Local author releases first book
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EAST LIVERPOOL -- A new book, "Song of the Tree Frogs," by local author J.W. Kitson, relates the story of brothers Michael and Phillip and their tumultuous childhood with their abusive father.
Their father's rage grows worse when he discovers a letter to his wife indicating Michael may not be his real son. What follows is a faith-based tale of two boys who learn the hardest way that love can endure all things.
The book explores topics such as child abuse and the ensuing post traumatic stress disease that can affect victims, while ultimately showing the hopeful future possible with time and healing.
The author is better known in the city as John Smith, a teacher in the East Liverpool City School District, who said the book was actually conceived 11 years ago but sat on a shelf for eight years, collecting dust until a few years ago he and a friend were discussing hobbies.
She requested to read the manuscript, saying she would need a few weeks to get through it due to her busy schedule, Smith recalled.
Two nights later, his friend called, sobbing, saying she had just completed his manuscript. After a two-hour discussion about the plot and characters, Smith decided to pursue a publisher.
He ultimately chose Morgan James Publishing in New York, one of the world's fastest-growing publishers, and signed a contract shortly after a conversation that included the company's president David Hancock.
Smith said Morgan James receives more than 5,000 submissions annually and selects only 12 fiction stories to publish annually.
"I felt very fortunate that they loved 'Song of the Tree Frogs' enough to allow me to be one of their dozen novel selections," he said.
The eBook version was released in November, and the physical book was released to all major bookstores Tuesday.
Smith also promoted the book in a unique way, using his background as a producer, script supervisor and actor with Menning Films, which produced a "book trailer" of the story.
The trailer was recently shown at the premier of Menning's documentary "Gateway to Hope: Overcoming Heroin" with favorable results.
Smith chose the pseudonym J.W. Kitson from his great-grandmother John Washington and Margaret Kitson after a discussion with a Morgan James executive, saying, "(He) has worked with about 2,000 authors, so when he speaks, I listen."
Smith said he has been overwhelmed by the local support he has received for his book and is grateful for local businesses allowing him to hold book signings and selling copies for him. He also expressed his gratitude to Morgan James for cooperating with the local book signings.
For more information and autographed copies of the book, go to http://www.jwkitson.com, which also includes resources and the book trailer.
Books are currently available locally at Adrian's Restaurant, Marty's Pharmacy, The Museum of Ceramics and The East Liverpool Community and Learning Center (formerly Trinity Presbyterian Church).
To schedule a discussion or for book signings, Smith can be contacted through his website or Facebook page at Kitson Books LLC.