By Blake Deshazo

The Selma Times-Journal

Marion Military Institute is hoping to inspire its cadets and the community next week when it hosts a literary festival.

The school hopes to display the power of words by giving people the opportunity to meet and hear from three authors that focus on different aspects of writing.

“We have brought single authors to town the last two years, so we just thought it was time to really bring a new festival to the community and give [people] the chance to meet some influential writers in our region,” said Marietta Holmes, MMI’s public information officer.

The festival is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 12 and Sunday, Feb. 15 in the chapel.

The event will feature novelist Scott Morris Thursday at 6:30 p.m., preservationist Elizabeth “Betsy” Crosby Sunday at 3 p.m. and historian Dr. Dan Haulman Sunday at 6 p.m.

“The choice of authors that will appear at the festival are designed to reach as broad range of interest as possible,” said David Tipmore, academic dean at MMI.

Each author will discuss their writing style and share their experiences as a writer.

Tipmore said he hopes both the cadets and community realize how powerful writing can be to the world.

“I want them to take away that words have power and that words can have many, many good effects both in their lives and in the lives of others,” Tipmore said. “I think books are a wonderful medium for cadets and for anyone to experience the power of words.”

Novelist Scott Morris is an up-and-coming writer who will discuss art, ideas and perseverance during his presentation.

Preservationist Elizabeth Crosby, who is frequently published in magazines like Veranda, Alabama Heritage Magazine and Preservation Magazine, will talk about historical preservation.

The final author of the festival, historian Dan Haulman, has written books about the Tuskegee Airmen. He will talk about his latest book, “The Tuskegee Airmen: An Illustrated History.”

The free event will also give people a chance to meet the authors and ask questions.

“We’re having receptions so people can meet the authors, buy a book, ask questions and just kind of pick their brains,” Holmes said.