SPC Library to host book signing featuring English professor Sanders on Oct. 2

 

LEVELLAND – An intriguing journey into another dimension is the premise of the newly released “Passe-Partout” written by South Plains College’s Stephen M. Sanders, assistant professor of English. Sanders will be featured during a book signing at 2:30 p.m.. on Oct. 2 in the SPC Library. 

Sanders’ labor of love took 10 years to come to fruition. The story is divided into chapters that alternate between two main characters. It dabbles in the practice of magic and its consequences as well as the loss of the mentors in the characters’ lives. “Passe-Partout” means “master key” which allows people to move freely between universes. 

“I worked on the book for two years prior to the birth of my son Stellan,” Sanders said. “And everything just stopped. I was four to five chapters into the book at that time.” 

Four years ago, Sanders joined the faculty at SPC where he teaches Creative Writing. He taught in public school at Nazareth Independent School District and Levelland Independent School District for 18 years. He received his Associate of Arts from SPC, his Bachelor of Arts from West Texas A&M University and his Master of Arts from Texas Tech University. 

Sanders said that although he is trained in poetry, it was his interest in book design that lead him to write a book. He wanted to produce his own cover for the book. Sanders wrote 2,000 words nightly until he completed the full first draft in 2017. He said the key to his success involved re-reading the book and fixing the mistakes he missed. Sanders then asked his wife, Kristy, to read it. 

“She didn’t tell me what was wrong – only that the ending did not work,” he said. 

Once the book was complete, Sanders turned his attention to the cover design. Although he thought the cover project would be something he wanted to create, he opted to have one of his former students, Delany Price Jackson, design the cover. Jackson is a graduate of the Graphic Arts Program at SPC where she currently teaches. 

“I know I needed a professional artist and she did several mock ups over a five month period before we finally selected the cover,” Sanders said. 

Sanders said the book will appeal to people who enjoy fantasy, magic and alternative universes. However, this book is not for children. 

The book signing in the SPC Library is one of many events that will be offered this fall to bring students, faculty, staff and community members to campus. 

“Passe-Partout” is available at Amazon and Barnes and Nobles.