My friend, GA, recently introduced me to a writer named Carl S. Horner. Although I haven't actually met Mr. Horner in person (we did speak briefly on the phone), I look forward to the opportunity when he comes to NYC next week to promote his new book, A Hole In the Wind, which happens to be published by GA's company, WD Publishers.Horner's A Hole In the Wind, unlike a certain "little piece" of a book, admits to blending fiction with the author's personal experiences of a difficult childhood. Like the book's protagonist, Colby Fowler, Carl Horner grew up with an alcoholic mother and experienced the pain of being bullied for most of his life.
The issue of bullying and its devastating effect on young children and teens has been a hot topic in the news, and on talk shows like The Oprah Winfrey Show, Dr. Phil, and The Montel Williams Show. The National Education Association estimates that "160,000 children miss school everyday due to fear of attack or intimidation by other students." Those numbers, in addition to his own experiences, have compelled Horner, a college English professor, to join the campaign to get the word out about this disturbing situation and put a stop to it, in large part through the messages of his first novel, A Hole In the Wind.A Hole In the Wind tells the story of Colby Fowler, a teenage boy dealing with issues of bullying by his peers, and the loneliness and lack of self-worth that occur as a result. Set in the competitive sport of bicycle racing, Colby faces the struggles, and eventual triumph, of trying to fit in with his teammates at school, and maintaining his sanity with his drunken mother at home.
The reviews, so far, have been good, and according to letters the author has received, it's powerful message has already saved at least one teenager from committing suicide. Also, students at Landrum Middle School have been so touched by the healing power of A Hole In the Wind that they have rallied the entire Landrum, Florida school district to write a letter recommending the book as a topic of discussion on the Dr. Phil Show.
As of this writing, I've only read a couple of chapters, but I do look forward to reading the rest. So far, from what I can see, it's going to be a page turner—and quite possibly, a tear jerker.
