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Author from Hamlet inspired by his roots by Dawn M. Kurry Richmond County Daily Journal 1 day 7 hrs ago | 498 views | 0
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John Albert Smith, from Hamlet, lives in Philadelphia and writes books. He has written two novels, an autobiography, and two children’s books. He has two daughters.
“The Adventures of the Molly Dollies” by J. Albert Smith was inspired by his own two daughters. The message in the story is that everyone is different and we can all get along.
Author John Albert Smith, a Richmond County native, lives in Philadelphia these days but his southern roots continue to influence his writing.
Born in Rockingham and raised in Hamlet, Smith said he graduated from Hamlet High School in 1972; the last year it was a high school before it was consolidated with Richmond Senior High.
Smith moved to Philadelphia in 1973, but still hasn’t forgotten the lifestyle he grew up with.
“Hamlet is always in my heart,” said Smith. “Every time I come home I’m treated well. My mom still lives in Hamlet. I grew up in a time that was more wholesome. Children had more respect for each other, their elders, their parents and themselves. My mom didn’t take any crap and she still doesn’t.”
Smith — who goes by J. Albert Smith — has written two novels and an autobiography. The first novel was “Blue Sunday” about Philadelphia police, and a fictional conflict that arises and turns the police force against an officer who has gone rouge and recruited criminals. The second novel is “Landscape of the Unearthing,” about a Mexican serial killer, who poses as a landscaper, and hides bodies in backyards, unbeknownst to the people who hired him. The third book is an autobiography called “View Through The Crack (A Testimony of God’s Power),” about how faith in God helped Smith through dark times.
Smith has written two children’s books as well. The first was “Goosey Green” about a goose born green. She leaves her family when they make fun of her, and meets someone along the way who changes her mind. When she returns to her family she discovers her purpose just in time to save them all from a terrible fate. The lesson in the story is that we each have a purpose, and we are each different from each other.
The second children’s book has a similar message. “The Adventures of the Molly Dollies” is about a collection of multi-ethnic dolls that visit a carnival together. Smith plans to manufacture the dolls, while sending the message that although we are each different, we can learn to get alone and live together.
“I wanted to do something for children,” said Smith. “Everyone can get along and be happy. We just need to give a little respect.”
Another book in the making by Smith is “Land of the Lost Things.” In the story, a boy and a girl get lost and find an empty cabin with a mirror inside. The children get sucked into the mirror and find themselves in the Land of the Lost Things. In order to return home, the children must return some of the lost items, such as coins and pictures. Both of the children’s parents are divorced, and in the story the children find lost love for their parents, and become brother and sister when they return to their world when their parents find love and get married.
Smith had his first few books published by a publishing company, and then switched to self-publishing for his last three books.
“You have more control when you self-publish,” said Smith. “You set the price, and you get 80 percent of the royalties. It’s like raising a child. It gives you a good feeling inside.”
Smith hopes his readers take messages from the books that he believes are important.
“There is more to life than doing for yourself,” he said. “We’ve got to find time to see ourselves, and stop looking for the differences and see the similarities we all share. We’ve got to take the world back from the bad and live as our God designed. There is a big difference from the city to Hamlet. I find, of all the bad people in the world, they are outweighed by good ones. We can defeat evil, but we must do it together. It’s a collective effort.”
— Staff Writer Dawn M. Kurry can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 43, or by email at
[email protected]
.