Although I’ve lived in North Carolina all my life, until yesterday I never had the pleasure of going to the charming town of Kernersville. Located in Forsyth County, the town is aptly described as the “heart” of the Piedmont Triad.
Along with about fifteen other authors, including my talented editor and friend, Judith Geary, the acclaimed author of the Getorix book series, I had the pleasure of attending the Fall Book Fest hosted by Shakespeare & Co. Bookstore.
I met many new faces, but one of the highlights was re-connecting with dear friend, Anna Sandelli (pictured on the far left), who now lives close by. I had the pleasure of working with the UNC journalism major for two years at Chapel Hill and I’ve enjoyed watching her star rise.
This experience was just another reason I hope to return to Kernersville in the future. History abounds in this small town, from the founding in 1756 by an Irishman to a visit by George Washington in 1791. The town is named for Jule Korner, a German immigrant who left his mark in the form of a mysterious Victorian mansion known as “Korner’s Folly.” WIth 22 rooms spread over 7 levels, don’t you bet this place could inspire a novel (or two)? I can just picture H.T. making a visit, getting lost and locked inside.
We’ll have plenty of creepy adventures ahead in my follow-up novel, Born Again, Dead Again. Here H.T. attends a Halloween gathering populated by “prombies” (zombies frozen in their high school prom attire) and a mysterious Celtic-themed dancer named Boudicca who guards the secrets of a growing list of dead men. Stay tuned for a preview just in time for Halloween!
Ashley Memory 