The book came as a result of Latham's kidney failure as he became a ghost of himself, he said.
Springfield author Bradley Latham in the Kimball Towers Condominiums where his new book "Haunted Hotel" is set.
Springfield author Bradley Latham has published mostly nonfiction work, such as economics textbooks and energy conservation information.
But a debilitating illness and many trips to the hospital later, Latham has returned to his love of fictional writing in his new book “Haunted Hotel.” The book is set in the historic Kimball Hotel (now Kimball Towers Condominiums) in Springfield where Latham has lived for the past decade.
“Really, it’s not like every haunted story, like all ghost stories. It’s a story for single and married and divorced people who are afraid of love, because Duke (the main character) falls in love, right, but he’s a ghost and he falls in love with a human,” said Latham.
The story started to emerge five years ago, when Latham suffered kidney failure and spent most of his time in the hospital. To recover, he went back to his boyhood fantasy of becoming a creative writer.
The cover of Bradley Latham's new book "Haunted Hotel"
“To focus on getting my strength back and to forget about the sheer terror of being in the hospital, I started writing fiction. Five minutes at first, then 10 minutes, 15 minutes, and now I’ve written several novels based on fact,” he said.
And while the recovery process was painful, it brought about a new chapter in Latham’s life. His personal experiences helped shape the story and inspire his characters.
“As I got better from my illness, from dialysis and kidney failure and what not, I shed layers of myself. I became a ghost of myself. So I started writing from the perspective of Dukie Latham (the ghost in the novel),” said Latham.
Latham’s friend at Kimball Towers who also suffered a major illness provided more inspiration for Latham’s book.
“My friend here at the hotel, Dr. Madness is his name in the book, developed lung cancer. And so Dr. Madness is the ghost emerging from my friend. It all started as two people recovering from illness as ghosts of themselves. And really there’s a lot of humor and fun in the book but it does have some serious overtones, or its genesis did,” said Latham.
Latham is originally from Ohio, but attended Harvard University. Although Springfield is a far distance from the foothills of the Appalachia where he grew up, Latham said he loves living at the Kimball Towers Condominium, where he is also a board member.
Latham standing in the lobby of the Kimball Towers Condominiums where his book "Haunted Hotel" is set.
For believers in the paranormal or those looking to see ghosts, Latham said the historic Kimball Towers is a perfect place.
“I think many people here have either sensed, I’ve never seen the ghost here at the Kimball but I’ve felt them, and other people at the Kimball have seen the ghosts,” said Latham.
But don’t worry about encountering any mean ghosts – Latham said only friendly ghosts reside at the Kimball.
“I’m 59 years old, I’ve only met a few evil people in my life. And I’ve never met an evil ghost or scary ghost. These are all friendly ghosts. It’s about taking the scary stuff out of the closet. Getting scared a little bit and then having a good laugh and moving on,” Latham said.
Latham’s book “Haunted Hotel” can be purchased for $21.95 plus tax at the Kimball Towers Condominiums located at 140 Chestnut St., Springfield, or on Amazon.com. The e-book can also be purchased from Amazon.com.