Augusta’s arts scene isn’t limited to the visual and performing arts. Multiple literary artists live in the area or have strong ties to it, and here’s a sampling of their recent accomplishments and new releases.
The Morris Museum of Art recently announced the winners of the Porter Fleming Literary Competition, awarding writers of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. The regional competition drew submissions from several states with CSRA residents capturing the non-fiction category.
William Paul Davis of Aiken won first place with “Thick Heart,” while Augusta’s Sea Stachura placed second with “My Mother’s Ghost at 30,000.”
On June 30, Michael L. Thurmond, a Paine College alumnus, was named the 2025 finalist for the Georgia Writers Association Georgia Author of the Year Award in the history category for his book, “James Oglethorpe, Father of Georgia: A Founder’s Journey from Slave Trader to Abolitionist.”
“I am honored and humbled that my work has been recognized by such a prestigious organization,” said Thurmond, a former Georgia State Representative, in a news release.
The book documents the life and legacy of Oglethorpe, detailing how his original vision for Georgia fueled his evolution from slave trader to abolitionist, “legitimately earning the description on his memorial: ‘Friend of the oppressed Negro,’” the news release continued.
A mother-son duo released their book “Caleb: Can Do Anything In The World That He Puts His Mind To,” in April.
Written by Shonta Bradley with help from her son Caleb, “this book is an uplifting and inspiring children’s book that celebrates imagination, self-confidence, and the power of believing in yourself. Meet Caleb, a young boy with a heart full of dreams and a mind set on achieving them all. Whether he sees himself as a scientist, an artist, a superhero, or a leader, Caleb reminds young readers that anything is possible when you believe in yourself,” according to amazon.com
Augusta Good News’ columnist Ron Baxley Jr. is a “Wizard of Oz” superfan and has created his own Ozian-inspired wonderland through his O.Z. Diggs VII’s series, recently releasing the third installment, “O.Z. Diggs the Fifth Estate.”
In this installment, “eccentric veteran reporter O.Z. Diggs VII starts a virtual newspaper with himself as a literal giant talking, rainbow-dyed-haired head. He produces scroll-scripts from his Corgi-headed staff to supplement his commentary. Meanwhile, his adopted son Marteen is suspicious of a Nome attack, and Princess Ozma and H.M. Wogglebug, T.E., criticize him for his suspicions,” according to Baxley.
The two other books in the series are “O.Z. Diggs Himself Out” and “O.Z. Doesn’t Diggs G.C.C. at Emerald City.” They are available locally at The Book Tavern in Augusta and ABX / Augusta Book Exchange and Top Dog Comics in Martinez.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards and is the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
