William Rawlings was born, raised and lives in Sandersville, Georgia, home to his family for more than two centuries. His first five books were suspense novels set in rural Georgia. Turning then to non-fiction, he is the author of three subsequent works of Georgia (and Southern) history published by Mercer University Press. His books consistently garner excellent reviews, and he has been the recipient of a number of writing awards. One constant theme in Rawlings's writing is a well-defined sense of place, especially in relation to the landscape of rural Georgia. He states, One of life's greatest pageants is the continuity of life in small Southern towns. Characters wander in and out, plying their intrigues and playing their roles, both major and minor. There's hardly a need for fiction, as the truth is oftentimes more bizarre. What more inspiration could a writer ask for? This approach to the floating opera of Southern life adds dimension and depth to Rawlings's books. His most recent works include a suspense novel set in Savannah titled The Girl with Kaleidoscope Eyes, and a true-crime thriller Six Inches Deeper. Both were published by Mercer University Press in 2019 and 2020, respectively. An eleventh book, Lighthouses of the Georgia Coast, is scheduled for release in early 2021. To learn more, see the author's website: www.williamrawlings.com.
