Once again a well-known regional writer will hit the stage at the Newberry County Friends of the Library’s biggest fundraiser, the annual Literary Luncheon.

In previous years, speakers included naturalist Rudy Mancke, Pat Conroy’s wife and writer Cassandra King, and storyteller and peach farmer Dori Sanders. This year, the event’s ninth, Ann B. Ross of “Miss Julia” fame will speak at the May 14 event.

The luncheon will include a salad meal and start at noon at the Family Life Center of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer on Boundary Street in Newberry.

THE STAR OF THE SHOW

Ross’ writing career has come later in her life. After her children were in college, Ross decided to finish her own education and enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. After getting a masters and doctorate, Ross began to teach literature and humanities at UNC-Asheville.

In the early 1980s, Ross wrote and published two murder mysteries. She lives in Hendersonville, N.C.

The first of the Miss Julia books was published in 1999, and kicked off Ross’ full-time writing career.

“Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind” went through six reprints in less than a year, and was ranked in the top 10 of the Independent Bookseller’s 76 most highly recommended books for 1999.

Miss Julia is a strong-willed Southern woman “of a certain age.“ This iconic central character is a feisty, somewhat prim and proper, widow lady who lives by the motto that if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.

This month, Ross’ newest, “Miss Julia Delivers the Goods” will hit the bookstores. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the luncheon, along with the author to sign them and copies of her other books.

“We are fortunate to have Ann Ross as a speaker, as she has many more invitations than she can possibly fill,“ Tucky Taylor, director of the Newberry County Library, says.

The Friends’ literary luncheons have sold out since starting in 2001, with mystery-writer Nancy Rhyne as speaker.

Tickets for the May 14 event are now on sale and are going fast, according to Betty Fulmer, president of the Friends organization.

Other speakers, between 2002 and 2008, have been Helen Milliken, Angie LeClercq, Kathryn Wall, Joan Medlicot, Cassandra King, Rudy Mancke and Dori Sanders.

Tickets may be obtained at the library for $20 for Friends members and $25 for non-members.