Our contributors


Our Man in Raleigh

Paul O’Connor is a veteran journalist who has written news, political analysis, columns, travel stories, book reviews and editorials for a number of publications. He retired from the journalism school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2018 after 30 years as an instructor.

Paul has wide-ranging interests, from American literature to military history and beyond. He’s an aficionado of quality beers; in fact, he’s a beer snob. As a personal note, he’s also the best journalist I was ever forced to fire, evidence of  the sorry state of 21st century newspapering. Fortunately, he knew the “downsizing” wasn’t my fault, and he contributes his skills and insights to Briar Patch Books.

Paul has now turned some of his attention to writing books. Most recently, he has written a genealogical mystery about his mother. Expect to hear more about that soon.

Contact him at ocolumn@gmail.com.

Writer and Reviewer

Anne Barnhill, contributing writer

Anne Clinard Barnhill has been writing professionally for more than 20 years.  Her debut novel, At the Mercy of the Queen, is forthcoming in 2012 from St. Martin’s Press.  Her first book,  At Home in the Land of Oz: Autism, My Sister and Me (memoir, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London, 2007), has received good reviews, and her second book, What You Long For (short-story collection, Main Street Rag, has also been well received.  In her spare time, Anne enjoys playing piano and dancing around the kitchen to early Beatles’ music.

For more information, check out her website/blog at
www.anneclinardbarnhill.com.

5 responses to “Our contributors”

    • Hi Sara,
      I have not yet figured out about a mailing list, but that is on my to-do list.
      Good to hear from you.
      Linda

  1. Ms. Brinson,

    What a terrific, well-written article on Harper Lee’s most recently published book! Thanks.

    Melzer (Pat) Morgan
    Retired Superior Court Judge
    Reidsville

  2. I have a reading coming up in Greensboro at Barnes & Noble for my new novel That Bright Land, and I’m trying to get in touch with Ms. Brinson to perhaps encourage a review. Is there a convenient way to contact you to discuss?

  3. This is to thank you for the review of “Across the Face of the Storm.” I just ran into Tom Dylan (as so often happens at my age, at a funeral) and found out about it. Tom and I share the honor of both having been fired by the same editor. If you ever need a review or a favor and I can help, let me know. (Or if there’s a scholarly gathering in pursuit of an answer to Who in bloody hell shot newspapers? count me in. Jerry Adams

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