J. Mark Boliek, the author of the new fantasy-adventure book for young readers entitled “The Mahogany Door,” will join the Harvest Day celebration in Old Salem, NC, on October 15 as he signs books at The Moravian Book & Gift Shop.

“Harvest Day: Pigs and Pippins” is an annual village-wide celebration of two classic German food favorites -- pork and apples – within Winston-Salem’s historic district, which was originally settled by German immigrants. Staff and volunteers demonstrate period crafts and cooking, and local authors participate at various free-entry locations throughout the village with their books, including The Moravian Book & Gift Shop.

Durham author J. Mark Boliek is appearing at several events in the Moravian shop this fall and winter, including Harvest Day.

“The folks at the Moravian Book & Gift Shop have been so kind to keep inviting me back for their events,” he said. “As a new author, it’s a lot of fun to watch future readers’ eyes light up when they see the book. It’s even more fun to watch them buy the book!”

Published this spring by Split Rail Multimedia, “The Mahogany Door” is a story Boliek worked on for nearly 10 years. It’s the story of three friends, now in their twenties, who were separated years ago by a tragedy but now must reunite to fulfill a destiny in the fantasy world of Bruinduer before that world collapses. Behind the fun, fantasy and adventure, however are the author’s feelings about friendship, loss, perseverance, and about accepting help from someone larger than one’s self along the way.

Recommended reading by Midwest Book Reviews, the book features original illustrations on the cover and inside by California artist Lauren Gallegos, and comes with an all-original musical soundtrack CD.

For Old Salem’s Harvest Day, Boliek will also have limited-edition box sets available, which include the book, CD, and a special bookmark inside handcrafted, hand-etched wooden boxes that represent the mahogany door the characters must pass through to enter Bruindeur.

For more information on Old Salem’s Harvest Day celebration, visit www.oldsalem.org/harvest-day. For more information on “The Mahogany Door,” visit the author’s website: www.jmarkboliek.com.

Book facts:

Author: J. Mark Boliek. Publisher: Split Rail Books. Publication Date: May 2011. Genres: Fantasy-Fiction, Adventure-Fiction. Illustrator: Lauren Gallegos. Age Group: 10 and up. ISBN: 978-0-9832900-0-1. Paperback: 353pp. Retail Price: store’s discretion. Currently available at: The Moravian Books & Gifts, Winston-Salem; The Regulator Bookshop, Durham; Quail Ridge Books & Music, Raleigh; and Chambers Arts in Cary.