John B. Edwards is an award-winning author who spoke on campus for the Writer’s Harvest series. Edwards brought his knowledge of over 45 years in law enforcement and shared his processes and methods of incorporating his life into his writing.
Dr. Jeff Newberry organizes the Writer’s Harvest series, bringing authors to campus to share their works while supporting ABAC’s food pantry with a single food item as an entry fee. “John is a friend. Since he writes about the rural south, I thought he’d be a great fit for the series,” Newberry said. “He brought together a room full of people to hear his stories, everyone from students to police officers that he has taught.”
In 1997, Edwards started his career at ABAC’s Police Academy. He then started working for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation as an undercover agent and later started as an SAC.
Edward’s experiences in coastal Georgia as a law enforcement officer provide the plot framework for writing his stories. “After spending 47 years in that area, I’ve seen a few murders, I’ve worked shrimp boats bringing thousands of pounds of marijuana in the old days,” said Edwards.
Edwards led the discussion with a quote from one of his creative inspirations, William Faulkner. Edwards said, “The past is never dead, all of us labor in webs spun long before we were born. Webs of heredity, an environment of desire, and of consequence of history and eternity. Faulkner’s words live today.”
When reading Edward’s books, he hopes that the plot’s authenticity of what he writes makes you want to keep turning the page and never set the book down. “That’s why fiction has the effect it has on us; it asks if we were there, and we can actually feel it,” Edwards said. “I want you to feel what I write.”
Writers want their readers to find solace in their works. “There is a song by the Drifters called ‘Up on the Roof.’ That song talks about everybody needing a roof, which means to get away from the problems that bother you. My goal is to open the door and give you a roof,” said Edwards.
Writing and Communication Department Head Cyndy Hall attended the event. Hall said, “I want to support local and Georgia authors and bring the arts to ABAC in all forms. Just like we buy local produce, we need to support local arts.”
Hall further spoke about the Writer’s Harvest initiative in supporting ABAC’s food pantry. “If we are going to support these authors, we need to support people of our own community that need something to eat.”
The Writer’s Harvest series will continue with more authors coming to inspire the ABAC community about their future writing endeavors. Reach out to Dr. Jeff Newberry at jnewberry.abac.edu for further information.