Decker part of WNC Author Fest

Promoting a book is hard work. First-time author and Black Mountain native Jon Decker knows that about as well anyone.

Decker, who launched his book “Golf Is My Life: Glorifying God Through the Game” in early November, is one of the authors at the Barnes & Nobles Asheville Mall location on Feb. 11 for the WNC Author Fest. He has previously held book signings at Owen High School and the Town Hardware Store.

“It will feature all first-time authors,” Decker said of the Barnes and Noble event. “This will be a tremendous opportunity to showcase my book.”

From 2-4 p.m., Decker will be joined by 12 other authors from Western North Carolina. “Each author will have their own table,” he said. “We’ll be signing the books and talking with the people that stop by.”

Promoting his book has been a full-time job for the former PGA teaching professional, who has made appearances throughout North Carolina and beyond in anticipation of his book's upcoming nationwide release by Christian Faith Publishing.

The book is available at the Town Hardware Store, both Asheville Barnes & Noble locations and the Battery Park Book Exchange in Asheville. He held a book signing at the Biltmore Park Town Square Barnes & Noble on Feb. 4.

Decker has appeared at book signings from Ohio to Florida, including one in Atlanta where he met Larry Nelson, three-time men’s major championship winner and 1983 U.S. Open champion.

“That was the most amazing experience,” Decker said. “I spoke at the Atlanta Country Club, and Larry Nelson came to hear me speak. He bought a book from me, so here I am giving my autograph to Larry Nelson.”

Decker will also be speaking at Shorter University in Atlanta in February and the headquarters of golf manufacturer KZG in March.

“I’ve done anywhere between 20-30 speeches promoting it so far,” he said. “I’ve personally sold over 400 books myself. I’ve really been blessed.”

Decker’s book tells the story of how God used golf as a vessel for him to promote the gospel, using anecdotes from his life growing up in Black Mountain and his time around the game of golf.

“Ultimately it’s a Christian book,” he said. “People look at it and think of it as a golf book, but that’s just the hook. I use that to promote the gospel.”