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 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 photos of founder John Cussons and his magnificent 1880s hotel, Forest Lodge; pioneering Black educator Virginia Randolph and her students; and more. Thanks to all who contributed information and pictures.
Awards
National Endowment for the Arts
Tennessee Arts Commission
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, 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, The Quick-Change Artist: Stories
Teaching
Converse Low-Residency MFA
Writers in the Schools, a program of The Hudson Review
University of Memphis, Professor Emeritus; directed MFA program
University of Memphis, First Tennessee Professor
University of Memphis, First Tennessee Professor
Woodberry Forest School, Visiting Writer
Pennsylvania State University, Fisher Family Writer-in-Residence
Pennsylvania State University, Fisher Family Writer-in-Residence
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