Branson Books Spotlight

The live entertainment capital of the world, Branson, Missouri, has opened up a new world for readers around the country. Never has interest been so high in Ozark heritage and culture, and with Branson located at the heart of the Ozarks, it is no wonder that this Mecca of Ozark heritage is gaining the attention it deserves.

(PRWEB) March 19, 2005 -- Ozark writers are among the finest in the country, with many top-winning names such as Jory Sherman (Mysteries of the Ozarks), Ellen Gray Massey (Bittersweet Ozarks), Joe Keene (Songwriting A to Z), and many others. For books by top authors with rich Ozark stories, visit www.bransonozarks.com. This site has been given a 5-star rating by Best News, and the list of Ozark books is growing. The site will soon include a complete listing of Branson shows and attractions, so check back often to receive up to date Branson information.

Ozark writers continue to write from oral tradition as well as from rich imaginations. The latest series Mysteries of the Ozarks is testimony to these writers desire to share their rich heritage with America. The series, the brainchild of Ozark Writers, Inc., is an ongoing series, with volume II to be release in the fall of 2005.

Bob Spear of Heartland Review called the book a "masterfully edgy collection of short stories" and rated it "five hearts" and a "recommended read." "There is nothing backwoods about these writers' tools. Coming from a cultural heritage of storytelling, these authors present gripping and ironic vignettes using very sophisticated literary techniques in the instinctive manner of natural born writers," said Spear.

The editor Ellen Gray Massey is an award-winning Missouri author. Ellen Gray Massey is a speaker, writer, editor and teacher. She was teacher/advisor from 1973-1983 of Bittersweet, The Ozark Quarterly, published by her students at Lebanon Missouri High School. She also does other editorial work with individual writers and was editor in 1988-1989 for Briarwood, a local heritage magazine published by the Lebanon Missouri Publishing Company. She has published many articles, short stories, essays, one original musical play, twelve novels and four non-fiction books.

Since retiring from Lebanon High School as an English teacher in 1986, she has given over 350 talks, taught at 41 Elderhostels and given 37 dramatic readings throughout Missouri and in Arkansas, North Carolina, Connecticut and Washington D.C.

Ellen has won numerous awards. In 1995 she was inducted into the first Writers Hall of Fame of America. In 1996 and 1997 she was finalist in the short story and the biography categories from Western Writers of America's Golden Spur Award. She has received several first places from the Missouri Writers Guild in fiction, non-fiction, short stories, articles and poetry. Ellen is co-president of the Missouri Folklore Society, on the board of the Missouri Writers Guild, The Ozarks Mountaineer, as well as an active member of Ozark Writers League, Western Writers of America EPIC.

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