A bookish, festive sort of weekend coming up!

STREETS OF NASHVILLE is still out there, y'all, and still as good (I think) as the day it was published, 15 April 2025. Check out this great review that just appeared in APPALACHIAN JOURNAL 53.4 (Summer 2026). Special thanks to editor Jessica Cory and, particularly, reviewer Julia Franks!

This Friday the 17th, we'll be hanging out for a couple of hours (4:30 - 6:30) at Penland & Sons Department Store in Marshall, North Carolina. Georgette has copies of AVALON MOON and so much more in the store. Drop by and say hey if you're in town!

If you don't have it, I hope you'll get it. If you get it, I hope you'll read it. If you read it, I hope you enjoy the time you spend in Runion, where something strange is afoot beneath the Avalon Moon!

In addition to being Juneteenth, today is the one-month anniversary of AVALON MOON's publication date (5/19). Two traditional gifts are suggested for one-month-old books: 1) if you haven't gotten it, get; 2) if you've read it, post a rating and/or review on Goodreads and/or Amazon. THANKS!!!

Thanks to Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe for the in-store opportunity to talk about AVALON MOON. Thanks to Andrew K Clark for the terrific questions and comments. Pleased to see Christy Alexander Hallberg there! Afterwards, Leesa and I followed with supper at Botiwalla!

This evening (Tuesday) at 6:00, I'll be at Malaprop's in Asheville with my friend Andrew K. Clark, author of the forthcoming HOLLOW FOLK! Then, on Saturday the 13th, I'll be at Maple Tree Bookshop in Gate City, Virginia, noon until 2:00.

As the release of AVALON MOON approaches, STREETS OF NASHVILLE garners another recognition as FINALIST for the Eric Hoffer Book Award!

Just a fun little update about my "psychological horror" (that I didn't know I was writing 😮): "#55 in Psychological Horror" on Amazon! And still in preorder until its release on 19 May.

AVALON MOON is available for preorder from Madville Publishing, Bookshop.org, and your favorite independent bookstore. And I have copies! If you would like one signed without leaving your home, message me.

Thanks to American Book Fest for naming my 2017 novel GABRIEL'S SONGBOOK a Finalist in the General Fiction category of the 2026 American Legacy Book Awards! So gratifying! (GABRIEL'S SONGBOOK is available in paperback and audiobook.) 📘❤️

Goodreads: "A great collection of stories set in a small Appalachian town in North Carolina. Characters are vividly written and, as a reader, we get to know them deeply. And the vibe of the town itself is its own character. The interconnection of the people that pop up across the many tales."

If you find yourself in the vicinity of University of Southern Mississippi - GULF PARK CAMPUS, this Friday - Sunday (1/30-2/1), check this out!

If you haven't alREADy, maybe give it a shot? It's officially award-winning!

Today, 19 January, is the 217th anniversary of the birth of Edgar Allan Poe.

If we’re allowed to dislike a form of weather, then I most dislike winter rain.

Setting aside, for a few moments, the recent devastation to the spirit that took place on this day in 2021, I'm celebrating Epiphany with my annual reading of James Joyce's beautiful and haunting short story "The Dead," often hailed as the greatest piece of short fiction written in English.

I'm thrilled to share some words from the great Ron Rash in support of my forthcoming novel AVALON MOON, which should be available for preorder soon. I'm also excited to say that Mr. Rash will be visiting us at ETSU in April, so keep an eye out for more info about that event.

Last book mail of 2025, first book mail of 2026.

Sincere thanks to Andrew K. Clark for these generous words about AVALON MOON. The same for his terrific review of STREETS OF NASHVILLE in the Fall 2025 issue of the NORTH CAROLINA LITERARY REVIEW.

I found this guitar waiting for me—sitting much like this in the living room in Walnut, NC—on Christmas morning 1975, fifty years ago when I was seventeen.

I'm thrilled that one of my favorite writers, Charles Dodd White, has generously provided these words of support for AVALON MOON, coming May 2026 from Madville Publishing. I'm on the lookout for Charles's next novel, THE WORLD ITSELF, to be published by Regal House Publishing in the summer of 2027.

Thanks, Gabino! My first crime novel also starts with a real event. . . . STREETS OF NASHVILLE has been named a 2025 finalist for best thriller by bestthrillers.com.

Earlier this year, I had a terrific time meeting Peter McDade at bookstores all over to promote STREETS OF NASHVILLE and his wonderful novel KING CAL. I'm grateful to him for these good words about AVALON MOON, the finalized text of which is almost . . . finalized.

Thanks to Whiskey Leavins for these generous words about AVALON MOON. Whiskey writes terrific--and terrifically humorous--crime fiction set in his fictional Santa Lacrimosa. LOW ANGLE SHOT, Whiskey's fourth Rock Cobbler Case is brand spankin' new. Check it out.

Cathy Rigg came to Johnson City to promote THAT WHICH BINDS US. Her novel features a man who writes a song while a soldier in the U.S. Civil War. I got to put music to the words Cathy wrote for the novel and, during her book event, performed the song with a banjo-playing friend.

I’m elated to announce that Streets of Nashville is a BestThrillers Book Awards finalist! I’m honored to be recognized among such a great list of authors.

Today Mark Powell came down to ETSU for a writer event and lunch with us, and I had the opportunity to thank him in person for these generous words about AVALON MOON, set for release 19 May 2026. I'll keep posting other good stuff (weekly-ish) about the novel as we approach pre-order season.

Here's a new review of STREETS OF NASHVILLE! Thanks to Andrew K. Clark (author of WHERE DARK THINGS RISE) and the good folks at NORTH CAROLINA LITERARY REVIEW!