Actor and model Jimmy Flint-Smith, a 2008 Northwest High School graduate who now lives in North Hollywood, has added the title author to his resume.
For his debut novel, he drew on the rich history of House Springs, where he grew up.
He says his book, titled “The House by the Spring” and written under the pen name J. Flint, is historical fiction and was inspired by Adam House and the massacre of his family in March 1800.
“Essentially, it’s a young boy who faced tragedy at an early age and used that experience to help him shape the world around him,” Flint-Smith said.
Flint-Smith, 32, will sign copies of his novel from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28, at the Northwest Branch of the Jefferson County Library, 5680 Hwy. PP, in High Ridge.
Ginger Brickey, genealogy senior clerk at the library, said she’s looking forward to the book-signing.
“It’s also exciting for someone from the area leaving and being successful and then still returning to their roots in this way,” she said.
Brickey said she also is excited about the novel’s topic.
“Even if it’s a fictionalized version of events, it’s still exciting to see your hometown mentioned in print,” she said.
Flint-Smith said his father, Jim Flint-Smith, often talked about the House Springs Massacre and the two children who got away.
He said he researched the event and could not find much information about what happened to the children, so his book imagines a possible scenario.
“Well, here’s what I think could have happened,” the author said. “My character is based on a boy, so it’s not historically 100 percent accurate, but it’s based on a true story.
“I wrote it specifically to kind of pay homage to people in the House Springs, High Ridge area, just small towns in general.”
Jimmy Flint-Smith said Morse Mill is also mentioned in the book, and the cover of the book features a photo of himself, as well as one of the Cedar Hill Mill.
Flint-Smith said he started the book around 2014 and self-published the book on Nov. 26.
He said the signing on Dec. 28 will be his first, and he is excited to return to his hometown for the event.
Flint-Smith will sell copies of his book for $10 each at the book signing. In addition, his book may be purchased online at books2read.com/u/b6v6YA.
Acting career
After college, Flint-Smith moved to North Hollywood to pursue an acting and modeling career and has found some success in the fields.
“It didn’t come easily, but I’m a hard worker,” he said.
According to the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) website, Flint-Smith has 21 acting credits and five stunt credits.
He said his biggest success so far was his role on two seasons of “Back Stabber,” an Amazon show for which he received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a web series.
“Nominations are always nice,” he said.
Flint-Smith said he commonly plays a “frat guy” type character.
“I prefer to play the more meaty roles, the darker roles,” he said.