Books
Southern Women: A New Book from Garden & Gun
A celebration of the dynamic women influencing the South and beyond

photo: Jacqueline Stofsick
Since Garden & Gun debuted more than twelve years ago, we have sought to tell the stories of strong Southern women in our pages, from the conservationist Laura Turner Seydel in that first issue to the underappreciated author Nancy Hale in our latest, and hundreds more, including the Oscar-winning actor Octavia Spencer and the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash, along the way. Our forthcoming book, Southern Women, allows us the chance to herald even more of these richly diverse women who make up today’s South.
Through interviews, essays, and photos, Southern Women features the voices and stories of more than 100 remarkable chefs, musicians, actors, writers, artists, entrepreneurs, designers, public servants, and others to offer a dynamic portrait of who the Southern woman is now—creative, brilliant, barrier-shattering powerhouses who have by turns embraced the South’s proud traditions and overcome its equally pervasive barriers and challenges. The voices of luminaries such as Sissy Spacek, Carla Hall, Natasha Trethewey, and Loretta Lynn join those whose stories for too long have been overlooked or underestimated, from the pioneering Texas rancher Minnie Lou Bradley to the Gee’s Bend, Alabama, quilter Mary Margaret Pettway. Some of the South’s best writers, too, pay homage to the Southern women who have inspired them, including Jessica B. Harris on Mahalia Jackson, Julia Reed on Tammy Wynette, and Allison Glock—who also writes the foreword—on Holly Hunter. Together, these visionaries have left their indelible mark not just on Southern culture, but on America itself.
By reading these stories of triumph, grit, and grace, the ties that bind the sisterhood of Southern women emerge: an unflinching resilience and resourcefulness, an inherent love of the land, a singular style and wit. And while the wisdom shared may be rooted in the Southern experience, the universal themes are sure to resonate beyond the Mason-Dixon Line.
The book is available now at the links below and at bookstores everywhere.
Fieldshop by Garden & Gun
Amazon
Bookshop
Barnes & Noble
Books-A-Million
Garden & Gun is proud to donate a portion of Southern Women proceeds to support Girls Inc.
Come see us on the Southern Women Book Tour. Click here for a list of all upcoming events and ticket information.
In honor of the debut of Southern Women, Holler Beach Productions—founded by Garden & Gun contributing editor Allison Glock and her husband, T Cooper—created a special film celebrating dynamic Southern women in the book and beyond. Watch now:
Related Stories:

G&G READS
Watch: John Grisham on Storylines, Writing, McConaughey
The bestselling author also discusses his new book, The Exchange, in a candid G&G Reads conversation

Arts & Culture
The Bold and Generous Spirit of Lee Smith
No one has tapped into Southern truths quite like the Virginia-raised author, whose fifteen novels span Appalachia to the Florida Keys. Just ask the legion of writers who praise Smith for guiding their own stories

Arts & Culture
Jericho Rising
How the push and pull of the South feed Louisiana native Jericho Brown’s soul-shaking, award-winning poetry
Trending Stories:

Home & Garden
Thirty Ways to Make Your Garden Look Older
Garden pros share tips for giving your green spot a sense of Southern story

Travel
A Perfect Fall Weekend in Edenton, North Carolina
North Carolina’s Inner Banks have a surprising political history, famous barbecue, and the best grilled cheese oysters you’ve never heard of

Music
In the Studio with Vincent Neil Emerson and Shooter Jennings
The Grammy-winning producer Jennings helps Emerson tap into his rock-and-roll spirit on his new album, The Golden Crystal Kingdom