COLD LAKE - The author of a recently released contemporary fiction novel, The Sound of Crickets, is going to make a stop at the Cold Lake Public Library, South Branch, on April 4.
The Sound of Crickets hit the shelves March 15. Published by Ace of Swords, the novel focuses on four brothers and the story is told from a dual point of view between the main female and male lead characters. Set in a fictional town in the modern-day period and told in two parts, this second chance story follows a five-year timeline. In the first part, the characters are in their early 20s. The second part follows the characters into their late 20s.
The author, who goes by the pen name M.L. Mercy, and makes her home in Blackfoot, Alta., is looking forward to coming to Cold Lake, on April 4, to share her debut novel. She will be doing a reading, answering questions, and signing copies of her book at the Cold Lake Public Library, South Branch at 6:30 p.m.
"There is no cost to attend, and everyone is welcome," says Cold Lake Public Library director, Leslie Price.
Before this book, Mercy had her poetry published in several Canadian magazines. In December, the same publisher of her novel will be releasing a collection of her poems in a chapbook entitled, The Making of This Woman, which are poems she wrote between the ages of 15 and 40.
Her poems are published under her real name, Myrna Richter. When she is not writing, she can be found working at Lakeland College in Lloydminster.
In 2024, AOS will be publishing the book that follows The Sound of Crickets, (title not yet stated) which will be about a second brother. Although Mercy thought she would be self-publishing her first novel, she was able to get a deal with the Montreal publisher after her editor read her book.
After nine to 10 months of writing the first draft, and three to four months of editing it, she heard back from the publisher three weeks later and they wanted to sign her.
Mercy explained, "I always wanted to write a novel but never tried. But I am friends with some indie authors and was inspired to try. They were cheerleaders for me.” She added there is a huge community of indie writers that can be found on social media under various hashtags.
