Valerie G. Nieman
AUTHOR

Valerie G. Nieman

Literature & Fiction | Teen & Young Adult
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"Upon the Corner of the Moon" is the story of the Macbeths you’ve never known: Destined to unite Scotland, they first had to survive childhoods as pawns in a dynastic struggle. While closely following recorded history about the rise of this rightful king who ruled for 17 years, it also speculates on the heritage of his wife Gruach, drawing on the ancient history of Alba and the mysterious legacy of the Picts. To get a deeper understanding of the place and period, I plunged into the Scottish landscape on two solo hiking journeys, and spent happy days in the National Library and museums large and small. The political and religious face of Europe is forever changed by the dramatic events of the 11th century. Previous novels include "Dead Hand," a sequel for "To the Bones," a blend of paranormal mystery, romantic suspense, with the distinctive tang of Appalachia along with Irish lore. It has some very dark elements but overall rather spritely, I think. ("To the Bones" was shortlisted for both the Manly Wade Wellman Award and the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award.) "In the Lonely Backwater" was honored with the Sir Walter Raleigh Award for the best book of fiction by a North Carolina writer. It draws on all the people I've been -- a reporter, a farmer, a sailor, a teacher, and always, a walker and observer. It's an official International Pulpwood Queens Book Club pick, won the Mystery/Suspense category prize from American Writing Awards, and was a finalist at Forewords INDIES. Another recent title, "Leopard Lady: A Life in Verse," is set in a mid-century carnival and features poems that appeared in The Missouri Review, Chautauqua, and other journals. More than 15 years of writing -- and a week of study at Coney Island Museum -- went into telling the story of Dinah and The Professor. I have held grants from the NEA, and the North Carolina and West Virginia arts councils. I earned degrees from West Virginia University and Queens University of Charlotte and worked as a reporter in coal country and a writing professor at NC A&T State University.
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