Sharyn McCrumb

Come listen to Appalachian Writer of the Year award winner, Sharyn McCrumb as she talks about her latest novel, "The Ballad of Tom Dooley". Sharyn will be signing copies of her book after the talk. A literary triumph—what began as a fictional re-telling of the historical account of one of the most ... (meer)famous mountain ballads of all time became an astonishing revelation of the real culprit responsible for the murder of Laura Foster Hang down your head, Tom Dooley…The folk song, made famous by the Kingston Trio, recounts a tragedy in the North Carolina mountains after the Civil War. Laura Foster, a simple country girl, was murdered and her lover Tom Dula was hanged for the crime. The sensational elements in the case attracted national attention: a man and his beautiful, married lover accused of murdering the other-woman; the former governor of North Carolina spearheading the defense; and a noble gesture from the prisoner on the eve of his execution, saving the woman he really loved. With the help of historians, lawyers, and researchers, Sharyn McCrumb visited the actual sites, studied the legal evidence, and uncovered a missing piece of the story that will shock those who think they already know what happened—and may also bring belated justice to an innocent man. What seemed at first to be a sordid tale of adultery and betrayal was transformed by the new discoveries into an Appalachian Wuthering Heights. Tom Dula and Ann Melton had a profound romance spoiled by the machinations of their servant, Pauline Foster. Bringing to life the star-crossed lovers of this mountain tragedy, Sharyn McCrumb gifts understanding and compassion to her compelling tales of Appalachia, and solidifies her status as one of today's great Southern writers.

Award-winning author Sharyn McCrumb will read and sign copies of her new novel The Ballad of Tom Dooley, the latest in the Ballad Series, which delves into the true story behind the celebrated folk song about the murder of a country girl in the North Carolina mountains after the Civil War. With the help ... (meer)of historians, lawyers, and researchers, Sharyn McCrumb visited the actual sites, studied legal evidence, and uncovered a shocking missing piece of the story that may bring belated justice to an innocent man.

New York Times bestselling author Sharyn McCrumb will make an appearance at the Iredell County Public Library in Statesville on Friday, September 16 from noon until 2:00 pm. McCrumb will be talking about her most recent book, The Ballad of Tom Dooley.

Sharyn McCrumb's latest novel, Devil Amongst the Laywers, is the story of a pretty young schoolteacher charged with murder in 1930's Appalachia. The national press uses it as an excuse to sell newspapers - and to demonize the region, raising issues that go far beyond the fate of one defendant. McCrumb ... (meer)is an award-winning Appalachian writer, best known for her Appalachian "Ballad" novels, which weave together the legends, natural wonders and contemporary issues of Appalachia. Her novels include New York Times Best Sellers She Walks These Hills and The Rosewood Casket, which deal with the issue of the vanishing wilderness; The Ballad of Frankie Silver, the story of the first woman hanged for murder in the state of North Carolina; The Songcatcher, a genealogy in music; Ghost Riders, an account of the Civil War in the Appalachians; and St. Dale and Once Around the Track, a story of a group of ordinary people who go on a pilgrimage in honor of racing legend Dale Earnhardt, and find a miracle.

Sharyn McCrumb's latest novel, Devil Amongst the Laywers, is the story of a pretty young schoolteacher charged with murder in 1930's Appalachia. The national press uses it as an excuse to sell newspapers - and to demonize the region, raising issues that go far beyond the fate of one defendant. McCrumb ... (meer)is an award-winning Appalachian writer, best known for her Appalachian "Ballad" novels, which weave together the legends, natural wonders and contemporary issues of Appalachia. Her novels include New York Times Best Sellers She Walks These Hills and The Rosewood Casket, which deal with the issue of the vanishing wilderness; The Ballad of Frankie Silver, the story of the first woman hanged for murder in the state of North Carolina; The Songcatcher, a genealogy in music; Ghost Riders, an account of the Civil War in the Appalachians; and St. Dale and Once Around the Track, a story of a group of ordinary people who go on a pilgrimage in honor of racing legend Dale Earnhardt, and find a miracle. McCrumb's lecture follows a short Friends of the Library business meeting where the results of the executive board elections will be announced.

Lovers of southern literature, take note. Sharyn McCrumb visits on Wednesday, July 7, at 7:30 p.m., with her new THE DEVIL AMONGST THE LAWYERS. This is a return to her ballad series, inspired by the real-life 1935 murder trial of a young woman in Wise County, Virginia.

Award-winning author Sharyn McCrumb will read from and sign copies of her new book, The Devil Amongst the Lawyers, the latest in the Ballad Series. “Ms. McCrumb writes with the quiet fire and maybe a little mountain magic...She plucks the mysteries from people’s lives and works these dark narrative ... (meer)threads into Appalachian legends older than the hills. Like every true storyteller, she has the Sight,” writes The New York Times Book Review.

The Blue Ridge Book and Author Showcase is a festival and convocation in celebration of authorship, creative writing and the joy of reading. The event will be held in the new Technical Education and Development Center on the Blue Ridge Community College campus. Distinguished author and Henderson County ... (meer)native son, Robert Morgan, will serve as honorary chairman. Sharyn McCrumb, author of the widely acclaimed "Appalachian Ballad" novels, will be the festival’s keynote speaker. The program design includes segments devoted to the interests of students and aspiring writers, as well as an appeal to the general reading public. Some 50 authors will be on hand to sign and visit with readers throughout the event. Display tables will line the perimeter corridors of the huge conference hall where exhibiting authors will show and discuss their work. Additional information and an application can be found in the Display Table Program section of our site. On Friday evening, May 8, from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm a ticketed reception will be held to honor Louise Howe Bailey. The reception will be held at The Cedars, 227 Seventh Avenue West, Hendersonville. A limited number of tickets are available. Tickets are $20/person and may be purchased at the Henderson County Travel & Tourism Office on Main Street. Tickets may also be ordered by mailing your check (made payable to HCEF with a note "Bailey reception" on the memo line) to Blue Ridge Book & Author Showcase, P.O. Box 6861, Hendersonville, NC 28793. This year, the Showcase coincides with Mother’s Day Weekend, and what better way to honor the lady who taught most of us to read than by attending our Showcase! The joy of reading is a lifelong gift, and we are sure many of you remember your moms, grandmoms, aunts or sisters reading to you before you mastered the written word. Come share your memories of family love and the love of reading with the favorite ladies in your lives. Perhaps an autographed book from her favorite author would complete the perfect time you spend together at the Showcase. In further recognition of the impact Mom has on us, talented school-age writers will be recognized. These young authors will step forward to the microphone to read and discuss their works. Share the proud family moments with us!

This month’s title is Ghost Riders by Sharyn McCrumb. Large print copies of each book are available.
Adults. No Registration is Required