MADISON – Local author Steve Stratton will share his expertise with writers wanting to learn the craft at Discovery Middle School.

Author Steve Stratton will meet with Discovery students on Oct. 16. (CONTRIBUTED)

Stratton will visit eight different groups, including language arts classes, at Discovery all day on Oct. 16. “Parents are welcome to come,” Discovery media specialist Missy Jenkins said. “Our teachers are very excited to have an author come speak to the students.”

Jenkins hopes “students will become interested in the author’s book and he will encourage our reluctant readers to read more. (I hope) students will learn more about the writing process and be encouraged to write creatively.”

Stratton, author of “One October” and “Plainridge,” received a degree in business administration from the University of Alabama. He currently works in the banking industry.

“I always talk to the students about writing and how I discovered my love for writing when I was taking advanced-placement English in high school,” Stratton said. “I talk about how I write, self-editing versus working with an editor, the publishing process and cover design.”

Stratton also explains how he arrived at his idea for “One October,” his first book. “Then, I read them a chapter from my book. I always leave time for a question-and-answer session,” he said.

For about two years, his travel to English classrooms has been limited to North Alabama. “However, I would like to eventually travel across the Southeast and country. I enjoy talking with students about creative writing and the publishing process,” Stratton said.

In October, he will visit several schools in Madison County and across North Alabama. A Huntsville resident, Stratton enjoys spending time with his family when he’s not composing a new work.

Jenkins said Stratton’s books will be sold starting Oct. 7. “He will autograph the books on the day of his visit. He will donate a portion of his book sales back to our library,” she said.

For more information, call 256-520-9455, email to stevewstratton@comcast.net or visit Facebook/Steve Stratton or Facebook/One October and Twitter @stevewstratton.