FARMINGTON — It seems fitting that a man who loves his work as a librarian would also love to write books.

Bryce Cundick, a librarian at the University of Maine at Farmington’s Mantor Library, writes under the pen name, Bryce Moore. His first published book, “Vodnik,” was released earlier this month.

The Farmington Public Library will introduce the author, provide an opportunity for him to read from his work and sign copies starting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, Librarian Melanie Coombs said. The public is welcome.

A fantasy adventure, “Vodnik,” follows the experiences of a teenage boy who moves back to Trencin, Slovakia, when his American home burns, Cundick said Thursday. Born to a Slovakian mother and American father, the teen, Thomas, finds he can see and interact with mythical creatures that others consider Slovakian folklore. In a sub-plot, Thomas’ olive-colored skin, which is accepted as white in America, causes him to deal with racial prejudice when the native Slovakians consider him an undesirable as a quarter Roma or Gypsy, Cundick said.

A vodnik is a water creature that wants to drown humans, steal their souls and put them in a teacup, he said. The creature is neither all good nor evil, it just is, he said.

Cundick’s interest in Slovakia stems partly from his marriage. He married, Denisa, a native Slovakian in 2001 and the couple visited her family the following year. He loved the city and the castle where his brother-in-law worked. A fountain featuring a vodnik captivated him and provided a multi-national setting for the character and plot to develop.

Cundick met his wife in a German phonetics class at Brigham Young University. She speaks six languages. He speaks four.

Growing up in states along the East Coast and Utah, he was asked where he wanted to live when he grew up. Although he’d only been to Portland once at that point, he answered Maine.

After earning a degree in English and linguistics from BYU, he went on to earn a master’s degree in creative writing and library science.

An opportunity to come to UMF just over four years ago to work at Mantor Library enabled him to fulfill his desire to live in Maine.

“If you could build a place just for me, Farmington would be it,” he said.

He loves the area’s small-town atmosphere and finds it a great place to raise their two children, he said.

Rising an hour early every day, he writes about 1,000 words before going to work. If he doesn’t complete the 1,000 words, he finishes it when he gets home. Although this is his first published book, he has completed seven others. Most based on teenagers, usually boys, embroiled in fantasy adventures.

While in Utah, he was invited to join a writing group led by New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson. Sanderson had just been published and was committed to writing. Competitive by nature, Cundick said he found the experience led him to write even more.

Sanderson endorsed the new book saying, “Vodnik is compelling, interesting and darkly humorous. I think you’ll love it.”

Cundick continues his interaction with several writer friends in Utah using Skype. He’s encouraging them to come to Maine but usually gets a question about what the winter is like, he said.

He’s working already on his next book but doesn’t close the door to another one based on “Vodnik.” He doesn’t see an immediate sequel, the book is finished as is, but there are some loose ends that could develop into more, he said.

He also plans to continue with his day job as a librarian, one that he enjoys. He chairs a central Maine librarian group, is active in his church and is busy raising a family.

This first book is now available at Devaney Doak and Garrett Booksellers in Farmington and from online book sites.

“It’s receiving good reviews,” he said.

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