Local author hosts book signing, promotes new cookbook

Zhamir Watson signs his cookbook What's Cooking Z? at the Columbia County Library. (Joshua Turner / Banner News)
Zhamir Watson signs his cookbook What's Cooking Z? at the Columbia County Library. (Joshua Turner / Banner News)

A book signing for "What's Cooking Z?" by Zhamir Watson was held at the Columbia County Library on Tuesday.

The Library board room where the event was held was packed with patrons while Watson was there.

"I'm publishing another book on June 21, which is my birthday... The next one is more of a fitness book, but I'm also writing children's books and illustrating them as well... I'm big on health and fitness but I'm also doing children's books to improve literacy amongst kids and teenagers," Watson said.

Watson grew up in Magnolia and graduated from Walker High School in 2004. In 2011, he graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a bachelor's degree in graphic design and illustration and he moved to Dallas in 2017.

Watson held the book signing Tuesday to promote his new cookbook, which was released in January.

He said that he takes his cooking influences from his family and southern food.

"What's Cooking Z?" has been selling well enough that Watson said he will be touring throughout the United States and Australia for signing events, he said.

"What I would like the people of Magnolia to know is that what I'm doing, you don't have to be from New York or Los Angeles to make things happen. You can do it right here in little Magnolia. They don't need to limit themselves because of where they are from," said Watson

Watson's previous works include "It's All About Balance," a health and fitness book. He also hosts a radio show in Dallas called "The Zhamir Watson Show."

The Columbia County Library has copies of "What's Cooking Z?" in its collection, but a staff member noted it is rarely available to check out due to its high demand.

photo Residents meet with Zhamir Watson. (Joshua Turner / Banner News)
photo A cake with Zhamir Watson's book "What's Cooking Z?" on it was served at the Columbia County Library. (Joshua Turner / Banner News)

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