From 10:30 a.m. to noon May 24, author William Clark will return to Common Grounds Coffee Shop, 119 W. Washington St., Hartford City, for his eighth annual book signing at the shop.
The locally owned coffee shop in downtown Hartford City is hosting the event with Clark, a contributing writer to “Chicken Soup for the Soul.” Clark’s grandparents, William and Bertha Clark, and parents, Bill and Mamie Clark (and five brothers and sisters from each side of the family) are from Hartford City. Clark has contributed a story in “Chicken Soup for the Soul’s” new book, “Miracles and the Unexplainable – With 101 true, phenomenal stories.” Clark’s story took place in Waldron and Shelbyville, Indiana.
“It’s about Norman, a World War II veteran, who fought in the Battle of the Bulge,” said Clark. “I was Norman’s friend and pastor.”
Clark will have a collection of new and used “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books with him, including reprints of the original 1993 bestseller. He will also be signing his short story collection, “A Walk on the Sunny Side.” Six of the 23 stories in the collection are connected to Muncie and two of those are also connected to Hartford City. Clark will have his other books, including a trilogy, and his story in Chicken Soup’s “The Magic of Cats.”
Clark is also the author of “Smoky Mountain Rising; The Day That Changed Everything,” which was released last year. It is the final part of a trilogy that he began with “A Light on the Path,” and continued into “Seeing Beyond the Shadows.”
For those who haven’t read previous two novels, “Smoky Mountain Rising” will update on events from the previous books. The trilogy deals with characters fighting to save traditional American values from those with more socialist views. The main character is from Muncie and his parents are from Hartford City. Other major settings in the novel include Lafayette, Indianapolis and Washington, D.C.
A graduate of Ball State University, Clark, like the character in his novel is also from Muncie and his parents are from Hartford City.
“Growing up, I spent almost every Sunday afternoon in Hartford City,” he said. “We had our reunions at Hoover Park. My parents, Bill and Mamie Clark, were from Hartford City. My grandparents William and Bertha Clark started raising their family on E. Franklin Street in Hartford City in 1911. Many people in Hartford City remember my dad’s brother and sisters, Darrel. Esther. Ginny, Violet and Donne. They also remember my mom’s brothers and sisters, Sam, Woody, Inez, Ruby and Nila.”
Though he now lives in Jefferson City, Tennessee, Clark frequently returns to the area to visit with friends and family.
“I have a lot of fond memories of my time spent in Hartford City, and I plan to keep returning here on a regular basis,” he said.
Clark is working on a new story that takes place primarily in Hartford City. Clark is also working on a new book that should be released next year.
