I often dig through used book sales in search of Tennessee history and baseball titles.

Yesterday I scored three books on baseball at a sale hosted by the Friends of the Mary E. Tippitt Memorial Library in Townsend, Tenn.

One of the books — Hawk: An Inspiring Story of Success at the Game of Life and Baseball — was co-written by 2010 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Andre Dawson and Tom Bird, who visits Knoxville twice annually to teach non-credit creative writing courses for UT Professional & Personal Development.

Hawk tells the story of Dawson, the eight-time All Star who I remember as a dominant player in the late ’70s and most of the ’80s for the Montreal Expos and Chicago Cubs.

It is one of 16+ books authored by Bird, and it’s an enjoyable read.

Bird returns to Knoxville on October 20-21 to present How to Get Published Right Now (Oct. 20; $65) and How to Write Your Book in Five Days (Oct. 21; $129). Students consistently give Bird positive ratings on his instruction.

If you register for both of Bird’s courses, you’ll receive a $25 discount. To receive the discount, you must register by phone at (865) 974-0150.

Darrin Devault, UT Professional & Personal Development

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