Musician-turned-author coming to High Point

Mar. 8—HIGH POINT — Brendan Slocumb can only chuckle at the disastrous science-fiction novel he wrote 20-some years ago.

"I submitted it to an agent, who was brutally honest and told me how awful it was," Slocumb recalled during a recent telephone interview from his home in Washington, D.C. "He told me I should write what I know."

What Slocumb knows is music, and his first two published novels — "The Violin Conspiracy" and "Symphony of Secrets," both of which are musically themed and have been well-received — are a direct result of that agent's sound advice.

And for Slocumb's third novel, "Dark Maestro," which he recently completed?

"I'm sticking with the music theme," he said.

Slocumb, who grew up in Fayetteville, will be the featured speaker at next week's spring luncheon of the High Point Literary League. The event is closed to the public, but he'll have a public book-signing following the presentation.

What makes Slocumb's story unusual is that he's an accomplished violinist and music educator whose career plans had always revolved around music rather than literature (with the notable exception of that abysmal sci-fi novel). He began taking violin lessons at 9, played through high school, earned a music education degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and carved out a successful career performing and teaching music.

Then came the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I was a working musician, and when COVID happened, everything stopped," Slocumb said. "I needed a creative outlet."

Remembering the literary agent's advice, Slocumb tried writing again and wrote what would become the first chapter of "The Violin Conspiracy." He submitted it to that same agent, who encouraged him to turn it into a book. Two months later, it was written.

The book tells the story of Ray McMillian, a young Black musician who discovers that his old, beat-up family fiddle is actually a priceless Stradivarius.

"The instrument takes him to superstardom in the world of classical music," Slocumb said, "but then someone steals it, and we have to figure out who took it and if he'll get it back."

Slocumb's second book, "Symphony of Secrets," is also a thriller. It's the story of Bern Hendricks, a musicologist who is tasked with authenticating the long-lost masterpiece of a famous composer and discovers the composer may have been a fraud.

"When he finds out this guy may not have written any of his music, he finds himself in the crosshairs of a powerful organization that will stop at nothing to keep that truth from getting out," Slocumb explained.

In addition to his books' entertainment value, Slocumb believes "The Violin Conspiracy" has pointed out a shortcoming in the world of classical music — a lack of diversity in orchestras — even though that wasn't his goal.

"My only goal was to write a story that people would enjoy, and this is a wonderful side effect," he said. "I'm happy it's reaching so many people and having such an impact."

Brendan Slocumb will sign copies of his books at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, following his presentation to the High Point Literary League. The signing will be at the High Point Country Club, 800 Country Club Drive. Slocumb's presentation is not open to the public, but the signing is.

Jtomlin@hpenews.com — 336-888-3579