So maybe author Dave Hatter is not as well known as John Grisham and Stephen King.

He's the first to admit readers may not want to curl up in front of a fire with Lotus Notes and Domino 6 Application Development. Nor are they standing in line, as they did for Pete Rose's book, to get a signed copy of Teach Yourself Lotus Notes 4.6 in 24 Hours.

But Hatter, a Fort Wright city councilman active in GOP politics, has written 11 highly technical books on computer programming and applications. The most recent Lotus Notes book has just hit stores.

"I know these books aren't for everybody," Hatter said. "But if you work with computers these books can do a lot to teach you about various programs and applications. They aren't huge sellers, but they are loaded with information."

Hatter is president of Libertas Technologies in Covington, which he describes as a "technology solutions provider focused on Web-based software development and consulting." He and Libertas CEO Tim Bankes - co-author on many of Hatter's books - have a roster of clients that includes Procter & Gamble, Hill-Rom, Toyota, NCR and Kroger Co.

Hatter's book is dedicated to his wife, Leslee, and their children, Samuel, Wyatt and Emma Rose.

CASH FOR CLOONEY: Democrat Nick Clooney raised $53,168 for the 4th Congressional District campaign, according to his Federal Election Commission finance report, which covers the last three months of 2003.

Clooney trails Republicans Geoff Davis ($203,708) and Kevin Murphy ($73,193) in fourth-quarter fund-raising. But Eric Gentry, Clooney's campaign consultant, pointed out that Clooney - who didn't enter the race until the last week of November - raised the cash in just five days of making phone calls in December.

And unlike the GOP, Clooney and the Democrats are not facing a contested primary in May.

Incumbent Ken Lucas, a Boone County Democrat, is not seeking re-election.

Topping Clooney's donor list is his son, actor George Clooney, who gave his dad $4,000 - $2,000 for the primary cycle and $2,000 for the general election.

FLETCHER SPEAKS: Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher is scheduled to deliver his first speech in Northern Kentucky since taking office in early December.

Fletcher is to speak Friday at the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Government Forum, which will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel in Covington.

For information, call (859) 578-6395.

THEY SAID IT: "He thought more of Kentucky's future than he did of his own political future." - State Rep. Steve Nunn at the memorial service for his father, former Gov. Louie B. Nunn.

E-mail pcrowley@enquirer.com