The Johnston County Heritage Center has published a new hardcover book: Johnston County Literary and Historical Journal, Volume 1. This collection of poems, short stories, and essays—written by locals—celebrate Johnston County as “a fast-growing rural county in central North Carolina whose history dates back to colonial times.” Like much of North Carolina, roots run deep here, but change has come quickly.
Family ties run deep as well: the book is dedicated to the late North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame inductee Margaret Maron, named Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America for lifetime achievement in 2013, and features a piece by her cousin, fellow Johnston County native and fellow NC Literary Hall of Fame inductee (and former NC Poet Laureate) Shelby Stephenson.
Other contributors include NC Writers’ Network members Teresa McLamb Blackmon and Cindy Brookshire.
Published as a fundraiser for the Heritage Center, the book can be purchased online here or at the Heritage Center gift shop, 241 E. Market St. in Smithfield.
An informal reception to celebrate the book’s launch will be held Saturday, February 12, 1:00 pm at the Heritage Center.
Learn more about the Heritage Center here.