Product Description
The book is a collection of poems, short stories, essays, songs and prose by Billy Randal Maynard of Harold, Kentucky. The wide variety of writings come from inspiring events in his life in the rolling hills of eastern Kentucky, and from (according to the author) direct inspiration from God. Sometimes the story would "swirl around" in the author's mind for weeks or months before coming into print. At other times, a poem would be written the same evening as the inspiration. Billy began writing as a young teenager. While attending college at nearby Pikeville College, he wrote some of his first works. The book carries a lot of spirituality because Mr. Maynard was a minister for several years before a tumultuous divorce that created havoc in his family. He still remains a staunch Christian and sings often in his hometown church on occasion. Over the years, Billy has written many poems for departed loved ones. These can be appreciated by any and all who read them. The collection covers a span of more than thirty years.On several occasions, some of the poems and especially the short stories, Incident and Walkertown, and The Fight, have been recognized for their originality and actually won a writers contest in the early eighties. Some of the more noteworthy poems have been published by poetry.com and posted on the internet. There is a section in the book dedicated to the poems, the author deems to be the most inspired (the Author''s Picks).There is tremendous variety in the book, and something for everyone. It begins with a poem about aborted babies, entitled, "I Could Have Been." It is heavenly inspired, but incorporates the feelings of the author, and his belief that poetry should have "rhyme and rhythm." There are some profound things coming out of his work, "that had to come from above." (according to the author); that is for the reader to decide!
About the Author
Billy Randal Maynard was born in Pikeville, Ky. on April 12, 1952. He is the son of William L. Maynard and Lottie M. Keene Maynard who still live in Pikeville. Billy has one brother, Barry Ronald Maynard of Pikeville. Billy had four children in his first marriage, including Jeffery Maynard, Katina Bevins, Vanessa Campbell, and Hadley Maynard, who lives with him and his present wife, Patty (P.A.) Howard Maynard, formerly of Royalton, Ky. Billy and Patty were happy to see the arrival of their baby girl, Lottie Maria, as she entered this world on March 8th, 2002. Billy, Patty, Hadley and Lottie Maria currently reside at Dana, Ky. in Floyd County, Ky. Mr. Maynard attended Pikeville College, after graduating from Johns Creek High School in 1970. He obtained a B.S. degree in Bus. Admin. and Accounting. Several years later, Billy went back to college to obtain his Masters degree, MBA. In 1998 he graduated from Morehead State University. Presently, Mr. Maynard is President of Maynard Insurance Agency in Harold, KY. He also teaches continuing education classes for licensed insurance agents. He started East Ky. CE in 1999. He more recently launched a new website dedicated to his poetry. It is aptly named, MyPoetryStore.com. Billy, as evidenced by his works, is a former minister in the Free Will Baptist faith. Mr. Maynard has always enjoyed writing poetry, songs and short stories throughout his life. There was a long spell of time that he did not write much of anything, but that changed after a shake-up in his life...a divorce. Billy was blessed by God to meet his present wife, Patty, as new inspiration poured upon him. Billy has enjoyed coaching little league sports, like basketball and football, since his son Hadley, is very sports-minded and athletic. In the early eighties, Mr. Maynard won "writer of the year" for his winning short story, "INCIDENT AT WALKERTOWN". The local newspaper did a big story on Billy and his writings up to that point, and Billy has been writing "off a
