The Lipscomb community gathered Thursday in Beaman Library to honor local author George Spain with a book signing.
A Lipscomb alumnus and retired health professional, Spain is a well-known author in the Nashville area. The writer has been published in the Williamson County Historical Review and in an anthology for the Written Word entitled Gathering: Writers of Williamson County.
He spent the afternoon shaking hands and introducing his newly published book, Our People: Stories of the South.
Spain also read several excerpts from the book.
A historical fiction writer, most of Spain’s stories are set in middle-Tennessee and range from the 1700s down through slavery and the Civil War Era. Our People is a culmination of 16 short stories. The characters themselves are fictitious, but Spain said his inspiration comes from real individuals.
“The inspiration I guess is just things out of my past, my wife’s past, which are interesting enough to tell people about,” Spain said. “I take those little bits of truths and create something that’s not-truth.”
Spain attributes his career to Lipscomb professors and close friends who encouraged his writing talents.
“I probably would have given up if it hadn’t been for people listening to my writing,” Spain said.
“Very early on I started out writing poetry,” Spain said. “I wrote poetry for years and years, and a few short stories. When I started to retire, a few people said, ‘You ought to write.’”
Spain credits his talent to his love of literature and encourages young authors to read constantly.
“As Dr. Landiss said to me: read a lot of poets,” Spain said. “If you’re interested in poetry, interested in creative writing, or if you’re interested in history or biography, read a lot. I read a lot of comic books as a boy. I read a lot of funny books and classic comics.
“I’ve read all my life,” Spain said.
Spain’s next novel to be published is titled Lost Cove. Set in Franklin County, Lost Cove is expected to be released sometime this year.