What is the name of the book and when was it published?
The book is titled South of Everything and it was published by She Writes Press September 15th, 2015.
What’s the book’s first line?
In West Tennessee God forgot his geography.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
Set in 1940s Germantown, Tennessee, South of Everything is a magical coming-of-age story about the daughter of a plantation-owning family, who, despite her privileged background, finds more in common with “the help” than her own family. She develops a special kinship with her parents’ servant Old Thomas, who introduces her to the mysterious Lolololo Tree—a magical, mystical tree with healing powers that she discovers is wiser than any teacher or parent or pries—and, in doing so, opens her eyes to the religious and racial prejudice of her surroundings.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
I had to write this book to pay tribute to the wonderful loving African-American people who not only took care of me but were the basis of my faith and belief in God and the afterlife. The characters are built on them.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
South of Everything is a universal coming-of-age tale about questioning the world around us and finding our own truth and I hope it will appeal to anyone who’s ever dreamed of stepping beyond the safe boundaries of the world they know.