Dr. Dennis J. Preston has worn many hats — including elementary school teacher, pastor, and most recently author of seven books.
“I have loved to write for many years,” Preston said. “When you have two careers you don’t really get to do things like writing. Approaching retirement, I began to write a little more and after retirement, my writing took off.”
In 2014, Preston started writing his first book, and it was published in 2015. Most of his books are based on biblical narratives, but some contain humorous poems about everyday life.
“The first that I published is titled “In the Ash Heap,” poems from the book of Job. Not just a retelling of what is written in the Bible but what’s in the minds of the character,” Preston said.
“Cloaked Moon,” a book Preston wrote using women of the Bible, has a cover created by a local artist. A second local artist illustrated several pictures within the book.
“I set up a book table at the Rhonda McEnroe art show where Rhonda’s students painted,” he said. “One of her students did the painting in my book. I brought several of my books to the show and I sold several that day.”
A unique book with a touch of humor, “Unhurried Intervals” is a book on growing older, retiring, and aging. It doesn’t just look at the negative aspects of getting older, but includes the positive, too.
In the “Tree of Days,” Preston explores dealing with death and loss from a Christian perspective.
“As I write, I think of what they may have been. I try to learn and continue to learn. That’s one of the secrets of aging — keeping an active mind,” Preston said.
One of Preston’s books is different from all the other ones. “Better than Sardines,” is told from the perspective of a cat, based on his daughter’s childhood pet, Miss Kitty.
“I write because I enjoy writing. I paint pictures with words if you will. I tell stories that delve into the minds of characters,” Preston said. “I didn’t get into this for money.”
For future plans, Preston is currently working on a new book that will debut in 2021. The text, which is about men from the Old Testament in the Bible, includes a poem told from the perspective of Goliath.
“The Men from the Old Testament, I am working on now. By 2022, I am hoping to have Men from the New Testament. I am just kind of taking things as they come; I do not have deadlines to meet,” Preston said.
Several of Preston’s books can be purchased on Amazon, and he also delivers locally upon request.
