A literary podcast featuring writers from the Caroilnas. Listen to them discuss their journeys, their successes, failures, and lessons learned.
Robert Monath is a copyright attorney and is very well versed in intellectual property. He practices in Washington, NC.
Michelle Garren Flye is the author of various works of poetry. She publishes a literary journal, produces plays and owns Next Chapter Books in New Bern. I know you will enjoy getting to know her better.
C. Hope Clark is the author of The Carolina Slade Mysteries, The Edisto Island Mysteries, and The Craven County Mysteries. She’s editor of FundsforWriters, one of the Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers and published in The Writer Magazine, Writer’s Digest, Guide to Literary Agents, Writer’s Market, and other trade and online publications
Mandy Monath is a writer of children’s books, poetry, essays, short stories, and plays. A native of North Carolina, Mandy has always loved good writing of every kind and prizes precise and clear language, vivid imagery and lively dialogue.
Her recent children’s book draws inspiration from her teaching experience both in schools and at home. How Counting Came to Be (2024), tells a funny and inspiring story of a cave girl who goes on a quest to provide for her large family and, through ingenuity and collaboration, invents the concept of number.
Mandy has always written poetry and credits the North Carolina Poetry-in-the-Schools program for inspiring her and first publishing her work. Her collection of lyric poems, This Is Like That: Poems and Process (2022), was inspired by conversations with pastel artist, Barbara Garwood, about the similarities between painting and poetry. The collection combines lyric poetry with reflections on the creative process while inviting the reader to pause and participate in that process. Her poem, Geese, from this collection, was chosen as a finalist in the North Carolina Poetry Contest (NCSU), and her poem, Moon, has been chosen for the 2024 Poetry in Plain Sight sponsored by the North Carolina Poetry Society.
She has also published pieces in various newspapers, including Christian Science Monitor and The Wall Street Journal. Two comic plays, Finders, Keepers and Manifestations of Idiosyncracy in the Actualization of the Potential Work, written with co-author Karin Gleiter, have been staged at the Raleigh (NC) Little Theater and the Carrboro (NC) Arts Center. Her short story Home won the Haunted Pamlico Horror Fiction Contest in 2021.
Mandy earned a B.A. from Salem College in Classics and English, and an M.A. in Comparative Literature from UNC-Chapel Hill, where she was a fiction reader for The Carolina Quarterly. She is a member of the North Carolina Poetry Society, North Carolina Writers’ Network, the Alliance of Independent Authors, and Pamlico Writers' Group.
Mandy will be a featured reader for the North Carolina Poetry Society monthly poetry reading at McIntyre’s Books at Fearrington Village in August 2024.
For the Pamlico Writers’ Group, Mandy coordinates programming for weekly offerings in Washington, NC, including critique sessions, Spoken Word Open Mics, prompt writing sessions, and author panels. She also teaches workshops for the Creative Writing Club at Washington High School and loves encouraging other writers of all ages.
Mandy loves to visit bookstores for book signings, readings, discussions, and prompt writing sessions. She also loves reading books to children and teaching them how to write poetry.
Mandy divides her time between Washington and Raleigh. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading and talking about books, walking on the Centennial Campus and along Washington Harbor, gardening anywhere, and going out to hear her husband and friends perform live music.
Donna Campbell Smith is not only an Author, Artist, Photographer, but one of the founding members of Carolina Piedmont Writers Guild. Her new book of poetry is the first poetry book that she has ever published. She has written poetry for many years, so I know you will love this collection as much as I do. Missus Henry's Muse is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and wherever good books are sold.
Molly Clark is an illustrator for children's books. I thought you would enjoy getting to know that side of the business.
A published poet, Masters in Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing (Poetry) with an Indigenous Literature focus, an Honors Graduate from Oklahoma City University (OKCU), and obtained my Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in American Indian Studies. I serve as a selected liasion by the NC Poet Laureate, Jaki Shelton Green, for North Carolina Native American communities.
As a Native American poet and writer for more than thirty years, it is with heartfelt dedication to my cultural Native American heritage that I share my writings through artistic avenues, facilitating poetry readings and creative writing/poetry workshops in public school and university settings
Longtime North Carolina political leader Leo Daughtry grew up among the tobacco fields of Sampson County, and those experiences are the inspiration behind his debut novel releasing this summer.
