Local author Ron Johnston writing second book
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A retired sports writer encouraged by the response to his first book is writing a second.
Ron Johnston covered sports at The Marietta Times and The Parkersburg News and Sentinel, first as a stringer for The Times in 1988, then fulltime with The Sentinel in 1992 before fully retiring in 2020. He was named the sports editor for The Times in 2007
His first book, "One Game Wonder," was released in 2023 and is available on the major online outlets including Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Johnston said he's trying to get the book into Walmart and Kroger.
"The publisher is pleased and I'm pleased with the way things are progressing," Johnston said.
"One Game Wonder" is about Johnston participating in sports despite having bronchiectasis, a lung condition, but scoring 16 points in two quarters of a basketball game, the highlight of his career, as a non-starter.
The book is about the coaches, teammates and others on the sidelines and about persevering despite health issues.
The second novel, a sequel to "One Game Wonder" except as an adult, will be "Berg Boy: The Life and Times of a Student Prince" that will be released in a few months. It will be about his career at Heidelberg University at Tiffin, Ohio.
Johnston, who interviewed his classmates, said the book will be released in late summer or early fall.
"It's a work in progress," he said.
Unlike "One Game Wonder," Johnston said "Berg Boy" will focus more on his adult life. "'Berg Boy' is more of an autobiography," he said.
Johnston has kept active with his writing since his retirement. It's enjoyable and a way to remain active in retirement, he said.
"I pretty much write whenever I feel like it," he said.
"I love writing," Johnston said. "I've always loved writing."
Working at The Times was a valuable learning experience, he said.
It shaped his way of writing, Johnston said.
"I learned a lot while I was there," he said.
As a young sports writer, Johnston said he was mentored by the late Bill Robinson and Dave Grande, respected sports writers at The Marietta Times. Johnston said he learned much from Robinson and Grande about writing and the profession.
"I just liked their style of writing," Johnston said.
"One-Game Wonder" also is available at the Parkersburg & Wood County Public Library, Washington County Public Library in Marietta and in most libraries in southeast Ohio.
While "Berg Boy" has yet to hit the publisher's desk, Johnston is thinking about a third book.
"That will be about a handicapped child," Johnston said. "But that's going to be down the road a bit."
Jess Mancini can be reached at jmancini@newsandsentinel.com.