Meet Pamela Terry | Writer

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

Hi Pamela, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born and raised in the South, a place teeming with beauty and heartache. Holding both of those things in your hand is not the easiest thing in the world, but it makes for good storytelling, I think. A writer is always turning life over and over, looking for truth. As a Southern writer, I don’t have the luxury of accepting things as they are or pretending they were ever better than they were – our history is too complicated for that – but I do feel a responsibility to pull at those threads of our tapestry that continue to shine with hope and love.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
in 2008, after a career in interior design, I began writing a blog. I’d intended to write about design, but it only took a couple of days before I realized that, after so many years of doing it, design was the last thing I wanted to write about, so I just began writing about anything and everything. I didn’t expect anyone to be reading it anyway. I called the blog From the House of Edward, after my big white dog, and was shocked with it started to gather up followers from all over the world. It was even named one of the top ten home blogs by London’s Sunday Telegraph. Then, looking around for a new challenge, I started a novel. I had no aspirations to be published; I just wanted to see if I could do it. The novelist, Terry Kay, read some of my work and told me I needed to be published, which was both encouraging and scary, but turned out to be what I needed to hear to push me into finishing the book. Long story short, I signed with the second agent I contacted, and she sold the book to Random House in ten days. That book, The Sweet Taste of Muscadines, came out in 2021 and my second book, When the Moon Turns Blue came out in February of 2023. I’m currently working on my third book now.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We’re blessed with such a beautiful city, I think I’d spend a lot of our time outside.

Monday, we’d throw the dogs in the car and spend the day walking the trails at Callaway Gardens. It’s close to the city and lovely any time of the year.

Tuesday we’d visit some of the little towns within the big city to shop and eat. Morning in Virginia-Highlands, picking up some books at Virginia Highland Book Store and having brunch at Murphy’s. Afternoon in Woodstock, picking up more books at Foxtale Books. (Can you tell I love Atlanta’s bookstores?) Then evening in Smyrna for Food Truck Tuesdays in Taylor-Brawner Park where it’s a picnic every Tuesday night.

Wednesday we’d visit the High Museum, have lunch at Mary Mac’s, and head to the Carter Center where, hopefully, Acappella Books would be hosting one of their fabulous author evenings. I recently heard James McBride there and he was great.

Thursday we’d have breakfast at Goldberg’s Deli on Northside Parkway, then visit the Swan House. We’d spend the afternoon at the Botanical Gardens, and the evening at the Symphony. I just purchased tickets for Carmina Burana in March!

And Friday, we’d shop. Scott Antique Market, Miami Circle, Bungalow Classic, Interiors Market, Huff Harrington Home, Boxwoods. Just too many places to name.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Both the writers Terry Kay and Patti Callahan Henry were incredibly encouraging and generous in reading my work and giving me the kick in the pants I needed to finish it. I’ll always be so grateful for their kindness and time.

Website: pamela@pamelaterry.net

Instagram: pamelaandedward