Bluebird, Rapidan VA
Courtesy of Jan Langholz
Courtesy of Jan Langholz
I feel lucky to live in beautiful Rapidan, Va., a historic river-and-railroad village. Rapidan is the setting for my novel-in-stories, Horse People (Louisiana State University Press). Much of my work, such as "Merry-Go-Sorry," about the West Memphis Three, and "Brides in the Sky," about a family on the Oregon Trail, is inspired by true-life events. Sample stories appear on the Works page.
Fiction is my main focus, but I was delighted when Arcadia Publishing asked me to write a nonfiction pictorial history of Glen Allen, Va., where I spent my childhood. Images of America: Glen Allen includes vintage photos of founder John Cussons and his magnificent 1880s hotel, Forest Lodge; pioneering Black educator Virginia Randolph and her students; the story of Jack Bourne Park; and more. Many thanks to all who contributed information and photographs.
Awards
National Endowment for the Arts
Tennessee Arts Commission
Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
O. Henry Prize for "Merry-Go-Sorry," inspired by the West Memphis 3 ; first published in Alaska Quarterly Review
Virginia Literary Awards, finalist for The Quick-Change Artist: Stories
Teaching
O. Henry Prize for "Merry-Go-Sorry," inspired by the West Memphis 3 ; first published in Alaska Quarterly Review
Virginia Literary Awards, finalist for The Quick-Change Artist: Stories
Teaching
Woodberry Forest School, Visiting Writer
University of Memphis, Professor Emeritus; directed MFA program
University of Memphis, First Tennessee Professor
Pennsylvania State University, Fisher Family Writer-in-Residence
University of Memphis, First Tennessee Professor
Pennsylvania State University, Fisher Family Writer-in-Residence
Converse Low-Residency MFA
Wichita State University, Distinguished Visiting Writer
Miami University of Ohio, Visiting Writer
Fairmont State University, Artist in Residence
Miami University of Ohio, Visiting Writer
Fairmont State University, Artist in Residence
La Salle University, Writer in Residence