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Robert Inman-Journalist, Playwright, Poet, Novelist to Speak at Belk Library and Information Commons June 19

June 16, 2014. Robert “Bob” Inman, a favorite Southern author will read from his latest and fifth novel, The Governor’s Lady on Thursday, June 19 at 3:30 p.m. on the campus of Appalachian State University. The event is part of the Summer Author Series sponsored by Appalachian State University Libraries and the Richard T. Barker Friends of the Library Board. The event is free and open to the public.

arts-BookerThe Governor’s Lady is receiving high praise from fellow writers of Southern literature, including Lee Smith who notes, “Robert Inman hits the ground running and keeps up the pace in this suspenseful page-turner, which takes us behind the headlines as a Southern governor’s wife assumes the office herself so he can run for president. The real question is, how does Robert Inman know so much about state politics, public marriages and human nature?”

The answer to that lies in Inman’s background. He has been writing since he was a teen, and has been involved in politics or reporting about government for nearly his entire adult life. Many know Inman as a television news anchor who took Charlotte viewers into the world of local, state and national political affairs for more than 23 years at the helm of WBTV news. Many may not know he also serves as press secretary for a governor of Alabama. He says his wife jokes that they fled to North Carolina as political refugees.

The Governor’s Lady is loosely based upon Alabama Governor Lurleen Wallace, who succeeded her husband George in office. But Inman says that is where the similarities end.

“It is a modern day political tale that could be set in any Southern state. This has been percolating for a long time,” Inman said. “It was a natural progression to tell this story.”

Storytelling is what Inman is all about. Whether writing as a journalist, a playwright, a blogger or a novelist,

“The language of the way you present it is different,” he said. “But I am still trying to get into the head, the heart and soul of the characters I’ve created. It comes naturally to me. I grew up in a large, rowdy storytelling family in Alabama.”

Inman credits his mother with instilling a love of books in him, by reading to him from an early age. Inman also holds a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Alabama.

The Summer Author Series Lecture will be held in room 421 of the Belk Library and Information Commons. It will begin at 3:30 p.m. with refreshments and a book signing to follow. Free parking is available in the attached parking garage. For more information contact Lynn Patterson at 828-262-2087.