Local Author Spotlight: William j. Barry

On Tuesday night, I headed to Jittery Joe's Coffee on the Atlanta Hwy for a book signing with local author William j. Barry. He was celebrating the release of the second book in his middle grades fantasy series, Sebastian and the Afterlife. I've read both books in the series and enjoyed the adventure story. While meant for children 9 and up, the series is enjoyed by readers of all ages. Margaret Scanlan, who admits "our family is hooked," recommends reading and discussing it with your kids.

About the Author:

William j. Barry, originally from Augusta, Georgia, attended the University of Georgia where he obtained his bachelor's degree in psychology in 2007. Having written stories since childhood - it was a productive outlet for his overactive imagination - he began writing his first novel in 2009. After a year of shopping the manuscript to publishers and agents, he sold Sebastian and the Afterlife to a small independent publisher in Australia in 2010.

In addition to his novel writing, he has also written and recorded original music as well as pursued his film interests. He appeared as a zombie in the 2010 independent film Pushing Up Daisies.When not busy working on his Sebastian series, William is preparing a screenplay with hopes of filming it in the near future.

William resides in the outskirts of Athens with his wife Amanda. He is currently working on the third installment in the Sebastian and the Afterlife series.

The Books:

Sebastian and the Afterlife, the first book in the series by the same name, was published by The Writer's Coffee Shop in February 2011. In the first installment, readers are introduced to Sebastian, your ordinary teenage boy, except he just died. Sebastian finds himself in the realm between the mortal world and the afterlife. While there, he befriends other teenage spirits as they complete tasks that will allow them to pass into the afterlife. However, not all is peaceful in this magical realm. Soul pirates seek spirit energy in hopes of overthrowing the Grim Reaper and ruling the realm. Can Sebastian save his friends and the realm from Axis Red and his followers while he seeks to reconnect with his high school sweetheart in the mortal world?

In February of this year, to the delight of fans, Agents of the Reaper was released. The gang is back and the soul pirates have learned a few new tricks. The situation is even more perilous given Sebastian's desire to return to the mortal world. Danger doesn't lurk just in the spiritual realm. Can Sebastian save his sister and the realm? Join the gang as they embark on a darker and more dangerous adventure.

For more information on Sebastian and the Afterlife, visit William's website. For autographed copies of books 1 and 2, use the contact form on the website.

Sebastian and the Afterlife (Book I)

Published February 2011 by The Writer's Coffee Shop

ISBN (paperback) 978-1-61213-018-7, $16.99

ISBN (ebook): 978-1-61213-019-4, $7.99

Agents of the Reaper (Book II)

Published February 2012 by The Writer's Coffee Shop

ISBN (paperback) 978-1-61213-093-4, $14.50

ISBN (ebook) 978-1-61213-094-1, $7.99 

If you are a local author who would like to be featured in an upcoming Local Author Spotlight, please email donna (at) girl-who-reads (dot) com. For book reviews and more, visit my blog Girl Who Reads.