Vicksburg resident writes, publishes novel

Where the Ferry Crosses is the story of the McKenzie family and is drawn from many of the author's own experiences while growing up in the Delta. Woods said the title concerns a point where a ferry crosses the Sunflower River.

The 1963 forestry management graduate wrote the book in less than two months when he was sidelined by heart surgery. He then formed his own publishing company--RCW Publishing--and named it after his two sons, Richey and Chuck. Where the Ferry Crosses was the company's first project.

Woods has been trying to market his book while completing his second novel, The Trial, a sequel to the first.

So far, though, he's kept his day job at the Vicksburg District Corps of Engineers where he's worked for 28 years. After he retires, however, Woods plans to write full time.