By TIM PRESTON
GREENUP — A 15-minute talk about Kentucky history inspired novelist Stacy Nelson to draft a 295-page manuscript for his latest book, “In the Valley of the East Fork, 1774.”
The author, who was a founding force in the planning and construction of Wolfpen Woods Pioneer Village, will be signing his new book at “Living History Village” near the Rush community on Sept. 12 and 13.
Nelson, 60, is a resident of Greenup County’s W-Hollow where his uncle and renowned author Jesse Stuart lived. He chose the 10th anniversary of the educational sessions at Wolfpen Woods as the perfect opportunity to sign his new book, since that was the place where the concept for the novel was first planted.
“I got the idea while I was there teaching kids,” Nelson said, explaining he was telling youngsters about Kentucky as the extreme boundary for the “western frontier” of the United States around 1774, and the rush of people who explored and battled their way through the mountains while searching for new land to settle.
“It is a story of people who made the journey to tame new land,” Nelson said, explaining the book includes stories of canoe battles, Indian ambushes, tomahawk fights, fort sieges, friendship and romance “which were all a part of the struggle.”
The book’s primary characters are fictional, Nelson said, although the historical background and other characters are based on real people and places. Anyone with an enthusiasm for Kentucky’s history will find many familiar names and events in accurate context.
Paperback copies of “In the Valley of the East Fork, 1774” will be available for $20, Nelson said, adding hardcover versions will also be available for a higher price. The author said he will also have copies of his book “Beneath the Weeping Skies,” a historical Civil War era novel that was released by the Jesse Stuart Foundation about two weeks ago.
If he receives a shipment in time, Nelson also hopes to have copies of his first novel “Gone Native,” available at Wolfpen Woods Pioneer Village.
For more information about Nelson’s historical novels and interests, call him at (606) 473-7571.
TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.
