Local Author to Speak at Chatham Library

The Library of the Chathams often hosts authors as guest speakers, but it's not every day those authors are residents of the towns the library serves.

Ann Frommer, a longtime resident of Chatham, will speak at the library at 7 p.m. Thursday about her first novel, "Tailgunner," which she co-authored with a former schoolmate, Victor Merkel.

After Frommer read Merkel's book "Misery Mountain," she reached out to her old schoolmate in Arizona and the two rekindled their friendship. Eventually Merkel asked Frommer to co-author a book with him, the end result of which will be available for sail at Frommer's lecture Thursday.

Frommer's book tells the story of an 18-year-old B-17 tailgunner from Pennsylvania and his life in the Air Force during World War II.

Though technically a work of fiction, Frommer said the book "includes factual information ... [and is in part] a tribute to the eldest brother of my co-author."

Frommer worked as a registered nurse for years and has been active in the Art League of the Chathams. Now, she said, she has realized her dream of becoming a writer. She will discuss her inspiration and how she connected with a co-author in Arizona to write her first novel.

Copies of Frommer's book will be available with a 10 percent discount at the library Thursday.