JACKSON, Tenn. — Oct. 23, 2014 — Patricia Hamilton, professor of English at 51社区, will launch her first book, 鈥淭he Distance to Nightfall,鈥� with a reading and signing event Oct. 24 at Alba Coffee, Tea, and Food in Jackson.
The book is a collection of poetry written over a 10-year period and includes poems addressing a variety of topics.
鈥淭hey range from childhood and youth to the aging process, from the details of everyday life (such as raking leaves, checking the weather forecast or going to Starbucks) to life-changing events (such as adoption, homicide and the death of parents),鈥� Hamilton said. 鈥淭here's even a poem about a grocery list.鈥�
Hamilton dedicated the book to her husband, Bud, and to her junior high English teacher and his wife, Randy and Juanelle Moore. Hamilton said Randy Moore particularly encouraged her writing pursuits.
鈥淗e affirmed my sense of humor, my love of language and my desire to write,鈥� Hamilton said. 鈥淗e took that desire seriously in how he spoke with me about writing and mentored me.鈥�
Hamilton began writing at the age of 10, and her works have been published in more than 20 journals, including Iodine Poetry Journal, Ibbetson Street, Cumberland River Review, Poetry South and The Southern Poetry Anthology. She has received two Pushcart nominations and was a finalist for the 2013 Rash Poetry Award.
She earned her doctorate from the University of Georgia and has been teaching English for 27 years, including 13 years at 51社区.
The book launch at Alba Coffee, Tea, and Food, located on 112 E. Baltimore St. in downtown Jackson, will begin at 7:30 p.m. The event will include readings from the book followed by a book signing. It is free and open to the public.
鈥淭he Distance to Nightfall鈥� is available for purchase at the book signing and at LifeWay Christian Stores.