MTSU alumna D.F. Jones holds book signing for charity at Linebaugh Public Library

Photo and story by Gerardo Palacios / Contributing Writer

Local author and Middle Tennessee State University alumna D.F Jones held a book signing at Linebaugh Public Library in Murfreesboro on October 14, where all the proceeds went to benefit Alive Hospice.

Jones’ book signing promoted the digital release of her sixth book, “The Witches of Hant Hallow.” She sold copies of her previous book, “Spinning Time,” which was published in May 2017, as well as books from her “Ditch Lane Diaries” series.

“Spinning Time” takes place in North Carolina in a fictional town called Burkett Falls. According to Jones, it’s a play on words for Bedford Falls, the fictional town from the 1946 drama “It’s a Wonderful Life.”  

Jones was recognized at the 2017 Indie Romance Convention for the third book in her “Ditch Lane Diaries” series, titled “Sandy’s Story.” At the IRC Awards Convention in Lebanon, Jones was sure her book would not win and left the event early, only to find herself the 2017 winner for Best Paranormal Romance.

Jones did not start out as an author. She graduated from MTSU in 1982 with a bachelor’s of science in sociology with a minor in economics and finance. After graduation, Jones started working as a broadcast consultant at the ABC affiliate in Nashville. This led her to open her own agency, Jones Media, in October 1998, where she develops target marketing with companies like The Boro Bar & Grill, Mid South Publishing Company, State Auto and the Murfreesboro Electric Department.

In 2010, she became a caregiver for her mother, Emily Earlene Burns Frost and in 2014, Jones decided to downsize her company. The money from the book signing went to Alive Hospice in honor of her mother.

In 2014, she started working on her debut novel, “Ruby’s Choice,” which is set in Tennessee in 1973 and began the “Ditch Lane Diaries” series. As a local author, Jones has found much of her inspiration from her past using names from actual students and alumni from MTSU like Ruby, Anna and Sandy from her “Ditch Lane Diaries” series.

Sherry Haynes Turner, a longtime friend of Jones from high school and another MTSU alumna, came out to support her friend. Mrs. Turner, a “voracious reader,” had stopped reading altogether before picking up Jones’ books.

“After (my husband’s) heart attack, I quit reading; I couldn’t,” Turner said. “I about had a nervous breakdown. I read these (books) because they were yours.”

One of her first fans, Patty Young, also came out to support Jones.

“She always gives me honest feedback, and you really have to have that as an author,” Jones said. Young has been part of Jones’ launch team from the beginning, helping out with proofreading everything that Jones publishes.

When asked about books that are significant to her, Jones mentioned Stephen King’s “IT.” Jones recalled the time she read “IT” and had nightmares, and ever since then, she has not read any of King’s work or watched the movie renditions of “IT.” Her favorite authors are Diana Gabaldon and J.R Ward.

Keeping true to her background with Jones Media, Jones herself designs the book covers, mocks them up and turns them over to her graphic designer of 20 years, Amanda Northcutt, another MTSU alumna.

For more information on Jones, click here.

To contact Lifestyles Editor Tayhlor Stephenson, email [email protected].

For more updates, follow us at www.mtsusidelines.com, on Facebook at MTSU Sidelines and on Twitter/Instagram at @Sidelines_Life.