John Coffelt, Editor

 Manchester seventh grader Lily Auwarter, a homeschool student, recently finished writing her first book, “Something I Can Feel.”

The book is centered on Vee, a young girl who must learn to adapt to her new life with prosthetics following a shark attack.

“She’s in the hospital, and then she has to wear prosthetics. Then eventually she is allowed to go back to her school, but she’s teased and made fun of because of her prosthetics,” Auwarter said.

Auwarter said she watched “Jaws” and was captivated by the curiosity of how the shark attack victims would adapt in the aftermath. She became fascinated by the resilience of the survivors which led her to write a story about a young girl navigating life with prosthetics.

With “Something I Can Feel” complete, Auwarter is beginning a new book. This one is about gymnastics. She said the prewrite, draft, revise, edit and publish process takes about three to four months.   

Auwarter will join about 20 other local authors at the Coffee County-Manchester Public Library Author Book Signing from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 7 at 1005 Hillsboro Boulevard.

“Something I Can Feel” is available at www.lulu.com/shop/lily-auwarter/something-i-can-feel/paperback/product-7kjdmd2.html?page=1&pageSize=4. Paperback copies will also be available at the book signing.

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.