2022 Local Authors Expo: Meet Hugh Hardy, Jr.

 

Hugh Hardy, Jr., author of "Maysa Brown" series.

After a two-decade career at Southern Company Services, a sister company of Alabama Power, Hugh Hardy Jr. spent nearly a decade working as a library assistant at the Birmingham Public Library. 

Now his popular Maysa Brown series about the adventures of the first Black female U.S. president can be checked out there as part of BPL's Local Authors collection.   

You can buy the Maysa Brown series from Hardy at this Saturday's 2022 BPL Local Authors Expo between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. this Saturday, November 5. Hardy said in an interview earlier this year that the death of his father in 2019 inspired him to start writing books as a form of therapy. 

His writing journey began with “Maysa Brown: Rise to Power,” the first book in a series about a Black woman from Alabama who went from college student to U.S. president. “Maysa Brown: A World in Turmoil” would follow and then “Maysa Brown: A Season of Change.” 

Hardy now has a fourth installment, "Maysa Brown: The Return Home," coming out this fall.  

BPL: Tell me about your books. 

Hardy: My books are a series based on two main characters, Maysa and Michael Green. These two team up to become the power couple of the U.S. government. Michael has the ability to see into peoples future and read their minds as well. Maysa does not know about Michael's ability and the fact that Michael is also a certified genius helps the situation even more. Michael never tells Maysa things directly because of the nature of humans to question "how do you know all of this" so Michael just nudges Maysa when she gets off track in handling her business. 

As you can imagine people hate when someone is always a step ahead of you so imagine when there's someone like Michael keeping you 2 - 3 steps ahead. Positive steps are made for U.S. but lots of enemies are also made. Book four in the series brings Maysa and the family back home to Alabama after eight years in Washington DC . Apparently, once you've had a taste of politics you can never let it go. Welcome home Maysa!! 

 BPL: What inspired you to write your books? 

Hardy: The books were inspired by watching the news and seeing all of the constant turmoil. I thought to myself that I might be able to write something and put a positive twist on it that hopefully would inspire people that you can be whatever you want in life if you're willing to put forth the extra effort to attain it. I have been around a lot of people with a lot of talent and very smart but they just didn't have someone like a "Michael" to nudge and push them to take the leap. I'm hoping readers of my books will be inspired to believe enough in themselves to take the leap and follow their dreams. Faith, hope and a strong belief in yourself can take you a long way if you truly believe.

 BPL: Who is your favorite author and why? Hardy: Toni Morrison is my favorite author. I simply love her writing style. The way she tells her stories draws you in to her characters and helps you to relate to them. I try to do the same with my characters to make you feel like they are your "friend" and you want to follow their moves from one page or chapter to the next.

 BPL: What do you hope readers get out of your books? 

 Hardy: I want them to be inspired to not just settle for what is in front of you but to reach beyond and attain all that you desire. 

BPL: Any advice you would give for new authors or those desiring to become an author? 

Hardy: Breathe life into your characters. Make them be life-like. Give them human strengths and weaknesses. Don't be afraid to take a few risk with your writing but the main thing is to always remain true to yourself.