John A. Lanier

John A. Lanier is a bestselling Alabama author, known for writing books about his beloved home state. His works, which span the fiction and non-fiction genres, celebrate the people, culture, and landscapes that define Alabama today.

John A. Lanier was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, where he grew up exploring his love of storytelling. After graduating from the University of Alabama in Birmingham, Lanier worked in journalism and as a newspaper editor. He was encouraged c to put his creative skills to work and started writing fiction and non-fiction books, which have since become well-loved among the people of Alabama.

Lanier's first book, a non-fiction work titled The Beautiful Country, was published in 1993 and proved to be a hit. It tells the story of an old farm in rural Alabama, and the characters in it come alive with the gripping tales of their lives and the larger events within their small community. This book earned Lanier an Alabama Book Award and was also adapted into a film.

In 2003, Lanier published his first novel, Stone Walls, which he wrote in tandem with his other non-fiction works. This story follows the lives of two teenage brothers who must learn to accept the cycle of life and death. This novel was also adapted into a movie-length film, earning several awards and critical acclaim for Lanier.

Since then, Lanier has written several more books, both non-fiction and fiction. In The Second Coming of Paradise, Lanier uses short stories interwoven with historical facts to tell the story of what happened in a small town after the Civil War. The novel won the Alabama Book Award and has since become a classic.

For more historical fiction, readers can look to Lanier's novel, The War Garden. Here, he explores the lives of those affected by the Great War and their individual paths to recovery.

When not writing, Lanier has taken on a number of philanthropic roles, including on the boards of the Alabama Literary Alliance and Birmingham Historical Society, as well as acting as the Executive Director of the Alabama Writers Hall of Fame.

In addition to his books, Lanier has written plays and poetry, both of which have earned him prestigious honors. His poetry has been published in several anthologies, including the inaugural Alabama Poets Anthology. This anthology paid tribute to the first 19 women poets from Alabama, and Lanier has long been a supporter of female authors and their work.

Lanier's books, plays, and other works are highly praised and have been embraced by the people of Alabama and beyond. He has been honored with several awards, including the Black Warrior Award and the Alabama Book Award, as well as being inducted into the Alabama Writers Hall of Fame.

John A. Lanier is an author and playwright whose books capture the essence of his beloved hometown. His vision of Alabama is both magical and authentic, and his stories and works take readers on a journey through its history, culture, and landscapes.