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LEICESTER, Mass. — Leicester resident Ed Londergan's historical novel "The Devil’s Elbow" was met with much acclaim. In an effort to support one of the town's own historical landmarks, the first-time author plans to donate 10 percent of the book's profits to the Leicester Public Library Renovation Fund.
Set in colonial Massachusetts, the novel follows Jack Parker from his orphan childhood days as an apprentice to a greedy and brutal Boston merchant, to the isolated pioneer settlement of Brookfield — where he ends up in the fight of his life to protect the people and place he loves.
The story culminates with Jack meeting his greatest test when he and 98 others are trapped in a tavern for three hot, humid August days, fighting for survival against 400 once-friendly Indians who are determined to wipe them out and reclaim their land and way of life.
Although he works primarily as a project manager, Londergan has always loved to write. The story had been bouncing around his until four years ago, he said, when he set out to get it down.
"The more I got into it, the better it seemed," he said, explaining that he tried to write at least a thousand words a day. "I would have these moments where a scene would come into my head based on something I heard or read, and I would just put it down."
After years of research and writing, Londergan brought the finished project to local publisher Liz Steele, who helped him put out the work.
"This is one of my life's dreams to have a book published," he said.
For Steele, seeing Londregan's when he first received his book reminded her of giving someone a present on Christmas morning. "He was ecstatic," she said."For me to be able to do something like this for him is just the best feeling ever."
Now Londergan and Steele hope to continue that spirit of giving with the donation to the library.
At 6:30 p.m. Sept. 11, Londergan will also hold a book signing at the Leicester Library to discuss the work and the writing process.
"The Devil's Elbow" can be purchased on BarnesandNoble.com and Amazon.com. For those that download the Kindle edition on Amazon, 20 percent of the proceeds through the end of September will go to the renovation fund.
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