South Georgia writer Shirley Twiss, author of “Cotton in Augusta” and “Joy in the Morning” will return to the McCormick County Library on Thursday, August 20th at 6:30 pm to discuss her new book, “From Myra to Laura.” Although fictional, this story lets readers see that times may have changed, but people still search for the same things in life—love, justice and peace. The final novel in the series depicts a woman who never loses her optimism or faith.
The evening will include a presentation by Twiss, a question-and-answer session and book signing. Light refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public.
Shirley Twiss grew up in Swainsboro, Georgia. She was an avid listener to the great storytellers of her family. Writing was always a dream, but for many years this took a back seat to her happy life as a wife, mother and teacher. She is now retired, a widow and living in Greenville, SC. Her first book, “Cotton in Augusta,” was published in 2008 and was recognized as a book of merit and nominated for a SIBA award. It is the story of a sharecropper’s daughter who struggles against poverty, prejudice, class and the status of women to raise a strong and successful family. It is a story of love, faith and a woman’s search for meaning in an unjust world. Her second novel, “Joy in the Morning,” continues that story into the Great Depression and World War II. Her third novel completes the life story of Myra who, now a widow, is hurled into the turbulent decades of the fifties, sixties and seventies. Just as she becomes comfortable in her new life, the world she has known faces drastic changes: changes that she must face and accept. The story then transitions from the prominence of Myra to the emergence of her granddaughter, Laura. Even though she leads a different lifestyle, readers will recognize how Laura emulates her grandmother who never lacked optimism and courage in facing the ever changing world.
Copies of her books will be available for purchase. For more information call the McCormick County Library at 852-2821 or email mccormicklibrary@hotmail.com
