The book is a collection of poetry, prose, short stories and personal essays from Long's more than 20-year career as a writer and journalist.

"This book is for anyone that enjoys reading words written from the heart," said Beverly Nichols, Pine Country Media co-founder and member of the Dallas Press Club. "And there is also a surprise or two along the way."

The collection includes poems broken down into three sections: Relationships, Observations and Coping. In addition, there are three short stories, and three personal memory essays.

"I am thrilled Pine Country Media is able to publish this compilation of poems, short stories and other writings. It's been a lifelong dream," Long said. "I write from the soul, and these works show the roots of where I came from as a creative writer who later became a journalist."

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to the Cass County Chapter of the American Cancer Society in memory of Long's sister, Beth, who died from breast cancer at age 41.

The book is available at Atlanta, Texas gift shops, two locations in Linden, Texas, Books-A-Million in Texarkana, and Adel Printing Co. in Adel, Ga. It can also be purchased on the internet through SonnyLong.com in association with Amazon.com.

The author will take part in two book signings in June -- on Saturday, June 5 at Bob's Printing and Hallmark in Atlanta, Texas, and on Saturday, June 19 at Books-A-Million in Texarkana.

Long, who began writing poetry and short stories as early as elementary school, has been honored for his work in the field of writing. He was an assistant editor of the 1983 Southeastern Conference Football Media Guide that was honored nationally by the Sports Information Directors of America as Best in the Nation. While at the Citizens-Journal, an Atlanta, Texas bi-weekly newspaper, he won an East Texas Press Association Award for column writing.

Since 1991, Long published the Pine Country Bulletin, a free, three-times a week community newspaper in newsletter format and the Pine Country Magazine, an annual four-color keepsake. He suspended publication of the Bulletin in February of 1999 to concentrate on his creative writing projects.

The second volume of the "A Long Look" series, a collection of Long's newspaper columns, is slated for release later this year. Long will be attending the annual Maui Writers' Conference in Sept. to meet with literary agents and book publishers.