Local Author Debuts Novel at Library Event

It was a long time coming for recently published author Barry Wightman, who  said he has had a "pretty good knack," for writing since grade school.

"I was Mr. Responsibility and I didn't know how I was going to make a career out of writing, so I went the cautious route," Wightman said.

Wightman then worked in the technology industry for thirty years. His career allowed him to travel the world — but he always had books and journals packed along for the ride.

In the late 2000s, he pursued a Master of Fine Arts from Vermont College; the degree, he said, sparked the beginning of his debut novel, "Pepperland."

The book is a story of love that also combines the high tech world with rock 'n roll — pulling from his knowledge obtained from his career and his love of music.

"Pepperland is not autobiographical, none of the stuff in that book happened to me," he said. "The way Pepperland is written, is to kind of incorporate (music — choruses, riffs and solos). The way it's written is very intentionally trying to capture the rhythm of that music.

"It is a fun book. It is intended to be fast moving, I wouldn't call it thriller, but its pretty good."

Find out for yourself by attending a book reading where you can also get a signed copy of "Pepperland" at 7 p.m. June 18 at Brookfield Library.