James K Turner

James K. Turner is an author, historian, storyteller, and traveler. The 2017 winner of the Janice Keck Literary Award for non-fiction, he is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, a seventh-generation Tennessean, and an Atlanta Braves fan. He enjoys all literature, believes that Welty, Poe, and Chaucer are equally worthy, and suspects that they would enjoy a conversation over sweet tea and cornbread.

He is a board member (past and present) of historical organizations and properties. Those include the Carter House Association in Franklin, Tennessee; the Sam Davis (Home) Memorial Association in Smyrna, Tennessee; and as one of the original partners in the acquisition of the historic Gaines House in Gainesboro, Tennessee. He has just finished an extensive renovation of the Granville Mercantile, an expansive 1923 brick building in his hometown. The mercantile building, vacant for decades, has served as a store, a funeral home, and a pool hall. It now serves as a vacation rental and event center, another reincarnation from its original purpose. (www.GranvilleMercantile.com)

A reenactor in a mule-driven artillery battery for 20 years, James enjoys portraying historic characters during living histories and ghost walks. He has traveled extensively, touring dozens of historic battlefields in North America and Europe, and has a particular interest in the American Civil War and WWI. In his spare time he enjoys working on his family's cattle farm. He resides in Franklin, Tennessee with his two children, Ella and Caldwell, who will gladly visit any art exhibit in exchange for milkshakes at Elliston Place Soda Shop.

James is also a public speaker and would appreciate the opportunity to appear before your group. Contact details are available on his website at www.jamesturnerauthor.com