Gulf Shores English teacher releases first novel

By Allison Marlow
Managing Editor
allisonm@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 11/2/22

GULF SHORES — Still longing for just a few more moments of Halloween haunting?Then make "The Ghosts of Sand Island Lighthouse" the next book you check out.Author Tim Smith, an English teacher …

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Gulf Shores English teacher releases first novel

Posted

GULF SHORES — Still longing for just a few more moments of Halloween haunting?

Then make "The Ghosts of Sand Island Lighthouse" the next book you check out.

Author Tim Smith, an English teacher at Gulf Shores High School, penned the tale after sailing past the light during a fishing trip. After digging through the area's history, he decided to bring his own characters to the island and to a mystery that lingered there.

The main characters, Sam and Dex, are best friends from Tennessee and typical preteens who waste most of their summer days finding adventures. When Sam's grandfather dies both boys head to Baldwin County for the funeral and stay for the summer. Their adventures lead them to the ghosts of Sand Island and the sometimes-true tales of pirates in the nearby waters.

The book is officially categorized as young adult genre and is a quick read with a fun twist ending. It is also Smith's 13th book and the first to be published. Several of his other stories also follow the adventures of Sam and Dex.

Smith said he was partially inspired to create the characters after having a tough time finding new books that were appropriate for his own students, especially books that were what he calls a clean, fun read.

"It's getting harder and harder to find things new for kids to read," Smith said. "I like a good ghost story, and this is suspenseful and clean."

He added that many books for kids now forget how magical childhood can be.

"I don't think we remember that all the time. You forget that everything is pretty enchanted when you are a kid," Smith said.

"The Ghosts of Sand Island Lighthouse" was released on Oct. 31 and is available at Barnes & Nobles and Amazon.