In keeping with Halloween spirit, a new book by a local author now waits to sit on our shelves.

Written by Richard Stevenson, an English teacher, “The Haunting of Amos Manor” is a children’s horror story, which takes place in Chilliwack, B.C

“The Haunting of Amos Manor” is the story of a 12-year-old science geek who seeks to find the truth behind the paranormal phenomenon that his sister has been experiencing after moving into their new home

This is his first novel, though he has written other books, as well as lyrical and narrative poetry

“It’s actually a ghost story that I began in grad school,” said Stevenson

He had kept it in the bottom of a drawer for years, but when he took it out to see if it was worthy of attention, he was surprised to discover that he had actually done a great deal of work on it

Palimpsest Press/Magpie Books has released it to a nine to 12-year-old audience, and Stevenson is launching it at the Crossings Library in west Lethbridge at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday

Stevenson’s plans for the future include a theatrical performance of the Olson Monologues with his son and a cast of actors and musicians.

Ultimately Stevenson believes that his writing will lead him out of teaching, and into a full-time career