While fiction, the book draws from Leo's own upbringing amidst the lush tobacco fields of North Carolina, paying homage to the enduring spirit of the American South while delving into the complexities of its past. This story transports us to the 1950s, when the South stood at the crossroads of tradition and change. 2024 marks 60 years since the Surgeon General published its landmark report about the dangers of smoking tobacco. It’s also worth mentioning that Leo was a member of the NC House and Senate for 28 years, including serving as House Majority Leader and House Minority Leader, so he’s well known around the state.
"Talmadge Farm" follows the intertwined destinies of three unforgettable families as they navigate the tumultuous currents of societal evolution. From the opulent world of wealthy landowner Gordon Talmadge to the humble aspirations of his sharecroppers, each character grapples with the shifting landscapes of privilege, racial injustice, and personal autonomy.
Angelo Getter is an accomplished poet and Poet Laureate of Rock Hill, SC. He is also a judge for the annual Kakalak contest. The contest ends May 31, 2024 so be sure and get your entries in. I think you will enjoy getting to know Angelo.
Do you ever want to wail like a baby? One giant gasp of air followed by a wail so powerful you collapse to your knees doubled over in agony. Your face turns a dark purplish-blue, while your mouth opens as wide as the chasm you feel in your soul. Like a powerful compactor, your entire body contracts and squeezes out every last ounce of air stored inside your lungs. Right before you nearly pass out, when you have expressed the last ounce of breath inside you… The inhale!
You have spent a lifetime stuffing your emotions, wrapping them up in blankets, concealing them in the deepest, darkest recesses of your heart. Once you placed them right where you wanted them, you boarded up and plastered over the walls so no one could see the carcasses of pain hidden deep within. The irony? The life you are currently living is a direct reflection of that buried pain. All the times you’ve felt unappreciated, unworthy, lonely, or not enough, it’s all a reflection of your pain.
It’s time to break free from the cage of pain that has enslaved you for far too long so you can soar on the wings of peace. In the first book of the Pain to Peace series, Dr. Miller-Jentes illustrates her journey and the life principles, thought-provoking questions, and activities that helped her process her pain and journey toward peace.
Dr. Mindi Miller-Jentes is a board-certified chiropractic physician in North Carolina, author, watercolorist, and speaker. She helps audiences nationwide to understand the importance of overcoming negative self-talk and destructive emotions. Dr. Miller-Jentes is a national and international resource on the body-mind-spirit connection and the role this connection plays in physical and emotional health. She shares information about supporting a healthy lifestyle at www.BrioWellness.com. Dr. Miller-Jentes is the CEO and co-owner of Brio Wellness Center - a holistic, family-operated chiropractic clinic in North Carolina where she lives with her husband. Her mission is to help everyone to live the life they desire and deserve.
Cushing Publishing is excited to announce that have published The Applegate Mystery Series Book #1for Sherri L. Hollister! How to Sabotage a Wild West Sowavailable now!
Sherri is an only child, married to her romantic hero for over 30 years, raised six sons, has 23 grandchildren, and published 12 books. She has been writing since she was ten years old. She is the chairperson for the Pamlico Writers’ Group . A member of RWA (Romance Writers of America) and VP of Communications with Heart of Carolina chapter. She is also a member of the Kiss of Death RWA chapter and an ambassador for AlLi (Alliance of Independent Authors). Sherri also has many books published and for more information please go to www.SherriLHollister.com
Cushing Publishing is excited to announce that author Derek Smith’s new book Golf Widows will be available on January 30, 2024!
Golf Widows is a sexy, humorous odyssey for those who savor the guilty pleasures of high-society intrigue, lust, and hot-blooded mystiqueat fictional Atlanta and Savannah country clubs.
Much of the story is set in the ritzy circles of Atlanta’s Pine Meadows Country Club. Golf is a mistress worshiped by many of the club’s high rollers. Spare time equates to tee time for these affluent pretty boys. Their “golf widows” are another story entirely.
