Rosenberry Books of Pittsboro, NC, has published retired Blount County teacher Sam Williams' first book, BY THIS CHRISTMAS MOON, a book of Christmas poetry.  The book is for sale in Maryville at Southland Books, located in the former Drake's Auto Parts building at 801 East Broadway. "I am excited to have this book in Maryville where I taught for thirty years," Williams said.

The author said that getting the book published has been an interesting process from the beginning through the art illustration, editing, copyrighting and on to the final book.  The artist/illustrator is Diane Katz, a fratur folk artist. The book publishing company is known for museum publications and for their handmade quality from the paper to the final assembly.

Williams was born in Loudon, TN, and spent much time in Vonore with his grandparents.  He now lives in their 109 year old house and continues its restoration. He is a Master Gardner, volunteering several times a year at the NC Arboretum in Asheville. Recently, he was a guest at the National Haiku Association Convention in Winston Salem, NC.  A children's book is next on his writing agenda, using one of the poems in CHRISTMAS MOON titled "A Christmas Feather" as the model.