Book reading draws standing room only crowd

If local excitement is any indication of a novel’s success, Fireworks over Toccoa is going to be a New York Times best seller.

Author Jeffrey Stepakoff read to a standing room only crowd Thursday night from his book set for release by St. Martin’s Press on March 30, 2010. (You can listen to the reading here: http://www.mainstreettoccoa.com/events/stepakoff_reading.WMA)

Stephens County Historical Society President Cindy Tatum and Toccoa Mayor Bob Troup welcomed Stepakoff to the Mitchell Allen Meeting room at the Currahee Military Museum in downtown Toccoa and spoke about the book’s potential impact on Toccoa’s economy.

Stepakoff was introduced by family member, and local resident, Marvin Tabor.

After reading from two passages in the novel, Stepakoff took questions from the audience. He said he is currently writing his second novel, set in north Georgia, and that he is working on securing movie rights to Fireworks over Toccoa.

Stepakoff gave away a signed copy of Fireworks Over Toccoa to Diane Hewitt and also signed bookplates for those who pre-ordered the book.

Stepakoff will return to Toccoa on March 30 for a community celebration being planned in honor of the book’s release including a fireworks show in downtown Toccoa and several media events.

First Franklin Financial, the Stephens County Historical Society, and [ash-ling] Booksellers have pledged financial support for the celebration.

To find out more about Jeffrey Stepakoff visit his official website (http://www.jeffreystepakoff.com/).