Brian Clements, author and reporter for the Times-Standard-Herald and Greensboro Watchman, will return to his hometown of Marion for a book signing on Friday, June 28. The event will be held at As Time Goes By, Charlie Flaherty’s bookstore on Washington Street, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Copies of all three of Clements’ published novels will be available for purchase.
Clements, who previously worked for the U.S. Postal Service and now covers local news in Perry County, said he hopes to eventually write a comedic novel about his experiences in the postal system—“but I can’t get any traction,” he admitted. “I’m still too angry.”
Though his most recent book was self-published in 2023, Clements said the signing is less about promoting a new release and more about connecting with readers and supporting a friend’s business. “My friend Charlie Flaherty, who owns the bookstore, told me he’d pay me a hundred dollars to sit in his store and sign books,” he said. “I’m trying to scare up enough money to take the family to Biloxi.”
Despite his dry humor, Clements speaks earnestly about his writing and the tradition he sees himself as part of. “Crime fiction is American fiction,” he said. “Crime fiction writers have had more of an impact on our culture than any ‘literary’ fiction writer in history. If I can write a decent mystery with some laugh-outloud humor thrown in, I’m proud of myself.”
When asked what he expects from the event, Clements was characteristically blunt: “I do not [expect a big turnout]. And don’t take any pictures of me. Really, I’d prefer it if no one spoke to me after about 4:55 because I’ll be getting ready to leave.”
