Staff report

Concord’s Vincent James Vezza, who sometimes writes as Jackson Badgenoone, has a new novella, “Neverborn.” It is a follow-up to his debut novel, “The Hidden Treasure of Dutch Buffalo Creek,” published in 2016.

Vezza will sign books Friday, Sept. 14, 6-9 p.m. at South Main Book Co., 110 S. Main St.

The cover of the novella echoes the cover of “Hidden Treasure.” It shows Dutch Buffalo Creek at flood stage, where the previous cover showed it at a trickle. The covers speak to the theme that life is measured by up and down cycles.

The first book introduced the concept that “never-born” spirits can interact with souls who have life in the flesh. That book and “Neverborn” are written using the name Jackson Badgenoone (Badge-no-one), a never-born who is the narrator and participant in the first book.

Other never-born characters from “Hidden Treasure” also appear in “Neverborn.” They encounter the group of people who are dealing with loss.

A press release from the author says both books are based on real life experiences in the lives of the author, immediate family and close friends.

Vezza writes: “Did you ever have a period of time in your life when the whole world crashed in on you? Rachael Faith, the principle character in ‘Neverborn’ had such a time; an entire year of tragic events piled one upon the other. She finds strength and reassurance from the imagined voices of her never-born children. Her path leads her to write about the relentless attacks on her spirit. Along the way, she seeks solace from reading about others who have experienced similar loss. Rachael’s family and friends join her on this exploratory journey. They consider the written works that influence her life. That intellectual exercise morphs into an emotional and spiritual adventure. Perhaps the imagined voices are real.”

Vezza had a career in educational publishing and technology. He has written a number of short stories, the most recent being “The Cranny,” under his own name. He uses Jackson Badgenoone (a female) as his pseudonym for longer works.

He plans 10 more novellas to complete the cycle.

In “Neverborn,” he includes “Excerpts from The Genesis of BadgeNoOne,” which includes other Badgenoones, such as Anna, Christopher and Elizabeth.

The book includes end notes and an extensive bibliography, which includes titles on grief, miscarriage, faith and more.

To learn more about his planned future works, visit his website, www.hiddentreasurenovels.com

Vezza is one of the authors at the book store for Brewfest in downtown Salisbury.

Other authors scheduled to appear include  Frank Morelli, Karen Fritz, Marcia Phillips and Tyler Auffhammer. Tickets for the Brewfest are on sale through Downtown Salisbury Inc. website https://www.downtownsalisburync.com/ or at the book store.