By Arden White | Staff Intern
Ever wondered what walls would say if they could talk? Well, they do in local author Maura Satchell’s new book, “The Gray Lady of Long Branch.”
“The Gray Lady of Long Branch” is a fiction novel about a Victorian home in Long Branch, New Jersey. The home itself is the narrator of the story and tells about the many people that have resided in the home throughout the years. It is Satchell’s second book.
“I definitely think it’s a beach read,” Satchell said. “There are so many interesting stories about the people who stayed in the house. For example, the house tells a story of a group who stayed there for a few days on their way to the first Woodstock.”
Satchell is having a book launch party from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at Krazy Kup Cafe, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Boulevard.
When Satchell was a child, she stayed in a home very similar to the one in the book in the beach town of Long Branch.
“I guess it really made an impression on me,” Satchell said.
But the idea for the book came when she was staying at a Florida beach house that belonged to her sister-in-law, a celebrated artist.
“I like to think I tapped into her muse there and just imagined what it would be like if those walls could share what they’d witnessed, since it is where she goes to create,” Satchell said.
Satchell has always been involved in writing. She wrote her first poem around age 6. As an adult she worked as a reporter in Tennessee, while maintaining her blog, MauraSatchellArtist.com, on the side. She took up art after her children came home from serving in Iraq.
“When I was a child my father would take us to the library as a kind of treat ordeal, and throughout my life I have spent a lot of time reading,” Satchell said. “But when I started writing more frequently, I found that it was a great way to express my emotions.”
In fact, both of Satchell’s parents also took up the hobby of writing.
“My father was a very powerful writer, but he mainly focused on nonfictional pieces,” Satchell said. “But when my mother passed and we were going through her belongings, I found multiple notes and stories that I didn’t know about before.”
Satchell moved to Plant City in March 2012 with her husband, David, from their Tennessee home. Since then Satchell has been working for Publix and exploring parts of Plant City.
“I just love how comfortable the Krazy Kup feels, and I think it’s the perfect venue,” Satchell said.
Krazy Kup owner Frank Trunzo is “very excited” about hosting the party.
“My family and I are very much involved and supportive of all the arts,” Trunzo said. “We always want to embrace the community and make everyone feel welcome.”
During the party there will be refreshments. Satchell will also be signing copies of her book, published by Four Pillars Media Group, and reading a selection from the book at 2 p.m.