As early as 9:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, a line began forming in Highlands. Filled with eager Pat Conroy fans, it snaked down Main Street and by noon, when the number-one best-selling author arrived at Cyrano’s Bookshop to sign his new book, “South of Broad,” the line had moved around the corner and down Highway 64 East.

Throughout the afternoon Highlands residents and visitors from North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida and other surrounding states chatted as they waited to purchase the book and meet its famous author.

When Pat Conroy arrived in Highlands at the beginning of summer 2006, he had no idea how his first novel since “Beach Music” (1995) would take shape or end. In response to this reporter’s question: Do you have an outline of the story — at least in your mind — before you begin and then write to fill in the details? Conroy replies: “Absolutely not. I never know how a story will end until I get there.”

But what Conroy did know as be began to pen “South of Broad” — in long hand as he always does — was that it would take place in Charleston, S.C., his favorite city, and that it would involve the father he wished he’d had instead of the abusive, violent and impossible-to-please Marine he actually had and depicted so vividly in his novel, “The Great Santini.”

Why Highlands? Conroy tells Macon County News: “It’s a great place to get away and write. I can relax here. And the good people allowed me the undisturbed atmosphere I needed.”

Part of that undisturbed atmosphere could be attributable to two of the residents on Center Drive. Beverly Howell hosted a neighborhood cocktail party one evening and invited the Conroys to meet everyone. After introductions and getting to know the two authors, neighbors were urged to let them write in peace — thus the undisturbed atmosphere. In appreciation, Conroy mentions Beverly Howell and her next door neighbor, John Jeffers, as special friends in the acknowledgments section of the book.

It wasn’t the first time Conroy had come to this Western North Carolina mountain resort. Few people realized that he penned a good portion of “Prince of Tides” in a house on Owl Gap Road in Highlands.

Cyrano’s Bookshop, a fixture on Main Street in Highlands since 1978, is one of Conroy’s favorite places as well. And it isn’t just because the establishment sells his books. Conroy tells the story of the first time he came to town. One of the banks here did not recognize him and would not cash his check. So Conroy thought, “Maybe they’ll know who I am at the bookstore.”

“Without question,” Randolph Shaffner, Cyrano’s founder and then owner said. Ever since, Conroy has cashed his checks at Cyrano’s. He refers to Shaffner as his “banker.”

The book’s narrator, Leopold Bloom King, is nicknamed “Toad,” and the story takes place from 1969 until Hurricane Hugo, some 20 years later. Its title comes from Charleston’s oldest and most desirable residential section, in the triangle between the Cooper and Ashley rivers south of Broad Street.

“South of Broad,” which was released just a month ago, has catapulted to the top of the best seller lists of both the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. Like his other novels, this one draws heavily on Conroy’s own life and experiences. It involves two suicides; Conroy’s brother Tom committed suicide in 1994. It involves sadness. And it involves South Carolina. Conroy and his wife reside on Fripp Island, S.C. (population about 900).

Four of Conroy’s novels have been made into movies: “The Water is Wide” starring Jon Voight (The movie was retitled Conrack); “The Great Santini” starring Robert Duvall; “The Lords of Discipline” starring David Keith and based on life at The Citadel, which Conroy attended and “Prince of Tides” starring Nick Nolte and Barbara Streisand. In between the novels “Beach Music” and South of Broad, Conroy published “My Losing Season” (2002), an autobiography featuring his stint as a basketball player at The Citadel and “The Pat Conroy Cookbook: Recipes of My Life (2004).”

Conroy returned to Highlands on Saturday, Sept. 5, for the book signing, the final stop of a six-city book tour that began in New York Aug. 10. The book signing took place at Cyrano’s Bookshop. Arthur and Clair Simpson, owners of Cyrano’s since 2006, have had a number of impressive book signings at the quaint little shop. “But this is the first time we’ve had a book signing by an author while he was number one on the best seller list,” Arthur Simpson says.

The status of the author and the early success of the book was quite evident on Saturday. Although the book signing was scheduled for noon to 3 p.m., the shop allowed people to stay in line until 4:30. And a whopping 1,300 books had been sold. Since the publisher’s rep had gathered books from all over the region for this signing, word is there may not be another copy of “South of Broad” available in the Southeast.

One of those standing in line to have his copy signed, Dr. J.C. Gilbert Jr. of Highlands and Florida, says, I think he may be the greatest living American writer. I always thought William Faulkner was the greatest, but I think Conroy may surpass him. “Beach Music” is my favorite.

Kathy Daiken of Scaly Mountain, whose favorite is “Prince of Tides,” says, “I don’t know if he’s the greatest living American writer, but he is certainly the greatest living southern writer.” To which Gilbert quipped, “If you’re the greatest southern writer, you have to be the greatest American writer.”

Carol Barton of Highlands and Atlanta, says, “I like him, and I love his style. My husband is reading his book on a Kindle now. Since only one of us at a time can read it that way, I’m buying the book. I can’t wait ‘til he finishes.” “Prince of Tides” is also her favorite.

Pat Allen is a real estate agent in Highlands. She says, “I recently listed the house where he wrote the book. I love his work. So many people can relate to it. He’s just fabulous.” Molly Leonard, also of Highlands, likes “Water is Wide” best. I have read it and have seen the movie many times,” she says.

Terri Benson of Marietta, Ga., comes to Highlands once or twice a year. She says, “I’m an avid reader. The other day I was in a bookstore in my home town and leafed through “South of Broad.” I had to have it, but I was there for another reason and didn’t get it. So I came to Highlands today and discovered that I could not only purchase the book, but meet the author as well. What a thrill!”

Mary Louise McLaurin of Anderson, S.C., and Highlands (Little Bear Pen), says, “I met him with my two granddaughters when he was in our neighborhood. We had a delightful visit. He is a wonderful author and person.”

Marty Lee and his wife, Midge, of Greenville, S.C., recently bought a home in Highlands. When he spoke with Macon County News, they had been standing in line over an hour and a half. Five years ago he spent the summer in a home on Lake Lure near Chimney Rock. A neighbor there stopped him one day to admire his pet dachshund. Later the neighbor introduced himself. “I’m Pat Conroy,” he said.

“Pat is one of the nicest, most down-to-earth people I’ve ever met,” Lee says. “We had a great time next door to him that summer. I love his books. I’ll tell you how much. I’ve already bought and read his book. To get him to sign the book, however, you need to buy it here at Cyrano’s. I’m buying four. That’s the limit.”

“Nice” is a word you’ll frequently hear to describe Conroy. A couple of years ago, a private school in Atlanta held an auction as part of its fundraiser. One of the most sought after prizes was to be named as a character in Conroy’s next book. When you read “South of Broad” and come to the San Francisco section, and one of the detectives is Jack Cross, you’ll discover who the winning bidder was.

Conroy frequently admonishes his friends: “Remember where you came from ... remember your roots.” Read “South of Broad” or any of his other books, and you’ll know Pat Conroy remembers his.