Local friend and author Liz will be in conversation with The Rev. Charles Dupree, DMin. to celebrate the launch of her first novel! We love to see our customer friends go on to publish and are honored to launch Liz's book. Kelly Justice will moderate the conversation.

Messenger tells the story of twenty-something journalist, Alana Peterson, who is convinced she's found her big break when she meets Messenger, a mysterious old woman who delivers life-changing messages to seemingly random people all over New York City. Alana investigates, trying to determine if Messenger is a crazy homeless woman, a shaman, an angel, or the prophet the planet needs to save it. Messenger channels her messages and knows exactly to whom to deliver them. How? Alana realizes it's not always the content of the message but the timing in a person's life that creates the CLINAMEN--the slight swerve that changes everything. Can a few words change a life? A city? The world? Through a series of mistakes, Alana bends the trajectory of the story to tragic results. Finally, Alana discovers what her journey with Messenger has really been all about.

Liz Keller Whitehurst is the author of her debut novel, Messenger, and author/creator of the serial podcast MESSENGER: A NOVEL IN 16 EPISODES, which she launched in 2020. Her short stories have appeared in many literary magazines and journals, including Gargoyle, The Portland Review, Five Fingers Review and Nimrod International Journal. She was a finalist in Nimrod International Journal’s Short Story Competition. She earned an MA in English from The University of Virginia. In addition to fiction writing, Liz has spent her professional life writing and teaching. She’s done corporate, non-profit and freelance writing and has taught English and writing at Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Richmond and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. Her last teaching post was co-leading a memoir writing class at the city jail. Though born in Ohio, Liz grew up in Winchester, Virginia and has lived her adult life in Richmond, Virginia. She shares her current 1891 home, located in one of Richmond’s oldest neighborhoods, with her husband. Her second-floor writing desk overlooks the James River.

Rev Charlie Dupree serves as the rector of historic St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in downtown Richmond, Virginia. He is both priest and artist who continues to paint, compose, and engage in conversations that awaken the church and all people to the mystery and beauty of life, religion, and spirituality. Charlie is the author of "Practicing Imperfection: A Priest’s Journey through Ministry, Meditation, and Messing Up." His memoir focuses on the intersection of mindfulness meditation, everyday life, and leadership. He grew up on a farm in eastern North Carolina and is married to Matthew Cole, his husband and partner of 25 years.

A portion Messenger sales will be donated to St. Paul's Emmaus program.

Emmaus is St. Paul's lunch ministry, which takes place on Thursdays. They are one of five Downtown Community Ministry (DCM) churches that provide a weekly meal to anyone in need, as they have been doing for more than 25 years. In the spirit of “welcoming the stranger,” they serve approximately 150 guests each week. They also partner with Liberation Family Services to provide and serve a hot dinner to homeless veterans at their Hull Street location.

Local Debut Author Liz Keller Whitehurst Launches Messenger!