How many years have you lived in the Golden Isles: My family moved here in 1971 when I was three. After graduating from Glynn Academy in 1986, I lived in Athens and Atlanta for many years, but I’d still visit regularly during the summers and for special events. I moved back to the Golden Isles full-time in 2010.
Where did you attend school? I attended Burroughs-Molette Elementary, St. Simons Elementary, Glynn Middle School, Glynn Academy, and I graduated from the University of Georgia.
What is your job history? I earned my first writing check when I was 17; I’ve had other non-writing jobs. I worked on the maintenance crew at the Sea Palms golf course during my high school summers. After getting my degree, I wasn’t sold on the straight-up newspaper beat and did a lot of freelance work as well as serving in editorial positions. Like all writers, one must make sacrifices and explore simultaneous revenue streams during their careers especially with a family. I’ve sold lawn care, been a substitute teacher, worked remotely, but all the while I worked in the journalism and literary trade.
What is your favorite landmark in the Golden Isles? Tough question. There are so many places I gravitate towards like the Pier, the lighthouse, the beach, especially Gould’s Inlet, Gascoigne Bluff and Cannon’s Point. There’s beauty in every direction. I also enjoy the layout at Village Creek Landing, a new landmark for the island.
What is your perfect Saturday in the Golden Isles? Since we are talking a “perfect” Saturday, let’s assume a sunny, breezy fall day in the mid-70s. My girlfriend Elizabeth and I head over to one of our favorite breakfast spots in Pier Village (probably Sandcastle, Palmer’s or Mallery St. Café) where there is no wait for a table. Fueled by multiple cups of coffee, we walk off breakfast on the Pier and meander through the arts and crafts fair. Depending on the tide, we put in the kayaks at the East Beach Causeway for a paddle through the marsh, but not for too long if UGA kick-off is at 3:30. After another Dawgs victory, we watch the sunset at Gould’s Inlet before heading out for dinner at Catch 228, Dorothy’s or the Wolf Island Oyster Co.
Tell us a bit about your career path: Back in the 1990s I began publishing articles in various magazines, which led to an editorial role and eventually to access to write about and interview some of America’s greatest artists, which can be found in my books Insured Beyond The Grave Vol. 1 & 2. I crossed paths with a lot of musicians, writers, filmmakers and photographers, and I continually raised the bar for my writing. Meanwhile, I cultivated my fiction writing. Eventually, I was able to publish over 800 articles as well as five books – two fiction, two non-fiction and my new one, Ghostland America, a collection of 100 color photographs and short narratives collected during my travels over the backroads of the South. I have two new books in the works now …
Tell us a bit about your involvement within the local community: I always try to keep the animal shelter close to heart. The Firebox Initiative is another favorite cause. I support the St. Simons and Brunswick libraries. I’m a fan of the Literary Guild of St. Simons, the Glynn Visual Arts Center as well as Golden Isles Arts and Humanities.
Who is a local you admire? There are so many locals I’ve admired through the years: Frankie and Doug Quimby of the Georgia Sea Island Singers, Griffin Bufkin, the Gowen family, the McGarvey family, the Mayo family, Nancy Thomason-Chakovan, Barrette Walker, Adam Wainwright, Davis Love and I know I’m leaving somebody out. There are so many locals I admire just on an everyday basis when I’m out and about and see them.
