Huntsville may be most famous for its rocket scientists but we have our fair share of creative thinkers too, including published authors.
Here’s a few authors who call Huntsville home who you may not have heard of.
Sarah Belanger
Writer and photographer Sarah Belanger wrote North Alabama Beer: An Intoxicating History after Free the Hops successfully raised the ABV of beer in Alabama, which in turn increased the types of beer sold in the state. “I’d always enjoyed beer – after 21 of course – but suddenly there were so many different styles and flavors.”
Before the book, Sarah wrote about the Huntsville craft beer scene for several local magazines and blogs. When she heard about the book opportunity, she jumped on it.
“Before writing the book I had no idea how interesting the story of beer was. It is the second oldest brewed beverage. In the 18th century, it was an essential part of farm families nutrition. And it was so important during the voyage to America, when the Mayflower started to run low, they kicked the pilgrims out in Massachusetts instead of Virginia. The book explores the people as well as the history of this fascinating, extraordinary beverage.”
Buy it locally at Harrison Brothers Hardware, Snail on the Wall, Huntsville Botanical Gardens, or Burritt on the Mountain.
Catherine Knowles
Huntsville native Catherine Knowles set her books right here in her hometown, creating fictional stories based on actual events and people from Huntsville history.
The Doughnut Tree and its prequel White Dove go back in time to the early 1900s and the life of Huntsville Madam Molly Teal. It’s part Huntsville history, part suspense, and part adventure.
Catherine said readers enjoy the Huntsville history and how she uses a blend of real and fictional characters to go on a journey to a time and place they’ve never been.
Buy them locally at Huntsville Botanical Gardens, U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Harrison Brothers, Snail on the Wall, Burritt Museum, Huntsville Museum of Art, Lawren’s, Star Market and Lee’s Magic Tunnel car wash.
Georgina Cross
If you love a good suspense story, check out Georgina Cross.
Her books will appeal to locals too as they are set in places you’re familiar with. Her first book The Stepdaughter is set in historic Twickenham in downtown Huntsville, and her second book The Missing Woman is set in an exaggerated version of Hampton Cove where she used to live. “In both storylines, suspense, secrets, and lies abound among families who tried for far too long to pretend everything was all right.”
Be prepared for lots of twists. She likes to throw in a few red herrings and lead readers down one path, then another, before the final twists and reveal. “I hope readers enjoy the journey and the layered approach to my writing knowing they’ll be entertained and left guessing along the way.”
After a full career in television news, marketing, business development and, most recently, workforce director for the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce, Georgina is now a full time writer. She has two more books due for release later this year and two more books planned for 2022.
Buy it locally at Snail on the Wall.
Daco Auffenorde
Daco Auffenorde writes psychological thrillers. Her first book Cover Your Tracks tells the story of a pregnant woman who survives a horrible train crash and is stranded in the wilderness with a former soldier.
“I was always intrigued with the opening scene of the movie The Fugitive, which unfolds with a train crash. I began with my love of trains and that scene, added to that the idea a catastrophic train wreck in the remote wilderness, high in snowy mountains, and double-downed the trouble by asking myself what would happen if only two people survived the disaster.”
When not writing, Daco is painting, hiking or birdwatching. “I often like to include birds in my novels and especially in the children’s stories that I one day hope to publish.”
She has several more books in the works, including another psychological thriller, an espionage novel and a few children’s stories.
Buy it locally at Snail on the Wall.
Jennifer S. Kelly
Huntsville technical-writer-instructor-turned-full-time-writer Jennifer Kelly was inspired by her lifelong love of horse racing to research and write her book Sir Barton and the Making of the Triple Crown about America’s first Triple Crown winner Sir Barton.
Even if a reader isn’t a fan of horse racing, Jennifer said Sir Barton’s historical moment and the compelling stories behind the people around him make this a story worth diving into.
“Horses have always been a part of our history, and horse racing itself is the oldest sport in this country, with the first races in our country taking place long before the Revolutionary War. Sir Barton’s story intersects with the end of World War I and the beginning of the Jazz Age in the United States, a transitional moment in our nation’s story.”
Buy it locally at Snail on the Wall.
Special thanks to Lady Vowell Smith, owner of Huntsville independent book seller Snail on the Wall, for recommending some of the authors in this post. She has signed copies of books by Georgina Cross, Daco Auffenorde and Jennifer Kelly available for purchase.
Blogger: Heather Smith
Heather is proud to be a Huntsville native. Starting out as a newspaper reporter, she’s has had a blast with a very diverse writing career with stints at NASA, the U.S. Army, a leading biotech institute, the tourism industry, and now building materials. She is a tried and true “boy mom” raising two teenage sons, Finn and Caden, and dog mom to two pups, Hudson and Molly. Also a big fan of all things Disney and addicted to office supplies and coffee.
Guest blogger for We Are Huntsville. Are you interested in writing a post for our site? Email katelyn@wearehuntsville.com.
Thrilled to be mentioned by We Are Huntsville! So important to have local support!! Thank you, Heather Smith!!