Huguenin

ELKINS — An award-winning horror novelist — who is also an Elkins native — will discuss his work at a booksigning event this weekend.

Timothy G. Huguenin, author of the West Virginia Author Project winner “When the Watcher Shakes,” will speak and sign books at the Alexandria on Main book store at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Dr. Ashley Lawson, associate professor of English at West Virginia Wesleyan College, will direct the conversation with Huguenin about his books, which also include the Canaan Valley ghost story “Little One,” and his novella “Unknowing, I Sink.” All of his books are set in his home state of West Virginia.

After his discussion with Lawson, Huguenin will meet fans and sign his books, which are available for purchase at Alexandria on Main.

“Growing up in these mountains has greatly impacted my writing,” Huguenin said. “Even when I am aiming to scare readers, I also strive to establish a strong sense of place and convey the beauty of West Virginia and her people.

“There has been a dismaying trend in the horror genre of promoting offensive stereotypes of Appalachians. I want to represent West Virginians fairly in my fiction, with the dignity and respect we deserve.”

Huguenin literary heroes include not only horror masters like Stephen King and Edgar Allan Poe, but also acclaimed West Virginia authors like Denise Giardina and Davis Grubb.

Huguenin is also an accomplished writer of short fiction, with stories appearing in “YNST Magazine,” “Anthology of Appalachian Writers Vol. XI” and “The Saturday Evening Post.”

Kirkus Reviews called “When the Watcher Shakes” a “deceptively mild tale about a walled city that turns overtly scary before it’s over.”

Tickets for the event are limited and can be purchased online at www.alexandriaonmain.com.