You can say that I started writing this book almost 30 years ago. I recall pitching the idea to my fellow Heineken Writer’s Club members back in the early nineties. At that time there was a rumor, or urban legend, being circulated by Black people around the country. It was a report that the Voting Rights Act of 1965 only provided temporary privileges for Black people, and those voting rights would expire in the early 2000s. 

That thought captivated me, even after my research confirmed that there was no truth to the legend. It was such an interesting and compelling concept that I kept thinking about it. I hadn’t written a word down, but the main storylines were vivid in my mind. Each time I considered starting to write the novel, I questioned whether the industry was ready for the unapologetically brutal world it depicted. I was also just starting my career, with a goal of quickly climbing the corporate ladder. I remember thinking that I didn’t have the time to write a book that wouldn’t be picked up by a publisher, and therefore never read by anyone. 

As the years went by, and responsibilities at home and work grew, I thought about writing Dixie less and less. That was true until 2020. Leading up to that year, there was a seemingly never-ending list of senseless deaths of innocent Black people, some of which were caught on camera. The undeniable brutality forced many to face some of the nation’s demons head on. Around the country, more people became open to participating in difficult discussions about racism, social justice, and equity.

However, at the same time this was occurring, the country was becoming increasingly more politicized. The divide between Red and Blue grew dramatically over recent years. Bipartisanship became a thing of the past. Leaders sought and found more power through strength of the parties. Lines were drawn, and no one dared cross them. Independent thinking is frowned upon. And those that dared to challenge the party line were dealt with quickly and decisively. It was as if political gangs were being formed right in front of us.

Who could have predicted that the chasm between Republicans and Democrats would make thousands of American citizens feel compelled to storm the Capital to take back the government? These are already unprecedented times.

Back to Dixie takes what has already been happening several steps further, giving readers a view of how far things can go with one mind-blowing series of events.