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Abraham, Ken
Akin, Genie
Alexander, Tasha

Augustine, Peg
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Abraham, Ken

Following a childhood in the small Pennsylvania town of Clymer, Ken Abraham received his education at Indiana University, Asbury College, and Asbury Theological Seminary. He has been a professional musician, pastor, and motivational speaker. Writing was a part of all these career paths and gradually became his main focus. In addition to his own books, he has collaborated with many popular celebrities and public figures, including Paul Azinger, Dr. Jimmy Allen, and Jim Bakker, for which he has been featured on "20-20," "Larry King Live," and "Good Morning America." He also writes Bible commentaries and study guides. Abraham has authored more than 50 books with sales of more than 2 million copies. Abraham and his family moved to Williamson County in 1997.

–The Prodigal Project, Book 1: Genesis (with Daniel Hart), 2003
–Dear God, Do You Really See Everything (with Annie Fitzgerald), 2003
–Dear God, Thank You for Your Friends (with Annie Fitzgerald), 2003
–Dear God, Thank You for Making Me Special (with Annie Fitzgerald), 2003
–Dear God, It’s Me Again (with Annie Fitzgerald), 2003
–Racing to Win (with Joe Gibbs), 2002
–Right Thing (with Scott Waddle), 2002
–Let’s Roll: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage (with Lisa Beamer and others), 2002
–The True Story of a Cocaine Drug Lord and His Unexpected Encounter with God (with Jorge F. Valdes), 2000
–Payne S. Stewart: The Authorized Biography (with Tracey Stewart), 2000
–The Refuge: A Look into the Future and the Power of Living in a Christian Community (with Jim Bakker), 2000
–Vestal! Lord I Wouldn’t Take Nothin’ for my Journey Now (with Vestal Goodman), 2000, 1998
–Convicted (with Jorge Valdes), 1999
–Jesus Loves Me Devotional (with Angela Abraham and others), 1999
–Jesus Loves Me Bible (with Angela Abraham and others), 1999
–Fairways: Inspiration for the Golf Enthusiast, 1999
–Prosperity and the Coming Apocalypse (with Jim Bakker), 1998
–Bringing Out the Winner in Your Child (with Jim Croyle), 1997
–Beauty to Last a Lifetime (with Kim Boyce), 1997, 1993
–A Tender Road Home: The Story of How God Healed a Marriage Crippled by Anger and Abuse (with Paul and Susie Luchsinger), 1997
–Who Are the Promise Keepers: Understanding the Christian Men’s Movement, 1997
–God Keeps His Promises: Prophecies Fulfilled in the New Testament, 1997
–Jesus Teaches Me to Pray, 1997
–I Was Wrong: The Untold Story of the Shocking Journey from PTL Power to Prison and Beyond (with Jim Bakker), 1996
–Praise and Worship: A Devotional for Little Ones (with Angela Abraham), 1996
–Brainstorm: Monsters from the ID, 1996
–Levantate Y Pelea: Stand Up and Fight Back, 1996
–Zinger: A Champion’s Story of Determination, Courage, and Charging Back (with Paul Azinger, 1995
–The Burden of a Secret (with Jimmy Allen), 1995
–Don’t Bite the Apple ’Til You Check for Worms: A Survival Guide to Love, Sex, and Singleness, 1994
–Finding Heaven in the Real World (with Stephen Curtis Chapman), 1994
–In Process: Devotions to Help You Develop Your Faith (with Kim Boyce), 1994
–The Hosanna Bible (with Angela Abraham), 1994
–Stand Up and Fight Back: A Young Person’s Guide to Spiritual Warfare, 1993
–Armed and Dangerous: Straight Answers from the Bible, 1993
–The Gamer: An 11-Time All-Star’s Inside Story of the Pain, Grit, Guts, and Glory of Life in the Majors (with Gary Carter), 1993
–In Focus (with Kim Boyce), 1992
–This Isn’t the Trip I Signed Up For, 1991
–The Disillusioned Christian, 1991
–Unmasking the Myths of Marriage, 1990
–Positive Holiness, 1988
–Ken Abraham’s Hot Trax Devotions for Guys, 1987
–Ken Abraham’s Hot Trax Devotions for Girls, 1987
–Promises of the Messiah (with Abram K. Abraham), 1987
–Designer Genes, 1986

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Akin, Genie

Genie Akin grew up on a large farm in Franklin, the daughter of one of the largest cattle breeders in Tennessee. On her farm near Lexington, Kentucky, she raises thoroughbred broodmares and racing stock, as well as breeding and selling hunter and jumper ponies. Akin donated the proceeds of her first book, a children’s title, Whose Children Are We?, to the Mary G. Copeland Foundation’s home for abused and neglected children, which she began in 1994. She wrote a novel about the horse show world under the pen name Ellie Boatman.

