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Writer provides “Insight” at local library events

Oct 31, 2016 04:01PM ● By Chris Larson

Book cover of the novel, “Insight,” by Terron James. James hosted two events with the Salt Lake County Libraries in September where he signed books. (terronjames.com)

By Chris Larson | [email protected]



West Valley, Utah - Writing is Terron James’ passion, but his true love is teaching.   

“One of the main reasons I wrote my book series is, as a teacher, I totally understand we are cramming academic material down our students throats like crazy,” James said. “They need an excuse to find that love for reading again.”

James is the author of the Beholder Series. He is also a middle school English teacher at Excelsior Academy in Erda, Utah. 

“That’s a tough age, they really need someone who cares about them teaching them,” James said of his students. 

James hosted two events in September with the Salt Lake County Libraries, one at Hunter Library on Sept. 17 and another at the Sandy Library Sept. 21. He held a meet and greet at the Hunter Library with the 15 people who attended. There, he also held a drawing and signed books. 

At Sandy, James held a slightly more formal question and answer session with several youth who attended as part of a youth group activity. Many questions focused on his inspiration for the books, the writing process and his thoughts on other popular fiction works. 

James originally self-published his first book, called “Insight,” in 2011. As he went on a local book tour promoting his own book, he signed a deal with Provo-based Jolly Fish Publishing. After a jacket redesign, the book was re-released in 2012. He then released the sequel “True Sight” two years later. The third and final book, “Foresight,” is slated for release in April 2017, James said. 

James and literature experts call the series fast-paced high fantasy. James believes that the story is clear enough for youth to enjoy the book as a pleasure read while adult readers will appreciate the motifs and themes — like the question of right and wrong and the danger of preconceptions — that connect well to modern issues. 

James connected with the Salt Lake County Library author visit program after an employee at the Hunter Library realized that they had attended the same high school. 

Liesl Seborg, senior librarian for adult programing and outreach for the Salt Lake County libraries, said that the library system holds many author events ranging from local artist festivals to local writer panels or small or individual writers hosting a writing workshop.

“We find that our patrons really enjoy being able to connect with authors, the creators of the stories they enjoy,” Seborg said. 

Seborg also said that most events held in the Salt Lake County libraries are free to the public. She said that the mission of the author visitor programs is to connect authors to library patrons and provide unique and educational experiences to the public. 

If there is a message in his book and in the author visit programs, James hopes it is that people learn the importance of questioning preconceptions, rumor and snap judgments. 

“The more you investigate something, the clearer things get,” James said. “If people would learn about people and understand them more they would realize that there is really nothing good worth really fighting over.”

But for James, what is most important for him is teaching. “If it ruins my writing career, so be it,” James said. “This is definitely more important.”

October and November are full of scheduled individual and group author events at several Salt Lake County library locations, Seborg said. Details for those author events can be found at slcolibrary.org.