While Alison August has no idea when her father wrote ‘But Who Will Save Me From the Night’, she knows it would have been a labor of love for a man who spent decades enchanting readers. Bob August passed away in 2011, and his family is now publishing the first of two newly-discovered novels that explore faith, courage, and despair as played out in depression-era small-town America. What would August say about all this? As Alison reflects, applying her Father's sense of humor, "He's in no position to protest."

Los Angeles, CA -- (SBWire) -- 04/22/2015 --Millions of people knew and cherished Bob August for a six-decade writing career spanning The Cleveland Press, The News-Herald, and his nationally syndicated column 'The Wiser Side of Sixty'. Bob August was a master of language in column form, a writer's writer. August, sadly passed away in 2011, but left one final surprise for his family.

The family knew he had written two novels, but were skeptical of ever finding them. So after hours searching through his basement, they were delighted when in the dark recesses they discovered two dusty boxes holding two completely intact novels, and then ever the more excited when they realized what treasure they had uncovered.

What is thought to be the first of the two novels has now been published as 'But Who Will Save Me From the Night', an insightful and moving journey through the people, places and drama of small-town America. It all plays out through a mosaic of fragments that only August could have crafted.

Synopsis:

In this artfully crafted work by renowned columnist Bob August we are introduced to Aquila Ohio upon the return of one of its sons after an absence of nearly 40 years. The protagonist raconteur takes us thru circa 1970s Aquila and in his reflections the depression era small town of his youth. In these reflections our story unfolds as clarity about the long buried past is revealed. With strong undercurrents and Americana themes this literary work continues to develop after the last page has been read.

"We have no idea when these novels were written," explains Alison. "Hints led us to believe that this one was first, and as it was missing a title, I took a line from one of my father's rare poems, as it reflects the theme. The central character, Ralph, certainly has my Father's voice, especially as the youth Ralph. The D-Day experiences were clearly his own.

"There are so many questions we'd like to ask him. We can almost see him, 6:00 o'clock, sipping his dirty martini, discussing this work and making us laugh. His career touched the lives of thousands, and we're proud to be continuing the final chapters of his legacy that never made it public during his long and esteemed life. The novel's plot is like a time capsule of Americana and has its place in any home, school or book club. There's also another volume to come…"

'But Who Will Save Me From the Night', from Elevated Endeavor, Inc, is available now: http://amzn.to/1GLaSHZ

About Robert Olin August
Robert Olin August was born on October 6, 1921 in Ashtabula, Ohio and grew up in Cleveland. He attended Collinwood High School where he played baseball on a championship-winning team. In 1943 he graduated from the College of Wooster, and immediately left for officer training at the Naval Midshipmen's School at Notre Dame. He married Marilynn Eccles on September 23, 1943. As a naval officer, he served with the Special Close Gunfire Support Group for the Normandy Invasion and in the Pacific ending up in China.

In 1946 he went to work as a copy boy for the Cleveland Press, holding several jobs before moving to the sports department in 1951 as a copy editor and make-up man. He covered the Browns (1953-57), became executive sports editor in 1957 and sports editor in 1958. He began writing the sports column in 1964.

In 1978 he left the sports department to write a general column and assume administrative duties. He was associate editor when the Cleveland Press ceased publication in 1982.

That summer he became sports editor and columnist for the News-Herald, the column also appearing in other newspapers of the Horvitz chain. In addition, he began writing in 1982 a column called "The Wiser Side of Sixty," which was distributed nationally by Universal Press Syndicate.

At the end of 1988, he retired as sports editor of the News-Herald and quit writing "The Wiser Side of Sixty" his wife and he moving to Wooster. He continued writing his sports column for the News-Herald.

Bob August died on September 9, 2011.