The 18 Notables in Jack Prather’s two books of biographies are exemplary North Carolina residents who made their marks anywhere in the state, nation or world.
Each was selected after extensive research and recommendations from their peers; and for their record of giving back to the community. Each bio includes a photo-array that shows the Notable in various stages of her or his life.
The
in-depth personal and career life stories of these men and women from North
Carolina portrayed by Jack J. Prather will be the
focus of discussion during his upcoming statewide speaking and book-event tour.
Six Notable Women of North Carolina
(238-pages/81-photos) published in January was Prather’s sequel to Twelve Notables in Western North Carolina (400-pages/134-photos) that was
nominated for the NC Literary & Historical Association 2012 Ragan Award for
Non-Fiction. Prather’s books are available at Amazon.com, online book sites,
and bookstores and libraries by request.
The
Hendersonville author founded the Young Writers Scholarship at Warren Wilson
College in 2012 to honor the Notables in his books. He donates a portion of proceeds from sales to
the fund, and asks fellow authors, writers and avid readers to lend their support.
The next book in the ongoing series planned for 2016 will be Young Notables of North Carolina.
Favorable
reviews of Twelve Notables in Western
North Carolina appeared in the NC
Libraries Journal and the NC
Genealogical Society Journal; and for Six
Notable Women of North Carolina in NC
Woman magazine and The Hendersonville
Lightning.
Information about scheduling an author appearance in your area can be obtained by calling 828-808-0660, or by emailing info@futurenowpublishing.com.
Testimonials
about the Notable series have come from TV icon Katie Couric, noted reviewer
Rob Neufeld, writer and director of Writers Circle around the Table, Glenda Beall, music legend Doc
Watson, former Governor Jim Hunt, former Secretary of State Elaine Marshall,
former Supreme Court Chief Justice Jim Exum, biographer Bruce Chadwick, and
educator Ron Partin, et al.
The Six Notable Women of North Carolina are :
Kathy Reichs of Charlotte: novelist and
inspiration for the Bones TV series; certified forensic anthropologist.
Sharon Decker of Rutherfordton: former Secretary of Commerce; first female Duke Power
VP; founder of Tapestry Group.
Jennifer Pharr Davis of Asheville: Appalachian Trail record hiker; National
Geographic Adventurer of the Year.
Millie Ravenel of Raleigh: Director Emerita Center for International Understanding; Friendship
Force founder.
Kathryn Stripling Byer of Cullowhee: Poet Laureate 2005-9; Literary Hall of Fame; author
of five poetry books.
Anne Ponder of Asheville: Chancellor Emerita UNC Asheville; Collegiate
Honors Council fellow and president.
Kathryn Stripling Byer, first woman poet Laureate of NC
The 12 Notables in Western North
Carolina are:
Judge
Harry C. Martin of Biltmore Forest: former NC & Cherokee (EBCN) Supreme
Court Justice.
David
Holt of Fairview: Grammy winning musician; Doc Watson’s performing partner; storyteller.
Billie
Ruth Sudduth of Bakersville: first woman named NC Living Treasure, basket art in
Smithsonian.
Doug
Orr of Black Mountain: president emeritus of Warren Wilson College, musician, singer,
author.
GlenisRedmond of Piedmont: Hall of Fame Performance Poet; Kennedy Center Teaching
artist; author.
Julyan
Davis of Asheville: British Southern Art master oil painter; work shown in
international galleries.
Joe
Epley of Tryon: global public relations leader; PRSA Lifetime Achievement Award
winner; novelist.
Dr.
Olson Huff of Black Mountain: founding Medical Director of Mission Children’s
Hospital; author.
Dr.
Matt Hayes of Hendersonville: emergency physician pioneer, co-founder Emergency
Dept. of Nurses.
Capt.
Ray West, USNR-ret. of Flat Rock: Moldova World Children’s Fund founder; UNCA
Alumnus of Year.
Richard
Q. Ritter of Bakersville: NC Living Treasure studio glass artist; Governor’s
Award as Fire Chief.
