Arkansas Black won the 2026 Western Writers of America Spur Award for Best Historical Novel. The Spur Awards, given annually since 1953, recognize excellence in writing about the American West.... Continue Reading →
Spur Award
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Feathered Quill Book Award
I'm thrilled that my novel, Arkansas Black, was selected as a Finalist in the esteemed 2026 Feathered Quill Book Awards. I didn't make the top three, but 4th place in... Continue Reading →
Homegrown: A Storied Exchange
I'm excited to participate in Homegrown: A Storied Exchange, taking place from January 29th to February 1st, 2026, on the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast. I'll be joining a panel of... Continue Reading →
Black Friday Sale
40% Off Hardcover Thanksgiving is over and now it the time to get serious about holiday giving. Let me help you out by discounting the Arkansas Black hardcover by 40%.... Continue Reading →
BookLife Critic’s Report
Arkansas Black is in good company at the top of the BookLife Prize rankings with an overall professional critic's score of 9.25 out of 10. Check out the 2025 Critic's... Continue Reading →
Across the Pond
Jo, a "bibliophilic blogger" from the United Kingdom, recently published a flattering review of Arkansas Black on her blog, Jaffareadstoo. Here is an excerpt: "Poignant and descriptive, Arkansas Black brings to... Continue Reading →
On Location
Arkansas Black takes place in Benton County, Arkansas, over four months in the 1920s. This was a decade of "rags-to-riches-and-back-to-rags." for many local farmers. At the same time, there was... Continue Reading →
John Braithwaite Home
John Braithwaite (1811-1890) was born in England and by 1840, settled in Northwest Arkansas. Sometime about 1870, he "discovered" a sweet, crisp, and firm apple in his yard which kept... Continue Reading →
Flashback—William Faulkner Literary Competition Winner
Arkansas Black will be released two years after winning this prestigious award—time to republish this post from October 2023. Last month, I was honored to receive First Place in the... Continue Reading →
Book Launch
It’s Official! Arkansas Black will launch at the Northwest Arkansas Book Fest, Saturday, September 27th, 2025, at the Ledger Building in downtown Bentonville. What a fitting location, 98 years after... Continue Reading →