As the owner of Bitter Bill's Ice Cream Parlour in Val Caron, William Cole devotes a lot of energy to running his small business.
In his limited spare time, though, he's become an author. He has a three-book publishing deal with the American publishing company Limitless Publishing.
Two years ago, he put out his first novel, “Love Lonely.” Late last year, he published the second in the series, “Who Lies Beside Me.” Cole plans to put out the third book in the summer of 2018.
Given he spends a lot of time on his business, Cole said he hasn't had much interaction with the local literary community.
That's why he's so excited to participate in a panel of local authors May 3 as part of Reading Town Sudbury. The event takes place starting at 5:30 p.m. at Fromagerie Elgin.
“As you know, we have our own business, so I don't get a lot of time to mingle with the authors,” Cole said. “It will be kind of nice to get into that group and talk to people. It was nice to get asked to go.”
Cole's first novel, “Love Lonely,” features a wealthy couple — David, a retired pro hockey player who runs his father-in-law's thoroughbred horse racing division and his beautiful, influential wife, Sandy, who's always away doing charity work.
Sandy becomes suspicious her husband is attracted to assistant horse trainer Renée, instantly recognizing the magnetism between the two.
The second novel, “Who Lies Beside Me,” features the same characters, as will the third.
Once again, David and Sandy have a number of factors pulling their family apart, including David's dormant liaison with the alluring Renée and Sandy's secretive career veiled by the power of the White House.
“They have a daughter in the second book, and part of the story is about her,” Cole said. “I'm working on a third, and I've taken it in a different avenue. I've gone ahead 10 or 15 years, and it's more about the daughter and her life.”
Since it was released, “Who Lies Beside Me” has received some good online reviews. The book is also popular with customers at Bitter Bill's, where it's sold.
“People are phoning, asking if the book's in,” Cole said.
A book signing for the novel takes place at Chapters starting at noon May 13. Although published last year, Cole said he hasn't promoted the book yet because he was waiting to get it into bookstores.
“Who Lies Beside Me,” which costs $22.95, will be available at Chapters after the book signing.
As previously mentioned, Cole's books are also available at Bitter Bill's, located at 3695 Clarence St. in Val Caron, as well as through online retailers such as Amazon.
