Letters from Red Clay Country: Selected Columns by Mark Wallace Maguire

by Mark Wallace Maguire

"All in all a marvelous compilation" - Joe Dabney, author of 'Mountain Spirits' and James Beard Cookbook of the Year winner, "Smokehouse Ham, Spoon Bread, and Scuppernong Wine" For more than a decade, Mark Wallace Maguire has entertained readers across metro Atlanta with his award-winning columns. Now, Maguire's unique wit, wonder and wisdom are available in this selection of his best pieces, "Letters from Red Clay Country." Having grown up in cities throughout the Southeast, Mark was imbued with a taste for grits and gravy with a side of sweet tea and eccentricity. This collection includes columns about faith, fatherhood, football and family that act as a love letter to Southern culture and a reminder that there is much more to it than rednecks and rebels. Humorous, heart-warming and thought provoking Mark Wallace Maguire emerges as a refreshing voice from the New South.

58 pages, Paperback

Published October 8, 2015

About the author

Mark Wallace Maguire is an author, writer, and speaker whose work explores the intersection of art, faith, and special needs. He is the author of But First, We Must Begin in the Dark: A Father’s Journey into Special Needs & Faith, as well as the Alexandria Rising Chronicles, an action adventure series that has reached readers across the globe and is also available on Audible.

A lifelong storyteller, Maguire writes across genres and he is influenced by authors and thinkers including C.S. Lewis, Henri Nouwen, Frederick Buechner, Ferrol Sams, and Flannery O’Connor.

Maguire is also a C.S. Lewis scholar and speaker, presenting lectures and workshops on Lewis. In 2026, he presented at the Henri Nouwen Conference at the University of St. Michael’s College in Toronto, where he explored The Power of the Wounded Healer: Embracing Brokenness as a Means to Leadership.

The Georgia Humanities Council named him as a member of the inaugural Georgia Circuit and he teaches classes throughout the state on creative writing and Georgia literature.

Reviews

[William Staerker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Letters from Red Clay Country is a collection of great columns from Mr. Maguire, each of which has the power to transport the reader to important moments, special celebrations, and heartfelt reflections. The author's decision to use the four seasons to provide the organization and drive the progression of the stories provides a natural and intuitive flow, engaging the reader and evoking memories of seasons past. Highly recommended as it is easy to read, but filled with poignant memories that engage the spirit.

[Russel G. Metzger · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fun read. I loved this book. The chapters are short, and ranged from all kinds of subjects.

A very book that takes the reader through the authors child hood in quick chapters. Well written with great humor.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful read!

This book was a fun and creative read. I enjoyed the variety of stories and the light humor like small glimpses through a window.

[Jeannie Huie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable vignettes! Reminded me of John Moore's columns and books! Lots of fun!!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of well-chosen columns from Mark Wallace Maguire is chock full of worldly wisdom, entertaining anecdotes, and Southern charm. I highly recommend it when you want something that can be read as both light-hearted and deep-seated. It's a quick read that you will revert back to for years to come.