Staff Writer
Edward “Ted” Blanchard, of Presque Isle, will join other local authors for a book-signing and reception on Saturday, June 27, at Lion’s Share Used Books, located at 31 Herschel St. in Caribou.
Blanchard recently went to press with his first novel, “Laura,” the story of Rich Landers, a Maine man who joins the Army, then returns home to a career in the lumber industry. Adding conflict to the work is Landers’ struggle with love involving the title character and how time works its magic for the couple. The book was decades in the making, according to Blanchard.
“It’s an Army story, where hard work and love intertwine. It’s my first novel — I basically finished it 30 years ago and spent the last three tweaking it a bit,” said Blanchard.
Blanchard said he’s always loved writing and at one time had about 23 pen pals from all over the world.
“I still have a couple and still love to write. This is my first attempt at writing a novel. I’ve also written a few short stories,” said Blanchard.
The novel idea remained dormant for years, as Blanchard served as a local postal worker for 29 years in Presque Isle. Characters in the book are loosely based on some of the folks he met during his four years in the military.
“I was born in Presque Isle, didn’t stray far from home. I was in the Air Force for four years. That’s where I got some of my information from,” he said. “That’s actually what got me started. I wondered what folks did when they got out of the service.”
Blanchard said he’s never taken a writing class but has always enjoyed putting pen to paper. He credits a former teacher for inspiring him to complete his first full-length work of fiction.
“Over the years, one thing stood out. When I attended Gouldville School, I wrote something and my teacher commented she liked it. That’s always stood out — served as my inspiration to keep at my writing,” said Blanchard. “People should do what they enjoy.”
Blanchard said he’s received positive response from those who’ve had the opportunity to read the text.
“My children and grandchildren have read it. I’ve sent it to friends in Australia, England, California — all over the place,” he said. “My wife, Dalice, doesn’t write, but she commented favorably and encouraged me to print it.”
Written on a typewriter, Blanchard had one of his four daughters adapt it to more modern technology.
“She put it on a Memory Stick and took it from there,” said Blanchard. “My daughters have been very supportive of this. In fact, that’s a big reason I had it published.”
The self-published novel is available at: Merchants on the Corner, in Presque Isle; at Ann McHatten’s shop next to Presque Isle Middle School; as well as on Monkey Publishing’s Web site, www.monkeypublishing.com.
“They publish a lot of local work. That’s why I decided to go with them,” said Blanchard of the Caribou based publisher.
For more information about the author or his novel, contact 769-4181.
Blanchard will join other local authors in Caribou on June 27 for the store’s first-ever book-signing event.
“We’re hosting a multiple book-signing carnival with a number of local authors, including Ted, Cathie Pelletier, Wendy Koenig and her husband, Vince,” said Carla Cavender of Lion’s Share Used Books.
The gathering is designed to support local writers, giving the public an opportunity to meet the authors and learn more about them and their work. The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cavender said it was while taking a course taught by Koenig that she came up with the idea for the session at the shop.
“We’ve been in business about two years. This will be our first book-signing. I took a course with her and that’s where I got the idea to hold such a gathering. Wendy has experience with such, having operated her own shop in Presque Isle. Response to the idea has been really good. We’ve gotten a lot of local support,” said Cavender.
Cavender said a lot of her business has been from visitors to the area.
“Folks come here to visit or vacation and want something to read. We’ve seen a lot of tourism-related sales,” said Cavender.
The store carries a variety of publications: old and new, children’s works, fiction, non-fiction and more.
“We also handle special orders too,” said Cavender.
For more information, visit the store during business hours, Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or call 493-4808.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
TIME WORKS ITS MAGIC for the characters in Edward “Ted” Blanchard’s first novel, “Laura.” The local author will be in Caribou June 27 for a book-signing carnival at Lion’s Share on Herschel St.