Pine Meadows bartender Cass Cassidy unsuccessfully tried to seduce his first golf widow as a teenager while working at a Savannah country club. In the decade since, he has perfected his techniques, no matter the age, shape, background, or bra size of the women he seeks. Over mimosas and cosmopolitans, they chatter about their Louis Vuitton purses, designer jewelry, and who among them has had work done, all the banter masking their boredom. Cass has the looks and the bold confidence to make them forget their boredom - and their husbands.
Smith is a native of Bishopville, SC, and agraduate of Georgia Southern University. He hasworked as a reporter, freelance writer and in public relations. Prior to Golf Widows he has had ten books published, most of them on nonfiction Civil War topics.
His book on Camden, SC, during the Revolutionary War will be released later this year. His most recent work, Bloody Savannah, is a true crime memoir of his time as a police reporter in Savannah, GA.
Golf Widows will be available on January 30, 2024, on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com,and wherever good books are sold.
Thomas Kies is the author of the critically acclaimed Geneva Chase mystery series. In 2022, he was Edgar nominated by the Mystery Writers of America for the Sue Grafton Memorial Award for his book Shadow Hill. He has a long history of working for newspapers and magazines, primarily in New England and New York and currently lives and writes on Bogue Banks, a barrier island on the coast of North Carolina where he lives with his wife Cindy and their shi-tzu Annie.
Meet Tracy McKinley, author of Orville Finds Friends. A beautiful children;s book about being different.
A former tank commander, journalist, and crisis communication professional, William Charles Furney has tapped into a lifetime of experiences and adventures to craft riveting novels such as Black Hearts White Bones (a love, hate, revenge story about two real pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read), Aphrodite’s Whisper(an epic love story that takes place between 1903 and 1918 in the vein of Legends of the Fall and Cold Mountain), and his latest…Ivy Moon Last Girl on Earth (a unique post-apocalyptic tale of a teen girl and her dog).
Mark Twain said, “Write what you know.” Fortunately for me as a writer, I’ve had a hell of a life.
Charles M. Clemmons was born at home in the countryside near Clayton, North Carolina, on what is now a state forest. Growing up in the American South, working on his father's farm, and exploring 300 acres of forest accompanied solely by his faithful dog Snowball, proved to be formative life experiences.
He received an engineering degree from NC State University in 1966; an MBA from the University of Connecticut in 1976; and an AAS degree in Film & Video Technology from North Lake College in Irving, Texas, in 1994. In his 27-year career in the corporate world, he traveled extensively and resided in North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Connecticut, and Texas.
Retiring from a corporate career in telecommunications in 1994 at age 50, he refocused on his real passions: documentary filmmaking, photography, writing, being a father to his three children, and discovering the history and lifeways of his parents’ families in Brunswick County, North Carolina.
In 2004, he was awarded two Boston/New England Emmys® (writing and production) for the American Public Television documentary, Mystic Voices: The Story of the Pequot War. After 40 years in Connecticut, Charles returned to his roots in North Carolina in 2016.
His inspiration for Aila’s Journal came from his own experiences and aspirations growing up in the American South, his own family's history, and his historical research of the Civil War and Southern Reconstruction.
https://charles-m-clemmons.com
Before turning to writing for children, Carol Baldwin published Friendship Counseling: Biblical Foundations for Helping Others and Teaching the Story: Fiction Writing in Grades 4-8. Carol enjoys teaching writing and has presented at many educators and writing conferences. She has published widely in newspapers and magazines and along with Rebecca Wheeler, co-publishes Talking Story, a newsletter for educators and media specialists. She served as a SCBWI-Carolinas critique group leader and blog coordinator for many years. In addition, she manages the Write2Ignite blog; a group dedicated to inspiring and educating Christian kid lit writers. Most recently, she became a volunteer publicist for Monarch Books. Find her thoughts on the writing process, book reviews, and giveaways on her blog. When she isn’t writing or blogging, you’ll find her golfing, walking, biking, or enjoying books with one of her eight grandchildren.
Half Truths a middle-grade historical novel that takes place in Charlotte, NC in 1950 is scheduled for publication in June 2025 with Monarch Educational Services. She is working on a graphic novel, Nightmare in Nuremberg and dreaming about two other historical novels.
Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, an enrolled citizen of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and resides in Qualla, NC with her husband, Evan and sons Ross and Charlie. She holds degrees from Yale University and the College of William and Mary. Her debut novel, Even As We Breathe, was released by the University Press of Kentucky in 2020, a finalist for the Weatherford Award and named one of NPR’s Best Books of 2020. In 2021, it received the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award. Her first novel manuscript, Going to Water is winner of the Morning Star Award for Creative Writing from the Native American Literature Symposium (2012) and a finalist for the PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction (2014). Clapsaddle’s work has appeared in Yes! Magazine, Lit Hub, Smoky Mountain Living Magazine, South Writ Large, Our State Magazine, and The Atlantic. After serving as executive director of the Cherokee Preservation Foundation, Annette returned to teaching at Swain County High School for over a dozen years. She is the former co-editor of the Journal of Cherokee Studies and serves on the Board of Directors for the Museum of the Cherokee Indian and is the President of the Board of Trustees for the North Carolina Writers Network. Clapsaddle established Bird Words, LLC in 2022 and works as an independent contractor and consultant. In 2023, in partnership with Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Clapsaddle launched Confluence: An Indigenous Writers’ Workshop Series that seeks to bring indigenous writers to the Qualla Boundary (Cherokee, NC) to work with aspiring writers several times throughout the year.
Debra Lewis is a retired CPA and lives in Tarboro, North Carolina She wrote a wonderful book about being an entrepreneur. I know you will enjoy it.
Dr. Jen Lowry is North Carolina born and raised, still holding on to that country slang that is unique to the small town of Maxton she loves so much in Robeson County. She's the owner of Monarch Educational Services, a traditional press publishing MG and YA clean reads. She is an avid enthusiast of all things horror, and UFC, and binge-watches old episodes of Quantum Leap. She finds herself comfier in a pair of pajamas and would make all public appearances in them if she could get away with it. When she isn’t literacy coaching, life coaching, or homeschooling her two fabulous boys, she can be found napping or singing loudly, probably napping. Check out Jen’s official author sites all over the net from podcasts, YouTube, Instagram, and more by searching up Jen Lowry Writes or following her on @jenlowrywrites. Contact Jen for special author appearances and teaching opportunities or stay up to date with her journey at www.jenlowrywrites.com. For publishing inquiries, please visit monarcheducationalservices.com
Alison Hendrix is an author of childrens books.. Multiple titles are available on Amazon. Her latest work The Talking Tree is a huge success! I know you will enjoy getting to know this very sweet mom and author!
Donna Everhart is the USA Today bestselling author of vivid, authentic Southern fiction, including the Southeastern Library Association Award-winning The Road to Bittersweet, the Indie Next Pick, Amazon Spotlight/Debut Pick, The Education of Dixie Dupree, The Forgiving Kind, and The Moonshiner’s Daughter. Her fifth novel, The Saints of Swallow Hill is out now.
Born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, she now lives with her husband just an hour away in the Sandhills area of the state. Please visit her online at DonnaEverhart.com.
Michelle Berger is the past President of the North Carolina Writers Network.. Michele Tracy Berger is a professor, a blogger, a creativity expert and a pug-lover. She’s passionate about all of these ways of being in the world and plays with the order that she avidly pursues them. She is associate professor in the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and has several academic books on subjects that range from HIV/AIDS activism to the value of a women’s and gender studies education. Her creative writing has appeared in The Chapel Hill News, Glint, Carolina Woman, Trivia: Voices of Feminism, Ms., The Feminist Wire, various zines, and Western North Carolina Woman. In 2013 she became a “My View” monthly columnist for The Chapel Hill News and is at work on short story collection of speculative fiction. She also has a coaching practice called The Creative Tickle® and is on a mission to tickle your genius awake. Come visit her: https://creativetickle.com/. Studio Hour Leader
If you like Charleston and southern cooking do not miss this wonderful curation A Taste of Living in Charleston. It is filled with things that will trigger all your senses and make you want to cook, eat, cook and eat some more.
