Southern Mystery Author to Visit Snellville for Book Reading, Signing

The book is the fourth in the “Needed Killing” series by Fitts. His previous titles are “He Needed Killing,” “He Needed Killing Too” and “She Needed Killing.”

Fitts and his wife, Anne Gibbons, self-published the books both in eBook and in paperback form. The books are described as “cozy mysteries with a Southern flair.”

Fitts, a former systems administrator, didn’t start writing fiction until 2011 after a tornado swept across the South made him decide to pursue his love of writing. Now 63 and a full-time writer, he says he may have a greater appreciation for his craft than he would have if he were younger.

“Because I didn’t become a full-time writer in my thirties or forties, I have more experience with real life - the life my readers live - than I would have had I started earlier,” he said. “I don’t mean that writing for a living isn’t real - it just doesn’t have much in common with most other careers. Most people have to deal with some form of bureaucracy on a daily basis - as an employee, consumer, or supplier. I think my years in the workforce have given me insights into the day-to-day experiences of my readers. So I’d have to say it helped me to wait before becoming a full-time writer.”

In 2012, the husband and wife team collaborated on a 30-minute screenplay based on Fitts’ first novel. The script was chosen by Emmy-award winning director Tom Cherones of “Seinfeld” and “NewsRadio” fame for his film production course in the University of Alabama’s Department of Telecommunication and Film. Shot on location in Tuscaloosa, Ala., the film was produced by Cherones’ students.

Fitts will talk about the process he uses in writing books and the independent publishing landscape.

“Bill Fitts clearly understands about secrets in small Southern university towns, and his reluctant detective, James F. Crawford, is the kind of guy you'd like to join for dinner - preferably one he's prepared,” said Judy Leavell of SAC.

The event will take place 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, in the Community Room in Snellville City Hall, located at 2432 Oak Road. Admission to the event is free and there will be door prizes.