Just in time for Halloween, readers were able to enjoy a new collection of spine-tingling tales about the Ozarks.
Mysteries of the Ozarks, Volume IV, published by High Hill Press, was released Oct. 10 at the Ozark Creative Writers Conference in Eureka Springs. The collection of 29 original stories, both fiction and non-fiction, was compiled by Ellen Gray Massey. All of the stories in the collection were written by authors residing in or with strong ties to the Ozarks of Missouri and Arkansas.
Ghosts, ice specters, and a three-eyed woman appear in the anthology. Readers are also welcomed to travel through invisible doors and meet a woman of great vision. Historic figures such as Ma Barker join contemporary accounts of a haunted hotel in Hardy, Arkansas.
This is the fourth book inthe series of mystery books sponsored by Ozark Writers, Inc., a non-profit organization whose goal is to encourage writers in the Ozark area and to promote their work to the world.
Gravette’s Crow Johnson-Evans works in the dental office of her husband, Dr. Arthur Evans. Between working, traveling and spinning yarns, Johnson-Evans wrote the short story “Miss Henrietta's Invisible Doors.”
Before settling in Gravette, Crow Johnson-Evans traveled, performed, recorded, and taught songwriting.
“The job of crafting a compelling story without using music, instruments, volume and textured vocal styles is a wonderful challenge,” she explained.
Johnson-Evans added that living in the area provides her with both inspiration and a community of support.
“We are very lucky to have so many authentic voices writing in the Ozarks,” shesaid. “The encouragement within this community is golden.”
Evans-Johnson is a member of the Spavinaw Writers Guild, a group of local authors who meet biweekly to offer mutual support and critiques of current projects.
Radine Trees Nehring, another member of the Guild and author of the To Die For series, has also been featured in previous Mysteries of the Ozarks collections. Her most recent contribution to the Mysteries series, “Pumpkin Jack,” is set in the Ozark Folk Center State Park.
All four volumes of Mysteries of the Ozarks ($16.95) are available at select bookstores, Amazon, and online at www.owinc.webs.com. For more information on Ozark Creative Writers. Inc., visit www.ozarkcreativewriters.org.
Editor’s Note: Gravette resident Leslie Olson is also a contributing author in Mysteries of the Ozarks.
Opinion, Pages 6 on 11/02/2011