Award-winning author bringing thrills and chills to local library

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By Miranda Leybourne

Neepawa Press

Craig Russell, a Brandon, Man. author who has published two novels and is working on his third, will be at the Neepawa Public Library on Oct. 27.

Just in time for those seeking excitement and chills for Halloween, the American Moonbeam Gold Medal winner will be doing a reading from his newest novel Fragment, an ecological-flavoured, fast-paced thriller. 

Debbie Unger, branch supervisor at the Neepawa Public Library, says she’s excited to host the event.

“We enjoy promoting Manitoba authors and their work to area residents,” she enthuses, “partly to showcase the amazing talent in this province, but also in the hopes that visiting authors provide inspiration to new and aspiring writers.”

Russell, for his part, is very excited to read a selection of Fragment to Neepawa residents.

“It’s always nice to talk to people,” he attests. “Then you get feedback.”

The novel is about an ecological crisis that threatens the world. 

“Glaciers in Antarctica avalanche and they push the Ross ice sheet, which is an incredibly huge thing, it’s the size of France -- out into the ocean and then of course, the ocean currents start moving it.”

It involves a cast of characters that include scientists at a research station, people aboard a nuclear submarine, reporters and passengers and crew on a cruise ship. 

Russell credits his 20 year theatre experience with his quick, exciting writing style. 

“For me, I want to get the reader right into what’s going on.”

Local book lovers can attend the reading at the library on Oct. 27 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., where they will also get the chance to hear from Russell about the writing process and ask him questions.