A book title will come to life tonight at a book signing in Ames. Richard Acton will be making an appearance at Big Table Books at 7:30 p.m. to sign and read his latest book, “A Brit Among the Hawkeyes.”

Acton is a member of the British House of Lords, where he holds his family’s hereditary seat. He was introduced to Iowa 10 years ago when he married Patricia Nassif, a professor of law at the University of Iowa. The couple met while Nassif was vacationing in England.

Acton presently splits his time between England and Iowa, crossing the Atlantic about 10 times per year.

“Brit” was released June 30 and is a collection of essays, radio scripts and book reviews, some humorous and some serious. The book is devoted to stories and anecdotes of Iowa, the United States, London and even Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), where Acton grew up with nine siblings.

Acton is an accomplished author, having pieces published in The New York Times Book Review, The Iowan and The North American Review. He estimates that he has submitted about 80 pieces to The Des Moines Register, and 30 of these are published in the book.

Acton says he decided to publish the book to let people know his feelings about Iowa and the states. “When I came here I knew little about Iowa,” Acton said, “yet I find myself extremely happy.”

Overall, Acton said he is very pleased with the reception of the book so far. “Brit” has sold record numbers, forcing numerous 24-person-long waiting lists to be made in bookstores and libraries.

Acton said he considers these examples a tremendous compliment to the book, giving him great pleasure that it’s been so well accepted.

Distinctive of the book, Acton points out, is the its cover. Wiley, known for his immensely popular, internationally syndicated “Non-Sequiter” comic strip, illustrated the cover. The widely known “American Gothic” painting appears slightly altered, with the man wearing a Buckington Palace sentry’s hat.

Wiley had never illustrated a book cover for an author before, and he did so upon special request from Acton.

Presently, Acton is working on another book which expands on the section in “Brit” about his childhood. He hopes to have it published, but if not, he will write it for the enjoyment of his family.

Tonight’s signing is free and open to the public. Acton will be reading for 20 to 30 minutes in addition to signing copies of “Brit.”