Southern Whispers

About the Book

“Southern Whispers” is a collection of short stories written from both childhood adventures of life in a small Miss. town, and stories of fiction born from a single idea or event. Each story gives the reader a chance to venture into small town life and for a brief while see and understand some of the ideology of southern living. Anderson’s collection of stories are written strictly to give each reader as much enjoyment as he had writing them.

About the Author

Erik Anderson grew up in Pontotoc, Miss. and drew from life in “Small Town, Miss.” in writing his stories.  He graduated from Pontotoc High in 1983 and later from Itawamba Junior College in 1993.  In college, he edited a college magazine, and discovered his talent in writing was more than just an interesting hobby.  Whether drawing on personal experiences or expanding on a single idea, he enjoys pulling his reader into his stories and taking them on a journey that each of his tales provide.

Erik’s work entails accounting, analytical, and merchandising support to a large chain of stores, but on the side, he uses his creativity to publish a monthly newsletter, write advertisements, compile the family album and fund-raiser cookbooks, and work on his own poetry and short stories.  His process in beginning a new poem or story is a little different from other author.  He has the idea in his head and when it has been “worked out”, he grabs a pen and it “falls out on to the paper”.  Not looking to give some grand direction to readers, he writes for the pure enjoyment of it.

Using the adventures of childhood and high school as the basis for a number of stories, Erik exhausted those memories and ideas.  Now, with four of his own children, Chelsea, Derik, Emily and Kimberly, he has a wealth of new ideas and adventures to write about. And with the recent addition of a new lady in his life, Jacque, and her 3 children, Brandon, Tyson, and Katie, the subjects are countless.  Imagine 7 children, ages ranging from 4 to 15, and all the “events” that a long weekend can yield.

Presently, Erik resides in Tupelo, Ms., an area that holds a great deal of reverence for creativity, both past and present.  With names like Faulkner, Presley, and Grisham looming large, Erik has been some what intimidated by these masters and their works, keeping his own writings in a file cabinet.  But with recent praise from literary judges, he has ventured out to try and get published.