Bobcat Books

Creating Light 

Beth Hurley Luers '74/M'89

The book presents three Holocaust survivors and what they have done to give back to the world to make it a more humane place even when that same world tried to kill them. The book teaches lessons in moving forward and of brotherhood. Luers was a professor of humanities at Garrett College in Western Maryland for more than 30 years, where she taught history and cultural georgraphy courses. Luers has had a life-long interest in the Holocaust and its lessons and worked to pass them on to her students. Creating Light is Luers' first novel and is available on Amazon. Any royalties go directly to Baltimore's Jewish Community Services to aid Holocaust survivors and others.

Seeking To Understand: Uncovering Life's Best Practices of Self-Discovery (Vol. 1) 

Dr. Julie (Juls) Gilliam '90 

Dr. Juls Gilliam uncovers possible life's best practices through one's self discovery. Gilliam has a Doctor of Science in information and interaction design. This book examines daily triumphs, joys, aspirations, pitfalls, struggles, obstacles and barriers through everyday living as a wholehearted authentic human being. The book also includes a revelation of feelings, thoughts and insights of daily occurrences of an individual who beats to a different drummer. The book is written so anyone can relate and apply their own stories to the ones being presented. This book is available on Amazon.  

Picking Up the Crumbs: The Life of a Walters 

Hugh Walters '79 

Walters survived his father's suicide, brother's murder, two divorces, alcoholism and upheavals in employment. He took communion with Bill and Hillary Clinton, shook hands with Muhammad Ali, met and married his life's love and best friend and has three beautiful children. He went snorkeling in the Caribbean, Barbados, the Bahamas and freshwater springs of Florida, cruised throughout the Virgin Islands and attended 30 major rock concerts. Walters details stories of modern swashbuckling adventures which have moments that will leave you in shock and awe. But there is so much more in Picking Up the Crumbs, a book bursting with tales of love and heartbreak, success and disappointment, tragedy and wonder, evil and beauty all told vividly with humor, emotion and insight. The book is available on the publisher's website HERE. 

Dr. Lawrence Weill Pens Novels

FSU Interim Provost and Vice President for the Division of Student Success

Dr. Lawrence Weill, interim provost and vice president for the Division of Student Success at FSU, is also an award-winning author and artist. Residing in western Kentucky, he writes novels, short fiction, nonfiction articles and books, creative nonfiction and poetry. He has eight books in print (another currently at the publisher), including six novels. Weill's latest two novels are "Return of the Goatman" and "Pan and the Message Chair," which won Literary Fiction of the Year at Imaginarium 2024. His work has appeared in a wide range of local, regional and national journals. Weill is also a visual artist working in graphite, oils, metal and wood. 

In addition to his life as a writer and visual artist, Weill works in academia, beginning as a professor of philosophy and ethics for nearly 25 years, then as an academic administrator. 

When he is not in Maryland, Weill lives in the woods overlooking a beaver pond next to a wildlife preserve. He is also an avid outdoorsman and gardener.

The "Eris" Magical Mysteries

Aurora Mahoney '26

Who is Echo? Why does she have these magical powers? Will she carry out her mysterious calling to be an assassin? These questions (and answers) lie in the novels written by FSU student Aurora Mahoney. “Eris and The Royal Tempest” was Mahoney’s first venture into novel writing. The book tells the story of a magical teen named Echo who, after a family tragedy, attempts to harness her new-found powers and is led on a thrilling and deadly journey of self-discovery. The book’s success among its fans (especially those interested in young adult fiction) inspired the FSU English major to write her follow-up book, “Eris and The Royal Tempest,” in 2024. 

The stories were born from Mahoney’s fascination with magic and her limitless imagination. “My goal behind each ‘Eris’ book is to create an environment that really captures the reader and makes them want to come back to that world with every chapter,” Mahoney said. “My books are heavily inspired by classic fairytales, as well as ancient Greek and Roman mythology.” And this isn’t the end of Echo’s story or Mahoney’s writing. “I love writing in the young adult field,” she said. “Moving forward with the next Eris book I hope to continue to capture the same fantastical energy as the other two books.

Both books are available for purchase on Amazon and in bookstores throughout the Western Maryland region.