Follow this exciting serial killer case as Kimothy Munroe, retired law enforcement officer takes us on a journey of murder, clues and sorrow. This true crime thriller is bound to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Sarah Swan is an author from New Bern, NC. In her books. Sarah's novels, "Terror's Identity," "Emily's Ride to Courage," and "Earthquakes" are available through http://sarahmauryswanlovesbook.com , Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/s?k=sarah+maury+swan&i=stripbooks&crid=2Q70NOV0EG9J1&sprefix=Sarah+Mau%2Cstripbooks%2C102&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_9
She is now working on another YA novel titled BAD HAIR DAY, a chapter book titled SPACE JUNK, and a novel for grown-ups titled SERENDIPITY'S CONUNDRUM. She has successfully submitted short stories to NEXT CHAPTER LITERARY MAGAZINE. https://thenextchapternc.com/home/literary-magazine/ and her books are for sale at Next Chapter Books and Art, 320 S. Front Street, New Bern, NC 28560; https://www.facebook.com/TheNextChapterBooksNB/
Please keep in touch through Twitter #SarahtheWrite, Instagram #SarahtheWrite, Facebook SarahMaurySwan, and http://sarahmauryswanlovesbooks.com
Lisa Gennossa's first book Incurable Hope takes a look at addiction from a parents point of view. Open, warm and honest I think you will enjoy getting to know her and how she dealt with this problem.
What happens when the life you’ve always dreamed of disappears in the blink of an eye? For Inez Ribustello, that day came twenty years ago on September 11th, 2001.
Inez worked very hard and climbed the ladder in the restaurant world. Her dream job was working at the Twin Towers in a restaurant called Windows. 9/11 destroyed that dream and her book deals with life in the aftermath of 9/11.
L. Diane Wolfe, Author has a new book! Known as “Spunk On A Stick,” Wolfe is a member of the National Speakers Association. She conducts seminars on book publishing, promoting, leadership, and goal-setting and is the author of seven books. She travels extensively for media interviews and speaking engagements maintains numerous websites & blogs and manages several businesses.
Kay Whatley is an Author, Publisher and Editor of The Grey Area News and member of the Franklin County Arts Council! Listen in to find out what publishing a newspaper and multiple books is like!
Oakley Baldwin is a retired deputy sheriff from West Virginia. He and his wife Doris have written and published more than 27 book! He hosts a pbs television show and does public speaking! He will be teaching at the Triangle East Writers workshop on Feb. 25. I know you will enjoy getting to know him!
Chad Hollamon has a new book out Cries for Carteret. In this book, Chad tells us about his life experience. Chad at one time was a drug dealer. He was arrested and sentenced to 40 years in Federal Prison. During his time in prison, Chad found change, a new opportunity in life, and after 18 years of serving hard time was released. Since turning his life around Chad has become a recognized author and public speaker. He formed a Non-Profit Cape Fear Federal Prison Coaching to help people convicted of a crime and going to jail a place to ask questions and receive help during a very difficult time in their lives. He also serves family members who have loved ones or friends incarcerated to answer their questions and help them understand the system and how to deal with what's happening. This book has over 50 five-star reviews and honestly, I couldn't put it down. I think you will be glad to learn more about Chad's experiences, his work, and his book!
Meet Dr. Julia Dorfman Fisher. University professor, Professional Editor, Author, World Traveler and Adventurer. Julia has spent her life in academic world teaching, and molding our young adults and helping them prepare for their careers. She is also a professional editor. She has studied all types of communication and reasoning. I think you will find her very interesting and a potential resource for your writing career.
Meet Stuart Lee. Stuart has done everything in the field of technical writing! His accomplishments include speeches for Barack Obama, Colin Powell, hundreds of bills and political documents as well as technical reports for various federal agencies. I think you will enjoy getting to know more about him!
Diane Wolfe owns Dancing Lemur Press and publishes a variety of genres. Diane also is a featured speaker at many literary events across the country. I know you will enjoy her insightful tips!
Lori is an amazing Christian writer from the Hubert, NC area whose recent book Topping the Willow is a beautiful story to share with your teens and families! I think you will enjoy learning her story and how it came about.
Author, filmmaker, Long Rider. A Long Rider is anyone who’s ridden a horse or mule over 1,000 miles in a continuous voyage. RiverEarth.com features the places he has traveled to and the people he meets on the way.. Imagine what you could do with a mule or a tent or a stack of plywood or a $12 bicycle and you’ll get an idea of the sort of voyage that speaks to Bernie.
