Landscapes That Shaped the South

Two new books take on the landscapes, cultures, and communities that formed the South. Images of America: Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area by Jeff Dingler and Brigette Jones is a photographic tour through portions of DeKalb, Henry, and Rockdale Counties. From the stories of Civil Rights heroes from Lithonia to quarry workers at Arabia, this book is a reflection on our extraordinary region. In Pat Conroy’s Lowcountry: A History & Guide, Lynn Seldon highlights the rich heritage and vibrant culture of South Carolina’s Lowcountry that shaped literary icon Pat Conroy. Highlighting historical landmarks, Gullah Geechee heritage, and renowned coastal cuisine, Seldon offers a unique perspective on one of the South’s storied regions. These authors’ conversation will delve into the research they did to create these books, and the communal history and future that people and institutions worked hard to imagine and establish. 

Purchase your book from Charis Books & More. When you check-out from that link, please mention that you will need to pick your book up at the event. Books will also be for sale on-site by Charis, and a portion of your purchase will benefit the Decatur Book Festival.

This event is free and open to the public. No tickets are required, and seating is first come, first served. Signing information: Signing time: 11:15 AM

Signing location: Marriott Conference Center

About the Authors

Jeff Dingler is a writer, journalist, and performer. His writing has been featured in New York Magazine, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Wired, Atlanta magazine, and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, among others. His debut novel, Mother of Exiles, will be out with Atlanta-based publisher CrazedNovelist Books in spring 2027. He joins with his new book with coauthor Brigette Jones, Images of America: Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area.

Brigette Jones is the Assistant Executive Director for Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance in Lithonia, Georgia, and founder of Bridge Builders Historical Consulting, LLC. Her previous work has included the preservation and interpretation of the vast social histories of the many diverse cultures that inhabit the state of Tennessee, including, but not limited to, African American history, Latino history, Native American history, and Middle Eastern history, as well as fostering the types of partnerships with community institutions that will aid in the enhancement of their quality of life. Jones is a Memphis native and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the historically Black Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2019, she gained certification through the National Association for Interpretation and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture to become an official interpreter of the African American experience. Most recently, she served as Director of Equitable Partnerships for Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery and Curator of Social History for the Tennessee State Museum, where her work blended the academic study of the lasting legacy of American chattel enslavement on Tennessee and surrounding areas and the need for reparative action as it relates to American Descendants of Chattel Enslavement. She joins with her new book with coauthor Jeff Dingler, Images of America: Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area.

Lynn Seldon is a veteran travel journalist who has written for Southern Living, Garden & Gun, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and hundreds of other print and online publications. He has also authored or coauthored more than a half dozen books, including 100 Things to Do in the South Carolina Lowcountry Before You Die, 100 Things to Do in Charleston Before You Die, and 100 Things to Do in Savannah Before You Die (all with Cele Seldon); Our Vanishing Americana: A South Carolina Portrait (with Cele Seldon and Mike Lassiter); and Virginia’s Ring and Carolina’s Ring, the first two novels of his Ring Trilogy. Seldon’s friend and mentor Pat Conroy called Virginia’s Ring “a triumph and a tour de force,” while Cassandra King called Carolina’s Ring “an unforgettable story of love, loss, and redemption.” Seldon and his wife, fellow travel journalist Cele Seldon, live in Beaufort, South Carolina. His new book is Pat Conroy's Lowcountry: A History & Guide.

About the Moderator

Zana Pouncey is an environmental advocate, educator, and nature enthusiast. She was raised in Georgia and has lived in Atlanta for over a decade. Pouncey believes that living in an urban setting shouldn’t limit a person’s access to greenspaces and nature. This ideology spurred her to work with local environmental nonprofits including Trees Atlanta, Zoo Atlanta, and the Atlanta Botanical Garden. In 2020, she was awarded the Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship by National Geographic for her commitment to providing accessible environmental education to youth. Currently, she serves as the Southeast Outreach and Engagement Manager for the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), bridging the gap between communities and national park units across the Southeast.

Pouncey is the co-author of Hiking Intown Atlanta’s Hidden Forests and Hiking Metro Atlanta’s Hidden Forests, a series of guidebooks highlighting can’t-miss nature trails across the metro area. Whether on foot, by bike, or in a kayak, she enjoys spending time in nature through all seasons. When she’s not outdoors, Zana can be found enjoying Atlanta’s art, music, and food. Most days she’s at home baking, reading, or writing. She is currently working on a Young Adult eco-fantasy novel.