Norwich author Lu Dick signing copies of her book "Trust the Messages" at an event to celebrate the book's publishing. The book details Dick's spiritual awakening, as well as stories shared with her by friends and family of their own metaphysical experiences. (Photo by Sarah Genter)

NORWICH — City of Norwich resident and author Lu Dick held a book signing event Wednesday to celebrate the debut of her newly-published book "Trust the Messages," an account of her spiritual awakening and stories from friends and family detailing their own metaphysical experiences.

The event celebrated five months of work writing, editing, and publishing her book, as well as her five decades of experiences that led to her spiritual awakening, from visits to psychics and their predictions coming true, to spirits captured on photographs, and events and synchronicities that were more than just coincidence.

Dozens of area residents attended the celebration at The Cottage Bakery, and enjoyed food, desserts, drinks, and a live reading of a Chapter 13 of Dick's book, written about her friend Sarah Rowan, and read by her friend Jeff Keller.

"I want to tell you a little about Sarah Rowan, Chapter 13. After I wrote her story, I called Sarah and read it to her, asking for her permission to include it in the book," said Dick. "When I finished reading, there was a long, uncomfortable pause on her end of the phone. I waited for what seemed like a long time, and then she said, ‘Lu, I don’t know who that person is that you wrote about. But your words are beautiful.’"

Dick thanked the many people who shared their own spiritual experiences with her, and allowed their stories to be included in her book.