Bernie has written several books and in today's episode, we discuss his 2023 project, a book detailing one of his excursions. I know you will enjoy knowing more about his adventures, writing and experiences.
Jackie Dove Miller is a member of the Franklin County Arts Council and successful author. She is a retired teacher and does classes on poetry writing. She is a member of the Franklin County Six Pack, a group of authors that do book signings and tours. I think you will enjoy getting to know Jackie, I have.
We had an opportunity to sit down with Spook Joyner, owner/producer Live at the Rudy in Selma, NC! Spook has been writing, producing and performing in this theater for 25 years!!! He has also had a great career as a musician and songwriter. I think you will enjoy listening to insights and wisdom in this particular field.
Dr. Wanda as we all call her, is very passionate about her beliefs and her call to help people.
She worked at Johnston Community College as an Educator. She is an Entrepreneur, Motivational Speaker, Author of 2 books, "God's Voice" and Come and Dine and more! I know you will enjoy getting to know her.
Natalie Banks is a Best Selling and Award-Winning author and a previous recipient of The North Carolina Governor's Writing Award. She weaves characters with relatable humanity and stories that touch the heart and soul. She has quickly become a favorite among readers. When not writing, she spends time on the beach in North Carolina with her husband and children.
Ruby Woodland is an amazing young author who has just finished her first book! Rubie Woodland lives in the Southeast USA with her partner, children, and too many pets. She is a neuro-diverse artist, book hoarder, and collector of words. She believes in writing real, gritty, and without fear, even if it's uncomfortable or hard to stomach. The book is about a world who has lost control and become dysfunctional and her unique characters find that even through darkness there is light. A Reader's Choice Favorite.
Robert M. Price (Selma, NC), professor of scriptural studies at the Johnnie Colemon Theological Seminary, is the editor (with Jeffery Jay Lowder) of The Empty Tomb: Jesus Beyond the Grave and the Journal of Higher Criticism. He is also the author of Top Secret: The Truth Behind Today’s Pop Mysticisms; The Paperback Apocalypse: How the Christian Church Was Left Behind; The Reason-Driven Life: What Am I Here on Earth For? and many other works. I think you will enjoy learning more about Bob!
Kim Beal has written multiple books exploring other worlds. She is an accomplished and respected author. She is also a member of the Franklin County Writers Guild. I think you will enjoy getting to know Kim a little better.
Dot LaMotta is a children's book author and board member of the Triangle East Writers located in Johnston County, NC. She has had an amazing career and her experience is a treasure. I know you will enjoy getting to know Dot!
Hope is an inspirational romance writer from Johnston County, NC. She has four books out. Irish Encounter, Forever Music, Rescued Hearts, and Mars with Venus Rising. She also published a novella Candy Cane Wishes and Salt Water Dreams. She is an inspiration and I think you will enjoy getting to know more about this wonderful woman! Books are available on Amazon.com and www.hopetolerdougherty.com
Donna Campbell Smith has been an active mentor to the writing community for many years. She helped develop and grow the Franklin County Arts Council Writers Group, Second Cup Writers, and more. With more than ten books under her belt she has a ton of experience to share. I think you will enjoy hearing her story.
Cindy Brookshire is an accomplished writer and community leader. In this episode, she talks about the value of a writer's group and how to start one. I know you will enjoy listening!
Leslie Waugh is an amazing woman. She is a freelance writer/editor for the Washington Post, The News and Observer, and more! She publishes a wonderful newsletter Write From the Heart filled with inspiration, beautiful photos, and a writing prompt. Leslie is based out of Clayton, NC ad I know you will find her fascinating, warm and delightful. Her newsletter is a must-subscribe!
Amy Skinner is the author of two books, published traditionally with Cayuse Communications. Her first book is To Catch a Horse, and her second book is The Middle of the Road. Both offer a delightful look into the world of a horse trainer and their journey to teach the horse while the horse also teaches them. Books available at https://amyskinnerhorsemanship.com/shop/ Amy has been a speaker at the renowned Best Horse Practices Summit and speaks nationwide to horsemen and horsewomen.