hero by being in his mid-30s. So why the age difference? As Taylor explained, “It takes all kinds of heroes.” I couldn’t agree more.
“Like everyone on the planet, I have experienced break-ups, miscommunications, misunderstandings,” Phillips says, “and I have survived it all.”
Phillips not only survives, but thrives.
At Whitt’s End is a collection of poems and narratives that was written in less than two months. The book describes the author’s personal betrayal and other life lessons from marriage, divorce, parenting, and womanhood. No topic is sacred: from blind dates and failed relationships to body image and aging and forgiveness, the collected stories are written with equal parts of humor and tragedy.
Dayton’s Greyden Press publishes At Whitt’s End and Phillips has book signings at local shops where her book is sold including Nonnie Waller’s Parlor, Simply Hyacinth Boutique, The Wood Box Downtown Vintage, and Antiques Village. The author enjoys meeting her fans and spending time with friends, swapping stories from everyday life.
As Phillips writes in her poem Life: A Slice, a Sliver, a Slab, or a Smidgen, “Life is meant to be lived, cherished, enjoyed and expanded. Share what you know, let the love in.”
Follow in the footsteps of these local writers, find inspiration, and celebrate National Novel Writing Month with one of these local events:
- Liven up your writing with the Genre Fiction Fundamentals Primer on Saturday, November 14 at the Rosewood Arts Center. Allison Dickson will teach the class. Cost is $60 for Kettering residents or $70 for non-residents and advanced registration is required. Can’t make this event? Then check out the free mini-primer at the Kettering branch of the Dayton Metro Library on Saturday, November 7 from 10 am – 12 pm. The event is free, but advanced registration is required.
- The Antioch Writers’ Workshop sponsors free monthly mini-workshops at Books & Co. at The Greene in Beavercreek. This month’s topic is Appearance Matters: Manuscript Formatting and Grammar with Kate Geiselman. The event is from 2 – 3:30 pm on Sunday, November 15.
