As a fifth grader, Josiah Golojuh faced a dilemma.His teacher had assigned the class to write a descriptive essay about a family vacation, but Josiah hadn’t been on a vacation he thought was interesting. So, Josiah wrote about a fictional vacation that included far-fetched interactions with the supernatural. Josiah’s classmates voted his essay one of the best, and Josiah was hooked on writing fiction. Josiah Golojuh, 42, now lives in Huntington Beach, California, but his first novel, “The Paper Boy” (Stage Beetle Books / 2024), is paranormal fiction inspired by the author’s experiences growing up in Russellton — a small Allegheny County town about 20 miles northeast of Downtown Pittsburgh — and delivering newspapers in a trailer park in West Deer. Interacting with people on the paper route and listening to customers at his family’s hair salon connected Josiah to his community. “That was how I began to learn character,” he said.Penny Golojuh, 7, waits as her father, Josiah Golojuh, signs his book, “The Paper Boy,” on Dec. 31, 2024. Penny and her sister, Primrose Golojuh, 5, designed the cover for one of their father’s comic books. Photo by John Beale. In addition to the inspiration gained from customers he met, the money earned delivering papers helped to fuel his passion for reading and collecting comic books. Decades later, Josiah started a comic book company and published three of his own comic books, sometimes featuring character namesakes of people from his childhood.Josiah moved to California in 2002 to attend the University of Southern California. He teaches writing at Coastline Community College, but he’s quick to credit growing up in Russellton, population 1,200, with feeding his imagination for fiction. “I’d walk over to Palmer’s drugstore with my older brother to buy Slush Puppies. To a very small kid, that walk was like navigating the streets of a large city. The buildings felt gigantic,” Josiah recalled. Shelly Irvine of Curtisville talks with Josiah Golojuh, left, about his book. Josiah’s daughter, Primrose Golojuh, 5, is seated next to her father. Photo by John Beale.On New Year’s Eve, Josiah returned to Russellton’s Palmer Pharmacy to promote his book. By mid-morning, a dozen people formed a line that extended to the pharmacy counter next to a wall displaying orthopedic shoes. At the far end of the counter, a young man wearing a ball cap waited for a prescription near a display for live bait. Sharpie in hand, the author and his two young daughters sat at a table facing a rack stacked with the latest edition of the newspaper Josiah delivered 30 years ago. Behind him, several customers sat on green-padded stools as they drank coffee at a soda fountain counter repurposed as a coffee bar. Josiah Golojuh, left, waits to sign his book, “The Paper Boy,” as Josiah’s father, George Golojuh, greets a visitor to the book signing event. Behind Josiah is his wife, Judy Golojuh. Photo by John Beale.The Russellton pharmacy has been a hub in the community for decades, and the book signing resembled a homecoming of sorts. Josiah later said the gathering was “magical.” His hometown no longer seemed so large.Josiah’s wife and parents were there. Shirley Irvine came from Curtisville. Shirley’s daughter, Erin Irvine Nemazee, from Northern Virginia was there with her two daughters. Erin was in a school play with Josiah. Gary Lutz of Gibsonia, one of Josiah’s high school friends and a namesake for a character in one of Josiah’s comic books, came to get a photo. Chris Cushman was there to buy a book. He and Josiah shared a seat on the school bus. “We’re proud of you,” a woman with short graying hair said with a smile as Josiah wrote an inscription inside her book. Later in the week, Josiah said he was welcomed during a visit to Deer Lakes Middle School to talk with students about his book and his career. “I’m overwhelmed with gratitude and humbled by my community,” Josiah said. “I may live somewhere else, but this will always be my home.”Josiah Golojuh’s comic books and novel are displayed at a book signing in Russellton, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 31, 2024. Photo by John Beale.The post Josiah Golojuh’s journey from Russellton paperboy to paranormal author appeared first on NEXTpittsburgh.