After three unsuccessful tries, a TR Campus student has succeeded in writing and publishing a novel.
Forgotten Labegedd I by Tarryon Desso was released by Xlibris, a self-publishing company, and is on sale online in both electronic and hard copy formats.
The story concerns Tabitha Douglas, an unwed teenage mother in New York in the early 1920s, who receives help from unlikely sources in a hostage situation.
“The message of the book is to appreciate those whom God has placed in our life,” Desso said. “Be thankful for those who help us.”
In the online author’s blurb, Desso writes that he was born in Magnolia, Ark., and enjoys writing in part because “I can share a few stories of mine without displaying my ‘country’ accent.”
The 313-page book was proofread by three TCC faculty members, including Gary Whitby, who complimented the writing and recommended students read it.
“It is well-written by a student, and the subject matter is very interesting,” Whitby said. “I like the style, and it is very effectively written.”
Desso had begun three books earlier but never saw one to completion. Now, with the first one published, he plans to continue writing, and his ambition is to become a well-known author.
“I know how it feels for some people who want to write a book and don’t know where to start,” Desso said. “That is a not a problem for me since I have done it before.”
Joshua Schumacher, an English major who shares an American Literature class with Desso, said it is difficult to write about the world one doesn’t know. He planned to buy Desso’s book.
“I was inspired by him,” he said. “I don’t know how old he is, but I am impressed that a student in my class wrote a book.”
—Chan Mon
