GH native to hold book signing at Floto's Gifts
Fri, Aug 29, 2008 
to del.icio.us
Michigan mystery author Richard Baldwin will bring his eight mysteries to his hometown of Grand Haven during the upcoming Labor Day weekend.
Baldwin will make a personal appearance at Floto's Gifts, 123 Washington Ave., on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 30-31, to promote his latest thriller, "Murder in Thin Air," which is set in the Battle Creek Hot Air Balloon Festival and Alma College. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday.
Baldwin will sign autographs and greet fans of his popular "Lou and Maggie" detective series, which features real Michigan locations including Grand Haven and Muskegon.
"It means a lot to me to meet my readers in Grand Haven, where I grew up, and where the main characters of my books 'live,'" he said.
Baldwin, who lives in Haslett and was raised in Grand Haven, attended Alma College from 1959-62. He said he draws many of his characters' names from students he met there.
"A common comment by fans is that they like that I write about real places where they have been," Baldwin said. "Many readers also appreciate a story free of profanity."
Baldwin has published more than 15 books, including children's books and religious vignettes, under his own company called Buttonwood Press. He is also a public speaker, addressing groups on the topic of "How to Self Publish Your Own Book" through community education programs and life-long learning centers.
Prior to writing Michigan mysteries, Baldwin enjoyed a career as a teacher and university professor. He was Michigan's director of special education from 1990-97.
On the Net:
www.buttonwoodpress.com
