A local writers' group will be launching their first collection of short stories at 7:00pm on Friday December 2 at The Ginger Press in downtown Owen Sound. Ascribe Writers have been meeting monthly to discuss technique and critique each other's work since they took a writing course from published novelist Tracey Richardson several years ago.

Beneath the Surface: A Collection of Grey Bruce Stories includes the work of nine writers. Each one was allotted 6000 words in the book; some chose to write a single longer piece while others contributed a couple of shorter works. In keeping with the mandate of their publisher, The Ginger Press, all 14 stories connect somehow with Grey-Bruce.

In his foreword to Beneath the Surface, Andrew Armitage writes: "Beneath the Surface is a book to tuck away on your shelves but not before giving it a thorough read. These are your neighbours, friends, maybe family. They can write and have left their legacy in the words of this anthology."

All nine writers--Kelly Babcock, Bernice Connell, Donna Curtin, Diane Ferguson, Alison Hall, Andree Levie-Warrilow, Seana Moorhead, Tracey Richardson and Lori Twining--will perform a short reading at the launch. Autographed copies of Beneath the Surface ($24.95) can be reserved at 376-4233 if you are unable to attend.