Authors celebrated as event makes its return
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SARAH CAVACINI/Palatka Daily News – Father and son Seth Alexander and James McGregor stand at a table with their respective books during Putnam Writes!
Excited conversations floated around Putnam Writes! on Thursday as local authors showcased their craft to at least 100 attendees.
Putnam Writes!, which took place at the Woman’s Club of Palatka, marked the event’s return in at least four years. Authors came from across Putnam County and beyond to meet residents at the event, which One Book One Putnam and the Putnam County Library System hosted.
Mischa Johns, the archivist for the library system, said about 25 authors attended and organizers had to turn down up to 10 authors.
“I think it’s gone fantastic,” she said. “We have fantastic authors in Putnam County, and I can’t wait to do it again.”
Authors of Children’s books, fantasy novels and historical tomes attended Putnam Writes!, but those were just a few genres represented.
A father-son duo, Seth Alexander and James McGregor, displayed each of their writings. While they both are authors, they write their own separate books.
McGregor, 77, said he published his “Alex, Cherokee Assassin” book series in 2018, and Alexander, 40, published his first novel in 2019.
Alexander set most of his books in the Jacksonville Beach area, where he lived before residing in Georgetown, where his father also lives. Alexander began writing when he attended the University of North Florida, he said.
His five-book series centers around a private detective who suffers from Wilson’s disease, “a rare genetic disorder characterized by excess copper stored in various body tissues, particularly the liver, brain, and corneas of the eyes,” according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders
The main character in Alexander’s books, Flynn Dupree, is an unlicensed private detective who tries to help others throughout the series, which begins with “False Light.”
McGregor said he enjoyed Putnam Writes! because he met new authors while having already known others in attendance. He enjoyed catching up with the writers he had not seen in a while.
Alexander, who also pursues photography and sells his work at markets, said he and his father often attend events together.
“I wish cities did more events like this,” Alexander said. “I’d like to see more.”
