Blog
My Recent Podcast Episode of Tenfold More Wicked Presents Wicked Words
I’m thrilled to share that I was recently featured on the popular podcast Tenfold More Wicked Presents Wicked Words to discuss my book Drifting Into Darkness.
Looking At the Origins of Modern True Crime Writing
Deliberate Cruelty: Truman Capote, the Millionaire's Wife, and the Murder of the Century Truman Capote’s groundbreaking, nonfiction classic, In Cold Blood—a gripping account of the 1959 slaughter of a wealthy Kansas farm family— instantly established the writer’s...
The Campaign for Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools
I take a short break from book news to share with you a recent article about Julius Rosenwald and efforts to turn his great project of small primary schools for rural African Americans across the South, into a National Historical Park.
My Latest Book Tour
Follow along on my latest book tour as I attend the annual Decatur Book Festival in Decatur, Georgia and return to Troy University for a speaking session.
A Return to Madison County
I went back to Madison County for the rededication of the Anderson Rosenwald School in the Long Ridge neighborhood, just outside Mars Hill.
On the True Crime Trail: Death Times Two with Jim Hood
As we’re working behind-the-scenes on some upcoming book promotion events, I thought this true crime book review of “The Poisonous Solicitor” by Stephen Bates might be of interest to you.
My Review of “The Poisonous Solicitor” by Stephen Bates
As we’re working behind-the-scenes on some upcoming book promotion events, I thought this true crime book review of “The Poisonous Solicitor” by Stephen Bates might be of interest to you.
Promoting “Drifting Into Darkness” in North Carolina: Back in the Tar Heel State
After a brief rest in Durham following our return from Alabama, I headed west to promote my latest book, Drifting Into Darkness, as well as the updated, paperback edition of Met Her on the Mountain.
My Alabama Book Tour for “Drifting Into Darkness”
To start, on June 9th, nearly 50 people showed up at NewSouth’s retail outlet, the Read Herring bookstore downtown, which is stuffed full of excellent new and used books.
The Writer as Sleuth
Here, I discuss that rarified category of true crime books that I call “The Writer as Sleuth.” That is, where the author feels compelled to actively engage with the story – to do rather than simply describe.
“To See Ourselves as Others See Us”: Appalachian Women and Fighting Back (Part 3)
In the second half of Movie-Made Appalachia: History, Hollywood, and the Highland South, author and University of Georgia professor John Inscoe pivots to the portrayal of Appalachian women on the big and small screen.
“To See Ourselves as Others See Us”: Race and Racism in the Southern Mountains (Part 2)
In Movie-Made Appalachia: History, Hollywood, and the Highland South, author John C. Inscoe writes that he was pleasantly surprised when he taught a course at the University of Georgia, showing and discussing a dozen films about Southern Appalachia.
“To See Ourselves as Others See Us”: The Southern Appalachians on the Screen (Part 1)
From Tobacco Road to Deliverance and, in this century, from District 12 in The Hunger Games to the lame screen version of J.D. Vance’s simplistic, self-serving Hillbilly Elegy, the people of the Southern Appalachians have often been ill-served by American popular culture, especially on screen.
Madison County Homecoming
I returned to Madison County for a week to promote the new, paperback edition of “Met Her on the Mountain: The Murder of Nancy Morgan.” Events included in-person readings, discussions, and signings as well as a Zoom event at Malaprop’s Bookstore & Cafe in Asheville.
Events & Appearances
Stay up-to-date on my upcoming events as I promote both Drifting into Darkness and Met Her on the Mountain.
The Impact of the Shelton Laurel Massacre in Madison County
Almost no one who writes about Madison County can avoid the Shelton Laurel Massacre. I include a section on it in Met Her on the Mountain.
My Thoughts on Recent Thriller “Devil House”
Today, I want to share my recent review of Devil House, a new thriller about a true crime author who takes on a real murder and tries to use his own investigative skills to solve it.
The Popular Appeal of True Crime
With the advent of cable television, streaming series, and radio podcasts, the genre of true crime has emerged as legitimate mass entertainment.
A Validating Source for My Research on “Drifting Into Darkness”
A curious aspect I’ve noticed over the years with nonfiction writing and broadcasting – newspapers, radio, magazines and books – is what information comes to you after publication or broadcast.
The Ponder Brothers
For more than three decades in the latter part of the 20th century, the Democratic political machine led by Zeno and E. Y. Ponder wrested control from Republicans and thereafter controlled pretty much everything in Madison County.