The Fayette

Writers Group was honored to have Mr. Rayford Hammond and his wife, Mary

Lee, owners and operators of Penman Publishing as guest speakers. Penman

Publishing, located in Chattanooga Tennessee, was formed in 2000, after

the couple edited for a publisher themselves for two years.

Hammond grew

up in North Georgia. A math major in the naval program at Vanderbilt University

in Nashville preceded a twenty three year career as a naval officer. During

that time he earned a postgraduate degree in computer science and retired

as a Navy Commander.

"Technical

writing was my forte. It is what I learned in the navy.," said Hammond.

It was only ten years ago that Hammond developed his specialty: fiction.

Since then he has written eight novels, five of which are published and

three which he self published. He relayed that he is self taught and said

that a true author is also an avid reader. Through the years Hammond extended

himself to helping others establish their dreams through heading three

different writers groups.

His discussion

focused on how the self publishing process works. He stressed the importance

of editing and working as a team to bring about final proofs and the ensuing

book. Questions also lead him to speak about writing itself. He signaled

the importance of the connection between fact and fiction and it's believability

to the reader.

Today he and

Mary Lee, his wife of 40 years, have published nearly 150 titles, both

in paperback and hard cover.

The Fayette

Writers Group meets at the Fayette County Public Library every Saturday

from 10 a.m.-noon.

Back

to the Top of the Page