Mississippi State University graduate and Attala County native John Floyd will visit the Webster County Public Library on Monday, Aug. 9, at 1:30 p.m. to sign copies of his book of humorous poetry, “Lighten Up a Little” (Dogwood Press, 2020).
Floyd’s appearance marks the first Friends of the Library meeting with an author in well over a year. Librarian Fran Smith welcomes the community back for the event and said that snacks will be provided by the Webster County Friends of the Library.
In 2018, Floyd was named the winner of The Edward D. Hoch Memorial Golden Derringer Award for lifetime achievement in the writing of short mystery fiction. He has nearly 1,500 published short stories and features to his credit since 1994, and his work can be found in nationally read publications such as Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Woman’s World and the Saturday Evening Post.
His first book of poetry, he promises, will hardly draw comparisons to luminaries like Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost and William Shakespeare.
“This is obviously not a collection of serious, profound poetry,” Floyd said. “I was inspired by the works of poets like Ogden Nash and began jotting down some of my little poems about the time I was submitting my first short stories. It was great fun. I found that magazine editors liked that kind of thing, and still do.”
“Lighten Up a Little” collects a total of 300 poems in 12 groups of 25. The subject matter covers everything from love, technology and writing to law and order, sports and general nonsense. Some poems are only several lines long, while others are a page or two. The material is appropriate for readers of all ages.
In a review for The Clarion Ledger, J.C. Patterson said of the book, “Hidden meanings. Double entendres. Down-home humor. You really have to read these poems a second or third time to get all the fun puns and the chuckles … (they) can be read a few at a time or in several sections. They bring smiles and take your mind off the news.”
“This will be John’s very first event to promote ‘Lighten Up a Little,’ as the book was literally at the printer when the shutdowns began in March 2020,” said Joe Lee, editor-in-chief of Dogwood Press. “Not only will this book make you laugh — it really is a hoot — it’s great fun listening to John read aloud from it. He and I are both very excited for him to visit Webster County again.”
The Webster County Public Library is located at 105 W. Fox Ave. To reserve signed copies of “Lighten Up a Little,” call 662-258-7515. Autographed, first-edition signed copies may be purchased for $16 plus tax. For information about all Dogwood Press titles, visit dogwoodpress.com.
