Mike Carey, the former superintendent of the Sebastopol Union School District, started writing after he retired from another school district last summer. Now he has bragging rights to two new novels. On Saturday afternoon, he plans to discuss both of them at Copperfield's Books in Sebastopol.

"Going the Distance: To the Kings, The Story of the National Chess League" (Seven Locks Press, $11.95) tells the story of two unlikely crusaders bent on proving that chess is a sport. The inspiration for Carey's second novel, "Heading for Home, A Baseball Odyssey" (Publish America, $19.95) is based on true events. It describes the journey of a young boy who flees Russia in 1917, resettles in Japan, and becomes the country's greatest baseball player.

Recently I caught up with Carey and asked him about his reinvention as an author.

"I started writing both books right after retiring. However, I had the idea for the chess book back at the time Bobby Fischer had made the game so popular in 1972," Carey said. "The baseball book came from two angles--the first being the true story of Victor Starffin and the other about what happened to Japanese-Americans right after Pearl Harbor, specifically in Sebastopol. "

To help celebrate his books, Carey said Copperfield's is creating an ongoing location in the Sebastopol store for chess players. "Folks can drop in to play a game or reserve the board for a scheduled match. Players will be encouraged to sign up as individuals or teams (and name their respective teams). We are still working on the final details, but will be able to share those on Saturday," Carey said.

He added: "For newer/younger players, we will encourage them to join the Copperfield's 64 Club. Once a youngster has completed 64 games, he/she is eligible for a special award. There will also be drawings for prizes (ranging from chess boards to t-shirts featuring the six teams in the book). Students will also be encouraged to design their own chess pieces (a display of various chess pieces will also be at Copperfield's). "

Currently Carey is working on another book about 1880s baseball. "I formed a league in Amador County three years ago where we play using the old rules and equipment and dressed up in the baggy uniforms of that time. There are some very interesting events from 1850 to 1890 related to baseball and northern California," added Carey.

Meet Mike Carey, Feb. 28. 1:30, Copperfield's Books, 138 Main St., Sebastopol.