Best-selling author coming to Hartwell on Saturday

New York Times best-selling author William Paul Young will be in Hartwell on Saturday. Young, who is from Canada, is the author of “The Shack.”

In an interview, Young said he had written primarily as a way to create unique gifts for his friends until his wife repeatedly urged him to write something for their six children in order to put down in one place his perspectives on God and on the inner healing Young had experienced as an adult. The resulting manuscript, that later became The Shack, was intended only for his six kids and for a handful of close friends.

Young initially printed just 15 copies of his book. Two of his close friends encouraged him to have it published and assisted with some editing and rewriting in order to prepare the manuscript for publication.

After rejection by 26 publishers, Young and his friends published the book under the name of their newly created publishing company, Windblown Media, in 2007. The company spent only C$200 in advertising; word-of-mouth referrals eventually drove the book to number one on the New York Times trade paperback fiction best-seller list in June 2008. “The Shack” was the top-selling fiction and audio book of 2008 in America through November 30.

Young will appear at the Hart County Fine Arts Center on Saturday, Jan. 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Admission is free but donations will be accepted. Seating will be first come-first served.

The event is hosted by Encounter Church.

For more information call 706-550-3277.