Even though James Logue graduated from the University of Michigan, he said he set his new book in State College because it's beautiful, and there's a "mystique" about Penn State.

The Student Prophet: Initiation Rites follows a young Penn State student named Jeff Fitzpatrick through the issues and adventures he encounters while evolving into a prophet, Logue said.

In the book -- available on Web sites like Amazon.com -- God the Father and his group of angels have a contest in Heaven to decide who should become God's next prophet, and Fitzpatrick is chosen.

"I'm not trying to sound like a minister ... but the book will be entertaining for people to read because it gives a lighthearted look at a potential prophet," Logue said.

He added the religious aspect of the book isn't overbearing or too extreme, and he's trying to portray an ecumenical message.

"It's a neat story with a spiritual twist," Logue said. "It's not heavy-duty religion."

Another characteristic of the book Logue said students might find interesting is Fitzpatrick's home town -- Ann Arbor, Mich. -- and his chosen place of education: Penn State.

"Because I went to Michigan, I know what Ann Arbor's about and there's a rivalry," Logue said. "I was making a contrast."

He said he thinks the Penn State campus is beautiful, but he also feels the same way about Ann Arbor.

"I'm just trying to portray Penn State as a neat place to be," Logue said. "That's why Jeff picked it."

Currently, Logue said he works as an epidemiologist. Though he has been doing science and technical writing for 30 years, he said he hasn't really written fiction before.

"As a person, it let me step out of the box," Logue said. "I had a lot of fun writing it."

He has been "dabbling" with a second installment of the story, which would possibly feature Fitzpatrick's sophomore year at Penn State, Logue said.

"For me this was neat and the thrill of a lifetime because this is something I never did before," Logue said. "I just enjoyed doing it."