Newton Citizen

COVINGTON — An award-winning Georgia author is making a special visit to Georgia Perimeter College's Newton Campus next week.

Ted Dunagan, who won the Georgia Writers Association's Georgia Author of the Year award in 2009 for his 2008 book "A Yellow Watermelon," will speak to a mass communication class and hold a book signing Monday. Beginning at 2:30 p.m., he will speak to a class in Room 1100 of Building 2N.

If you go

• What: Ted Dunagan lecture and book signing

• When: 2:30 p.m. Monday

• Where: Georgia Perimeter College Newton Campus, Room 1100 in Building 2N

• Cost: Free

• More Information: 770-278-1308 (GPC) and www.teddunagan.com

He said he will talk about the rules of journalism in both writing opinionated columns and news stories. The Alabama native resides in Monticello, where he writes columns and features for the Monticello News.

Dunagan also will discuss fiction writing and creative writing. "Secret of the Satilfa," the sequel to his first novel, recently was published. His historical fiction books are published for young adults but interesting to older adults and follow the tales of two 12-year-old boys growing up in the rural south in the 1940s dealing with poverty and segregation.

"There's no easy path to any place worthwhile that you want to go in life," said Dunagan, who has been writing for about 10 years. "It takes a lot of hard work and dedication."

After his lecture, he will hold a question and answer session, followed by a book signing. He also will have copies of his books available for purchase.

"Come out and read a book — you will be smarter than you were before," he said.

The event is free and open to the public. More information is available by calling GPC at 770-278-1308. Dunagan's Web site is www.teddunagan.com.