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  Clifton Adams, author and professor emeritus at the University of Central Missouri, visited the University of Arkansas at Monticello April 24, as part of a southern states publicity tour for his new book "Sunspots."

   While on campus, he read selections of his book for students in the Memorial Classroom Building and presented a copy to the university. 

   “Sunspots,” a collection of 16 modern-day fables, was published in November 2006.  It was written while Adams was successfully battling cancer of the colon and liver.  It contains 17 photographs taken by his daughter, A. Rhae Adams, as well as the fables.  

   “As I was writing the fables, I wanted them to provide hope to the reader; and, although none of them are directly about hope, many of the initial readers have referred to it as a book of hope,” Adams said.

   Adams spent 35 years teaching at universities in the United States and Asia.  His previous writings include publications in professional and literary journals and in newspapers both in the U.S. and internationally.  His bibliography appears in “Who’s Who.”  “Sunspots” is his first book.             

   “The fables are suited to people of all ages. They can be listened to on many levels.  They lend themselves well to oral reading. Indeed, selections from the book read in competition at the Pi Kappa Delta National Readers Theater Contest won first place this March,” Adams said of his readings at UAM.

   In many regards, “Sunspots” is like Kahlil Gibran’s “The Prophet.”  Adams’ prophet is Faith Moon to whom people turn to in times of trial.  Her advice is worded in poetic verse containing lessons appropriate to many individuals.

    “Moon’s words have already found their way into a few sermons,” Adams said. 

   Adams has spent the month of April doing readings in his native state of Alabama and in Warrensburg, Mo., where he currently resides. 

   According to the TimesDaily of Florence, Ala., response to Adams’ readings has been positive.  “Students said the readings were insightful with Adams bringing his characters to life.”

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