Josh Hornaday, a writer with roots in Homer and the Kenai Peninsula, signs his science fiction and fantasy novel, “The Meth Conspiracy,” from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday at the Homer Bookstore. Writing as J.E. Horn, Hornaday explores the issue of methamphetamine abuse in a science fiction context where meth addicts provide power for nonhuman beings.

“I took it off the deep end,” Hornaday said. “What’s the worst case scenario with meth? What if people were forced into meth addiction?”

Born in Soldotna to James Hornaday and the late Karen Hornaday, Josh Hornaday, 39, lived in Kenai before moving to Homer. He also lived in Iowa before returning to Homer, where he graduated from Homer High School in 1992. Hornaday went to Monmouth College, Illinois, and received his law degree from the University of Iowa.  He lives in Libertyville, Ill., a suburb of Chicago, where he has a law practice in employment law.

“The Meth Conspiracy” came about from Hornaday’s work as a family law attorney, where he had a number of cases dealing with meth and how it destroys families. He started writing after a group of friends encouraged him to write his book. 

“I’ve been a closet writer my whole life,” he said.

“The Meth Conspiracy” is published by Trafford Publishing and is available as a trade paperback and an e-book in the Kobo, Nook and Amazon Kindle formats.