Background & Upbringing
Hailing from rural West Virginia, James was raised in a blue-collar family. His parents worked in coal mining and emphasized perseverance and community support.
Education
Earned a BA in American Studies from a small college in West Virginia, then an MA in Cultural History in California.
Professional Background
Started as a local newspaper journalist, covering Appalachian culture and labor issues. Over time, he developed a passion for writing novels that combine regional traditions with universal romantic themes.
Places Lived
Spent most of his life in West Virginia and then lived in Los Angeles for six years. Recently relocated to a small coastal town in Maine.
Influences
Draws on Appalachian folklore and writers like Breece D’J Pancake, while also embracing the sophistication of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s style. Country and folk music run deep in his veins, but he also finds inspiration in jazz and classical orchestral compositions that he discovered in California. His writing balances rustic simplicity with nuanced emotional depth.
