Local authors hold book signing at library

By PAMELA GRANT

Cove Leader-Press

Fans of authors Cheryllynn Dyess and Screaming Mimi were delighted to have the opportunity for a favorite author to sign their books on Saturday when the pair of local book authors held a book signing at the Copperas Cove Public Library. 

Although both are multi-genre authors, Cheryllnn Dyess is mostly known for her works in the paranormal/fantasy genres while Screaming Mimi is known for her works in the romance/erotica genres.

Cheryllynn Dyess (Cheryllynn Surmans) writes books for young adults and teens. She has written eight books. Her books are generally about coming of age, and are meant to encourage young adults. Dyess also writes poetry. She said all of her books have female leads, and she hopes that her works can be of inspiration to those who read them.

Dyess published her first book, “Calastan,” in 2012. The book was the first in the Jein’s Journey Series, and follows Jein as she learns how to follow her heart and stay true to herself in a matriarchal society that has established roles for men and women. 

“I hope my readers learn to love themselves and be proud of who they are, no matter what that is,” said Dyess. “It’s ok to be yourself.”

Screaming Mimi said she’s been an avid reader all her life. Mimi wrote her first book, “Submitting to Fate”, in February 2015. She never intended for the work to be published. One of her friends read the story and loved it so much that she sent it to a publisher. The publisher loved it so much that it was published right away. 

Mimi now publishes all of her own books. “Submitting to Fate” is the first book in the Fate Series. The fifth and final book in the series, “Fates Assassins,” is expected to be finished in September of this year. The series is all about fate and how it can be kind, and it can be a cruel mistress at the same time, said Mimi. She hopes her readers can get the pleasure of being transported somewhere else. Her goal is to make life less boring, one page at a time.

“I’m a real person. There’s definitely a reality to what I write. I don’t pull any punches, I don’t make it all flowery or use soft words. It can get gritty at times which is what life is like,” said Screaming Mimi.

Renee Arnett came to the event to have several of her books signed by Screaming Mimi.

“They’re honest. They’re raw. They’re not for the faint-hearted,” said Arnett about Screaming Mimi’s works. “They’re not your typical Victorian bodice-ripper kind of books. They’re gritty. There hasn’t been one that I’ve read that at some point hasn’t made me cry…They’re great books. Her ‘Bart’ is her best book in my opinion.”