Story of redemption by Rome author Raymond Atkins is 2016 One Book/Many Voices choice

For the first time, the One Book/Many Voices board has chosen a local author to be the focus of the annual program and essay contest.

Raymond Atkins, who has lived in Rome for nearly 30 years, authored four Southern fiction books and recently completed a book of essays, will be the speaker this year.

One Book is a communitywide initiative that seeks to foster literacy, promote discussion and build community through reading. Every year, the board selects an author and book to be the focus of a communitywide read.

Atkins’ newest fiction book, “Sweetwater Blues,” is this year’s One Book choice.

“I’m just tickled about that,” laughed Atkins.

The book is a good fit for the organization’s mission, because its story promotes discussion, Atkins said.

It tells the story of a young man on his graduation night who goes out celebrating, drinking and inadvertently kills his friend in a car wreck. The book covers the 10 years after this watershed moment in the young man’s life and how he has to deal with the consequences of what he did.

“It’s a book about choices and fallibility and redemption,” Atkins said. “I was inspired to write it because, well, I have four children. There were days when they were growing up that I spent most of my time with gritted teeth, worrying about whether they were going to be OK.”

The key to his main character is that he “was a good kid who made bad mistakes,” Atkins explained.

“He has to become an adult overnight,” Atkins said. “He tries to make his mistakes right. I think his story inspires people to think and to talk about that.”

Atkins, who teaches English at Georgia Northwestern Technical College, said he is looking forward to working with the schools as part of the One Book program.

“I like teaching young people and I will enjoy working with the high schools,” he said. “My own kids went to Rome City Schools, and this is something that will mean a lot to me.”

While he has traveled a good deal, promoting his books, lead- ing discussions and signing, he is especially filled with anticipation for the One Book experience.

“To be recognized in your hometown, that makes you feel good,” he said. “Plus, the past authors chosen by One Book are kind of like an all stars lineup, so I find myself in good company.”

With his book of essays — “South of the Etowah” — coming out in March, Atkins has quite a bit on his plate, but he continues to mine his experiences for his writing.

“I am categorized as Southern fiction,” Atkins said. “Most everything I do is from the perspective of the Southern small town. I do like trying different types of stories, though.”

He tries to write using universal characters, he added.

“I think people like to read stories about people they recognize a bit,” he said. “They think ‘hey, I know someone like that’ and it makes the story more relatable.”

He admits he may never try the one particular genre that seems to be booming lately, though.

“Zombies seem to be a big hit right now,” he laughed. “I think I’ll leave that to other folks.”