Donna Meredith

Donna Meredith is Editor of SOUTHERN LITERARY REVIEW and the author of seven award-winning books, all featuring flawed women who become stronger over the course of their journeys. "One of the joys of writing--and reading--for me is learning something new," she says. "I want my writing to make a difference, however small, in the world." That means tackling issues like the challenge of balancing environmental and economic needs, women's issues, spousal abuse, race relations, and the need for better education in our country. Women's journeys in life and in fiction have long been an interest of Donna's. Her newest title, MARGARET:THE ROSE OF GOODWOOD, is historical fiction based on the last woman to live in the Tallahassee mansion known as Goodwood. It follows Margaret's journey from a tenant farmer and seamstress's daughter to become Florida's premier hostess, entertaining governors and supreme court justices. "This book required a deep dive into the archives at Goodwood," Donna says. "I spent a couple of years working with docents, archival librarians, and descendants to pull Margaret's story together.”