By Staff
April 23, 2003
J. Channing Proctor says he has two homes Meridian and Atlanta.
Proctor describes his first novel, "Seasoned Rookie," which takes place mainly in Meridian, as part fiction, part autobiography and part fantasy.
It follows the story of Rain Henry as he returns home to Meridian on a jet that lands at Key Field.
Rain is here to be with his father who has suffered a heart attack and has other medical problems. He must gather the courage to enter the same hospital were he, as a 13-year-old boy, spent many a night as a young patient battling a childhood illness.
Readers will recognize many places and names in Proctor's book including College Park Shopping Center, Jeff Davis Academy and Okatibbee Reservoir.
Proctor's young years were spent in Meridian and his late teen-age ones in Georgia. He graduated from Redan High School in Stone Mountain, Ga., and attended The Citadel on a baseball scholarship. He received his business administration degree in spring 1991, and embarked on a career in capital medical sales.
Procter said learning about the death of one of his favorite high school teachers in summer 2001, made him step back and take a look at his constant travel and 80-hour-a-week workloads.
He then took six months off to write "Seasoned Rookie."
Proctor now lives in Charleston, S.C., with his wife, Shannon, and two daughters.
Some proceeds from the book will benefit The Miracle League, a disabled children's baseball league in Atlanta.
Book: "Seasoned Rookie."
Publisher: The Writer's Academy Press
How to order: You can purchase the book by mail by making your check or money order payable to J. Channing Proctor, P.O. Box 14276 Charleston, SC 29422. You also can pay with credit card by visiting the Web site, www.seasonedrookie.com.
The price: $29.95 (postage and handling is included).
If you are a new author and would like your book featured in this column. Send book and
background information to Penny Randall, The Meridian Star, P.O. Box 1591, Meridian, MS 39302; call: (601) 693-1551 or e-mail: prandall@themeridianstar.com.