By Kristina Pendergrass, Tallassee Redevelopment Authority

Tallassee may be a small town, but its pool of talent runs deep – particularly when it comes to homegrown authors. The latest to join those ranks is local writer Trey Rogers. His debut novel “Hood” was published last month.

“Hood” is a modern-day retelling of the Robin Hood legend, written from Marian’s perspective and set in the fictional Barnsdale County of rural Alabama. Readers will enjoy discovering their favorite characters reimagined, following the defiant, motorcycle-riding Robert Loxley and his band of young outlaws and vigilantes from their high school days into early adulthood, as they fight the crime and corruption they discover around them.

Combining raw adventure, drama, mystery, and a good measure of Trey’s distinctive sense of humor, this novel is written in an accessible, punchy style perfectly suited for its target young adult audience. Readers of any age will also appreciate the novel’s grappling with moral ambiguities and its rich character development.

A native of Alabama, Trey settled in Tallassee almost 30 years ago, after meeting the love of his life, Tonya. And although writing had long been part of his life, Rogers did not begin to write fiction seriously until after their son Jude was born. The first draft of Hood came a few years later, in 2009.

After working with a professional editor and consulting with published authors, he chose to self-publish through Amazon. Rogers hopes Hood will help launch his hobby into a part-time career, with successful sales allowing for the publication of several already-drafted sequels in this series. He has also completed 14 additional novels awaiting publication, running the gamut from supernatural thrillers to sci-fi adventure.

When asked about inspiration, Rogers stated that he has been an avid reader since childhood, devouring just about anything, across all genres. Some of his favorites over the years have included “My Side of the Mountain” (Jean Craighead George), the “Little House” series (Laura Ingalls Wilder), and authors such as Stephen King, John D. McDonald, and Elmore Leonard.

A very large part of Rogers’ inspiration as an author also comes from his grandfather, who was raised in rural Alabama during the Great Depression and was the greatest storyteller Trey has ever known. Rogers draws on this same storyteller spirit within, explaining that he hears his characters’ voices tell him their stories, and all that’s left is for him to write them down. Rogers’ talent is not limited to writing: he is responsible for creating his novel’s cover art as well!

“Hood” is available in hardcover, paperback, and e-book formats from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online retailers. It can also be ordered through most bookstores, using its ISBN number (979-8994327609). Stay tuned for an upcoming book signing event at Tallassee’s Community Library, where you will have the opportunity to purchase a copy of “Hood” locally and have it personally signed by Trey Rogers.