The River Witch tells a story of the deep South with all its mystery, strangeness and distinction. Its essence brings to mind memories of the stories of Flannery O'Connor and Carson McCullers.

Creating a novel is tough. Until you get the hang of it, it can be hard to do the Proustian thing.

A novella can be read in only a few hours, yet the best ones pack almost the same punch as much longer works of fiction.

Even great novelists occasionally write a clunker -- sort of a loose cannon in a canon. Often, the literary dud comes at or near the start of an author's career.

It's been too long since we've shared with you the pulse of the people. It's a little segment we like to call Reading In Public! Here's how it works:...