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NATCHEZ – Josephine Williams Fort says she started writing because she had free time and a story to tell.

Fort, who has self-published a book under the pen name Pink Lacey, was born and raised in Adams County. She attended Sadie V. Thompson High School and spent her career working in Natchez and Adams County. She raised three children – Melissa Fort, Yolanda Fort and Michael Anthony Fort – and when she retired she began to write short stories.

Her collection of short stories, titled “Stories From the Heart by Pike Lacey,” has been published by Xlibris publishing.

The book tells the story of Mae Lee Morgan, who was born on a plantation and worked in the cotton fields of Natchez. Morgan falls for Sugar Ray, “her knight in shining armor,” who tries to introduce Morgan to a career as a blues singer. Ultimately, Morgan discovers Ray is “a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

Fort said while sales of the book have been slower than expected, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. “When I talk to people about it they say it sounds like a best seller,” she said. “I just want people to know it’s available and they can buy it.”

The book is available online at barnesandnoble.com, xlibris.com and on amazon.com.