Mentor photographer Johnny Joo is releasing a book titled "Empty Spaces: Photojournalism Through The Rust Belt," which can be preordered on his website, Architectural Afterlife, for the next seven days.

The 116-page hardcover book is 11.25 inches by 8.75 inches, and each book preordered through Joo's website will be personally signed by the author/photographer. (Only seven days left to preorder to receive a personally signed book and free gift.)

The book is also available as an e-book through Amazon.

Some of Joo's photos were recently featured on a viral Buzzfeed post on abandoned malls. His photos of abandoned buildings have been on display at Mentor Public Library.

Joo also has shared some of his work on News-Herald.com:

• Mentor Marsh fire, Nov. 5, 2013
• Winter weather photos, Nov. 27, 2013
• Mentor Fire Department training, Dec. 17, 2013
• Winter weather photos, January 2014

Find more of Joo's photography on his Facebook pages Johnny Joo Photography and Urbex.

Local author and News-Herald Community Media Lab blogger M.E. Betsy McMillan will be at Perry Public Library on May 3 (map). More information from a news release:

What can you possibly do for a person who is dying? What meaningful gift can you give to someone who no longer has the need or want of material possessions?

In her latest book, “A Mystery in the Mailbox,” local author M.E. Betsy McMillan discusses her long history of confronting this issue and her years of success in making the “gift of thought” a special way to give hope and inspiration to those who are fighting a long, hard battle.

Betsy will be appearing at Perry Public Library on Saturday, May 3rd where she will be talking with library visitors about how they too can give the “gift of thought” when nothing else seems appropriate. Signed copies of “A Mystery in the Mailbox” will be available for purchase.

About the Author
A native of Cleveland, Betsy and her family have resided in Perry, Ohio for the last 40 years. Betsy is the head writer and editor for a pharmaceutical research organization as a full time avocation, but still finds the time to write on her own time. “A Mystery in the Mailbox” is her fifth non-fiction book.

What people are saying about “A Mystery in the Mailbox”
“His Holiness sends prayerful good wishes for your work with the terminally ill. Invoking upon you the joy and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ, he cordially imparts his Apostolic Blessing.”
— Secretariat of State for Pope Benedict, The Vatican, 13 February 2010

“When one is ill and becomes a patient, the secret in caring for the patient, is caring about the patient. Betsy’s stories are fascinating and describe her twenty-plus years of caring and compassion for those in need. I highly recommend this book.”
— John L. Turner, M.D., author of Miracles and Manifestations: A Doctor’s Journey Through the Worlds of Divine Intervention, Near-Death Experiences, and Universal Energy

“One of the greatest blessings in life is to die having been loved and cared about. Betsy, through her wonderful and thoughtful book, has shown us how we all can express our love and care for those who need it the most.”
— Dr. Harold J. Bowersox, author of The Bowersox Protocol for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue

“My tears flowed because of the simplicity of the idea, shared with such an open heart. Betsy writes, “There are times when I think I am getting much as in the sending as the recipient gets in the receiving.” To which I say, “Amen.” That is exactly the experience I have every time I do Reiki at the hospital. And her process does not involve any sort of training!”
— Elisabeth Petry, author of Can Anything Beat White? A Black Family’s Letters and At Home Inside: A Daughter's Tribute to Ann Petry

Betsy McMillan works as a writer and editor for Ricerca Biosciences in Concord, OH. She attended The Ohio State University and Cleveland State University. She is currently marketing her non-fiction books and has two novels that are scheduled for publication this year. McMillan also pens a blog at http://thefracturedanecdote.blogspot.com/.