TTU author Janet F. Whiteaker to appear at book signing on Saturday, Nov. 15

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (Nov. 5, 2003) – Tennessee Tech University assistant professor and Academic Development program coordinator Janet F. Whiteaker can now add another title — published author — to her resume.

Her first novel, a mystery-suspense thriller about mistaken identities and the power of friendship, entitled Ariana, was released recently by the 1st Books Library, and Whiteaker’s first book-signing appearance will be from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, at the Family World bookstore on Cookeville’s Interstate Drive.

“I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember,” said Whiteaker, who teaches developmental English at TTU. “I’ve always loved words, and it always makes me feel good to think my teaching might have been a positive influence when one of my students develops a new-found love of words, too.”

But Whiteaker’s positive influences don’t end in the classroom. The suspenseful plot of her novel combines with wholesome main characters to create an ultimately positive message for readers.

“I think the most important thing for any writer is to maintain his or her integrity,” she said. “I want my book to appeal to people of all ages, for example, so it’s written in such a way that both adults and younger readers can appreciate it.”

In addition to Ariana, Whiteaker has written four yet-unpublished mystery-suspense manuscripts. They are What Kind of Fool, The Wrong Place, Wolf Canyon and The Keeper.

The oldest and most successful print-on-demand publishing company, 1st Books was founded in 1997. For more information about books by Whiteaker and other authors, visit its web site at www.1stBooks.com.

--Tracey LeFevre
This information posted 10 November 2003