Author Dorning to sign book in Blountsville

Stephen ‘S.P.’ Dorning Blountsville Public Library salutes one of the town’s own residents when it hosts a “meet the author” celebration at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16.

Stephen Dorning finished his first book at the beginning of 2009 and entered it into the Blount County writing contest later that year. The story was an odd mix of science fiction and faith. Stars of the Kanri took first place in the contest and was published early in December 2009. He didn’t wait for the fire to cool after competing this manuscript but immediately began work on a sequel, which he hopes to have ready for publication soon.

Dorning, his wife Vicki, and their four children reside in Blountsville, where he was reared and attended high school. Among his Blountsville relatives is his late uncle Danny Dorning, an artist whose beautiful paintings of birds and Blount’s covered bridges grace the walls of many residences and businesses throughout the county.

Dorning’s book published At first, Dorning failed to follow his dream of becoming a writer despite encouragement from his English teacher, Betty Alexander, at J.B. Pennington. After some dabbling in computer programming in college and an even shorter interest in electronics, he was sidetracked by the needs and demands of raising a family. Throughout the day-to-day grind, he never lost his love for stories. An avid reader of science fiction and fantasy, he lists David Gemmel, R.A. Salvator, and Jim Butcher as some of his favorite authors.

In 2006 Dorning turned his life to the church and to serving God as his talents allowed. His faith eventually led him to Mount Tabor Baptist Church, which he had lived near most of his life but never attended. He felt God had led him and his family to this little church, and they became members. He now teaches the young adult Sunday school class there every week.

In 2008 a journalist friend, Kathryn Lang, asked Dorning to test-read her own mystery novel. The story – and encouragement from Lang – rekindled his imagination, and he once more turned to writing as a hobby. Now, little more than a year later, he is a published author.