Meet Beth Duke | Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Beth Duke and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Beth, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve always played with my creative side; I designed, crafted, and patented a bracelet design in my jewelry days and have dabbled in watercolor and cake decorating and countless crafts. In the background, there was always a love for wordsmithing. I wrote ad copy for years, put together speeches and skits and song parodies for fundraisers—but never tried my hand at fiction until my children were in school and I was inspired to write a few short stories.
I fell in love.
My first creation won second place in an international competition, and I took the first baby steps toward becoming a full-time author. Many years would pass before that vision was realized.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The most exciting part of writing novels is connecting with and meeting people through my stories. That’s an absolute joy to me. I join book clubs for discussion often (usually via Zoom); those women are invariably charming, smart, fun, funny groups and I treasure every experience. My books are all love letters to Alabama in one way or another. When I began writing, I was living in Florida and missing my home state—I don’t think it was an accident I’d just seen the movie Sweet Home Alabama with its cloying stereotypes and cliches about The South. My work provides a vehicle to show the world a different side of this beautiful place, whether it’s the Marshall Space Center, the annual Shakespeare Festival, the Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall, or the spectacular mountain scenery of the northeast. It’s a source of great pride to have people in places as diverse as Hawaii and Quebec and Croatia telling me they are now inspired to visit Alabama for the first time.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We’re definitely going to the top of Cheaha Mountain to hike and appreciate the breathtaking views. Lunch will be at my beloved Classic On Noble, a gorgeous melange of exquisite woodwork, crystal chandeliers and towering floral arrangements that used to be Woolworth’s in downtown Anniston! They have a fried green tomato salad that will convert even the most tomato-resistant person. We’ll spend some time in Oxford’s fun center, Big Time Entertainment, playing games and driving electric go carts. Evenings will find us at The Lush Garden, a unique and cozy upscale wine bar in Anniston, on a velvet sofa listening to classic Al Green and sharing a charcuterie platter. At least one visit to Anniston’s Redbird Willow Farm is in order. That is a fun and exciting place to meet and interact with everything from friendly llamas to an adorable Scottish Highland Cow named Rudy.
Have to include Little River Canyon and DeSoto Falls, two spectacular spots to take in the prettiest scenery. We’ll sample some delightful cuisine in Birmingham, which is known for its cutting edge culinary scene.
One day will be devoted to the Anniston Museum of Natural History and The Berman Museum next door. I’m so fascinated by the Berman I included its stellar collection of spycraft artifacts and war memorabilia in my latest book.
If there’s time, we’ll take a road trip to Muscle Shoals to discover some astonishing music history and visit the nearby Wichahpi Commemorative Wall I’ve mentioned. This will be done after I’ve forced my guests to watch the documentary “Muscle Shoals” (it’s truly wonderful and eye-opening; featuring everyone from Bono to The Rolling Stones to Alicia Keys).

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am forever indebted to a select group of people who enjoyed my early short stories, and asked me to email them as I finished each one. They’ve encouraged and supported me throughout my writing journey. I might never have gone forward without them propelling me! Some of those “early readers” are still providing me feedback on works in progress. I don’t dare name them for fear of leaving someone out, but they know who they are. Of course, my family has demonstrated endless patience and understanding. Writers can be a little testy. My husband has become very adept at protecting the Hermetically Sealed Writing Chamber.

Website: www.bethduke.com

Instagram: @onlythebethforyou

Facebook: Facebook.com/bethidee