‘Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction’

The Friends of the Berryville Library’s next author talk and book signing will feature local authors Molly May and Sean Fitzgibbon. “Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction: A Celebration of Local Authors,” will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Carroll Electric Community Room in Berryville. The event is free, and no tickets are required. It is sponsored by Poncho Goldstein’s Irish Pub and Collins Construction and Concrete.

Molly May is a high school English teacher currently working at Alpena High School. She is a former journalist and has a master’s degree in English. Her book “Witnesses for the Lamb: The True Story of Hijacking, Murder, and Suicide in the Ozarks,” tells the story of the tiny Foundation of Ubiquity cult that formed in Newton County and the deadly bus hijacking two of its members — Keith and Katie Haigler— orchestrated in July 1982.

Fayetteville artist/author Sean Fitzgibbon explores unusual, real places and events through his work. He has an MFA in art and a passion for making art and visual storytelling. He is a 2021 Artists 360 recipient and a 2022 recipient of the Arkansas Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowship Award for his Kirkus-starred, graphic nonfiction book “What Follows Is True: Crescent Hotel.” He has exhibited work throughout the U.S. He also illustrates books and recently completed writing and illustrating a documentary-style graphic nonfiction book that explores the Crescent Hotel’s strange two years as the Baker Hospital, one of the darkest and most controversial legends in the town of Eureka Springs. He is now developing and producing art for a new graphic nonfiction book about the history, folklore and science surrounding Plum Bayou Mounds—an archeological site located in Scott, Arkansas.

Molly and Sean will be talking about their books and the unique challenges of writing nonfiction in general and true crime specifically. After the talk, the authors will be available to sign books. Copies of their books will be available for purchase at the event. There will also be door prizes — including some courtesy of KTHS, as well as Newton County businesses Bubba’s Buffalo River Store, Peggy Sue’s Coffee and Jasper Pizza Company — and light refreshments.

The Friends of the Berryville Library are committed to celebrating local authors and sponsor biannual author talks and book signings. Previous authors talks have featured local authors Jane Elzey, Amber Camp, Dale Ross, Craig Froman and Amanda McKinney.

For more information on the “Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction” panel discussion or the Friends of the Berryville Library, contact the Berryville Library at 870-4232323.