JARED SOARES | The Roanoke Times

Author John Grisham (left) was at Binding Time Cafe in Martinsville on Wednesday with congressional candidate Tom Perriello.

MARTINSVILLE -- Signs promoting Tom Perriello for the 5th Congressional District seat could be seen Wednesday along the road leading up to Binding Time Cafe.

But the literature in the hands of dozens of people lined up outside the small cafe wasn't anything about Perriello.

They were holding the many works of novelist John Grisham.

Grisham and Perriello teamed up to attract voters in Southwest and Southside Virginia, an area known for its support of Perriello's opponent, Rep. Virgil Goode, R-Rocky Mount.

Combining Perriello's message with Grisham's star power was a way to bring national attention to the region, the candidate said.

Grisham has "always been able to capture the middle class of the South," Perriello said. "John Grisham's novels champion the little guy who stands up to the powerful, a spirit that Southside Virginians can connect with."

Grisham lives in the Charlottesville area, and having served in the Mississippi legislature from 1983 to 1990, he knows the "Southern system" and the need to stop corruption, Perriello said.

For Grisham, it's the candidate's mission and message that garnered his support.

"He'll never embarrass the district," Grisham said of Perriello. "He's a great guy. He's got his heart in the right place."

Grisham is no stranger to Virginia politics. He has used his name -- and his wallet -- to support other Virginia Democrats, including Gov. Tim Kaine and U.S. Sen. Jim Webb.

The author also supported Sen. Hillary Clinton in her run for president.

"I politic every now and then," Grisham said.

While Grisham signed books, hugged readers and posed for pictures, Perriello circulated through the waiting fans to make his spiel.

"This is my priority now and when I become a congressman," Perriello said of the southern portion of the district. The 5th District encompasses the Charlottesville area down to Southside, and includes Franklin, Bedford, Campbell and Pittsylvania counties and part of Henry County.

"I will continue to shine a light on the struggle but also the opportunities" for jobs and the economy, he said.

Martinsville resident Nell Lovell made her way to the cafe and stood in line for one reason only: to see one of her favorite authors and get him to sign her copy of "The Innocent Man."

Though she was approached by many campaign workers with "Perriello for Congress" stickers, the Goode supporter was able to make it out without one.

"He'll always have my vote," Lovell said of Goode. "I've been with him from Day One and will be until the end."

Demita Fitzgerald of Bassett said she considers herself a "reading voter" and was there to meet both men.

She met Perriello last week at an event in South Boston and came to get more information.

After the book signing, Perriello and Grisham made other stops in Martinsville -- including a meeting with teachers and the Martinsville superintendent of schools, and a barbecue fundraiser in Axton where more than 100 guests were expected.