The Writer and the Reader

Written By: Donna Rhodes | Issue: July 2023

Imagine you are an author with your first book under your belt. But you stand alone, staring at a vast landscape of publishers. Your compass is spinning every direction. The path to success feels impossible to navigate. Who will be your champion? Who will guide you along your journey?

Now imagine you are a book lover, your reading glasses perched on the bridge of your nose. You recline on your favorite chaise. A best-seller is propped on your chest at a perfect tilt. As you turn the last page, you have that familiar two-fold feeling: the joy of finishing a good read and the disappointment of not holding the next hot-seller in your hands. But thanks to Kathie Bennet, that next book is on the way.

Kathie Bennet, founder and president of Magic Time Literary Publicity in Spartanburg, South Carolina, is a dedicated author-advocate, bent on connecting award-winning authors to their enthusiastic audiences. She’s all about the writer and the reader. She nurtures writers while establishing author tours to unlikely venues … small town libraries, education centers, country clubs, private homes, and community hubs.

Her formula is not only successful … it’s booming!

She says, “My mission is to hopefully create an opportunity for these books to hit the bestseller list. In the last two years, seven of our books have hit the bestseller list.”

The Highlands-Cashiers area is one of Kathie’s favorite settings. She says, “Summer reading on the Plateau is contagious. These are the books and authors you can enjoy all season.”

Evidence of her success: Center for Life Enrichment and Sky Valley events are growing exponentially. Get to know the writers behind your favorite books this summer by claiming your seat at the following:

National best-selling and award-winning author Katherine Reay will be featured at a Sky Valley luncheon, July 19, 11:30 A.M.

On July 27, Carolyn Newton Curry will be the CLE featured author for a Cocktail Reception and Book Talk: Sudden Death – A Novel” on Thursday, July 27, from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M.; Cost is $70 members/$80 non-members. It’s a murder-mystery set in the world of football, written by the wife of player and coach Bill Curry. After attending Carolyn’s reception on Thursday, be sure to catch Bill Curry and Tony Barnhart’s College Football Preview on Friday. Contact CLE for more information at (828) 526-8811.

Kathie closes with, “Whether you like a mystery, a thriller, a historical novel about Lincoln, or a clever rom-com, this summer and next, we’ve got it all.” For more information, visit magictimeliterary.com or call (864) 706-1484.

Follow-up on more Author Tour details and August events on the Laurel calendar at thelaurelmagazine.com.