Starkville author, publisher returns with new novel

SDN STAFF REPORT

Mississippi State University graduate Joe Lee will sign copies of his new Oakdale series suspense novel, “40 Days,” at The Book Mart and Café at 3 p.m. on March 8.

“This one is a bit different,” Lee said of his new book.

“Same Oakdale, with lots of crazy people, old money, skeletons in every closet and people all up in each other’s business. But there’s a strong faith-based angle to the story as well as a supernatural aspect.”

Lee said the novel takes place in 40 days of real time, ties into the season of Lent, and culminates with Easter Sunday.

“It’s indeed very suspenseful, but in different ways than my previous Oakdale mysteries, and I hope it’s something that makes the reader laugh, cry and think,” Lee said. “I’m excited about the new novel and look forward to seeing lots of old Starkville and MSU friends.”

Lee’s novels have been praised by Sid Salter, Marshall Ramsey, and New York Times bestselling author Ace Atkins. He’s the editor-inchief of Dogwood Press, a small but traditional publishing house headquartered in Brandon, and has published over two dozen books by seven Mississippi authors since 2002. Lee promises three other Dogwood Press titles in 2018.

“John Floyd of Rankin County, one of the top short story writers in the country, has a new collection of short fiction, ‘The Barrens,’ coming this fall,” Lee said, who grew up in Starkville and graduated from Starkville High School. “Late in the year the longawaited second novel from Gulf Coast-area novelist Valerie Winn, ‘The Dance Between,’ will be released.”

Lee said he is especially excited to publish ‘My Crowning Achievement (Beating Cancer),’ an inspirational memoir by Molly May, the former Miss Mississippi State University and current Miss Amory.

“Molly, as a breast cancer survivor with a true heart for supporting cancer patients, has a story that I felt absolutely had to be told,” he said. “It’s coming in August, and I expect terrific response in this area.”

For the first time, Lee will be on a panel at the Mississippi Book Festival at the state capitol in August.

“I’ll be part of a group that discusses the rise of small publishing houses and how authors are chosen and marketed,” Lee said. “It’s a tremendous honor to be included. My authors Susan Cushman, John Floyd and Randy Pierce have all been on author panels at the capitol in the last couple of years. That’s a tremendous feather in my cap as a small publisher.”

The Book Mart and Cafe is located at 120 East Main Street. Admission to Lee’s book signing is free. To reserve signed copies of 40 Days, call 662-323-2844.

First-edition, signed copies are $24.95 plus tax.

For information about all Dogwood Press titles, and to read Lee’s blog, The Little Publisher That Could, visit www.dogwoodpress.com.