–Unbridled Injustice, 2005
–Whose Children Are We, 1996

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Alexander, Tasha (See Tyska, Tasha)

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Alexander, Hudson

A native of Franklin, Hudson Alexander began writing for the Tennessean at age 17 while he was still attending Battle Ground Academy. He graduated from UT-Knoxville with a B.S. in communications, having worked summers in radio news at WKDA. Alexander has worked in radio, business, and freelance writing, mostly for Civil War publications. He has been a staff writer for Civil War News. He was inspired to write by the example of his grandfather, T. H. “Alex” Alexander, who was the first nationally syndicated columnist.

–Physicians of Williamson County: A Legacy of Healing, 1797–1997, 1997

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Allen, Mary (1941- )

Mary Allen attended Nashville elementary schools, moved to Williamson County in 1954, and graduated from Franklin High School in 1960. Her poetry has won several awards and has been published by Quill Press, World of Poetry, Great Lakes Poetry Press, and Sparrow Grass Poetry. Allen says that readers should focus on her poems, not her accomplishments. She writes, "It is my expressed hope that these poems will be of encouragement to anyone who seeks to use their talents for the betterment of humanity and for the glory of God."

– Poetry on Canvas, 1997
–A Rose Grows Free, 1994
–To Soar Like an Eagle, 1992
–Reflections of the Heart, 1992

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Allen, William Fletcher (1931- )

Fletcher Allen, along with two brothers and three sisters, grew up on a farm in South Carolina, where he learned to appreciate hard work and high thinking. His large family is the subject of his book. Allen graduated from Furman University in Greenville, S.C. and entered a career of writing and editing, a lifetime occupation interrupted only by a stint in the army during the Korean War. He worked on Baptist denominational newspapers in South Carolina, Maryland, and more recently Tennessee. He came to Franklin, Williamson County, in 1987. In retirement Allen has published poetry and essays.

–Plowing Wind and Time, 2007
–Half a Dozen Assorted, 2000

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Anderson, Mary Trim (1910- )

Born in Maury County, Mary Trim Anderson grew up in Thompson’s Station, attended UT-Knoxville, and received her master's degree from Peabody. She taught English in the Williamson County, Franklin City, and Maury County schools for 44 years before her retirement in 1975. She has served as president of the Tennessee Council of Teachers of English, the Franklin Business and Professional Women’s Club, Delta Kappa Gamma Professional Society, and the Williamson County Historical Society. She has made frequent contributions to the annual journal of the historical society and has served as its editor several times, most notably for the 1976 bicentennial edition. Her book was added to the selective historical collection of the DAR Library in Washington, D.C.

–Landmarks: The Restoration Movement in Williamson County, 1993

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Armistead, Bob (1952- )

Bob Armistead was born in Franklin and graduated from Battle Ground Academy. He attended Vanderbilt University on a football scholarship and majored in history. Since graduation in 1971, he has made his home in Nashville, where he has a gallery and related internet business that deal in Civil War art and battle souvenirs. The titles of his works show that his main interest is Civil War history.

–Warrior Forrest, 1998
–Never to Quit: A Story of Two Confederates, 1993

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Ash, William (see Hooper, Charles)

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Atkinson, Don

Don Atkinson grew up and was educated in the Huntsville, Alabama area. He received his master and doctoral degrees from Baptist seminaries and served pastorates in Alabama and Georgia before coming to serve as an editor and writer with the Baptist Sunday School Board (LifeWay Christian Resources) in Nashville and to live in Franklin. In addition to his work with the Board, Atkinson has served as pastor of Walker Memorial Baptist Church in Franklin. He is also an avid sports fan—the Crimson Tide above all.

–Meeting Needs, Sharing Christ, 1995
–Celebrating Life, 1989
–A Barnabas Lifestyle, 1986

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Atwood, Jeff (1964- )

Jeff Atwood was born in Madison, Wisconsin, and spent his formative years in Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana and Pennsylvania, all of which influenced his outlook on life and family values. His love for writing was born from his affection for books at an early age. His book Our Big, Big God was influenced by conversations about God with his daughter, who has significant mental and physical disabilities. Jeff was educated at Purdue University and has had a career in communications, advertising/public relations, and marketing. He now resides in Brentwood.

–My First Message: Amazing Stories of the Bible , 2008
–My First Message: Stories of Jesus , 2008
–DriveTime Devotions for Women Volume 2 , 2007
–DriveTime Devotions for Men Volume 2 , 2007
–Our Big, Big God , 2007
–DriveTime Devotions for Men Volume 1 , 2006
–DriveTime Devotions for Women Volume 1 , 2006

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Augustine, Peg (1948- )

Born in Virginia, Peg Augustine attended Scarritt College, earning a degree in Christian education. A resident of Franklin, she is a children’s book editor at the United Methodist Publishing House in Nashville and pastor of historic Garrison United Methodist Church near Leiper’s Fork. Augustine’s books for children are affordable, inspirational, and colorfully illustrated stories of Christmas, Easter, and Bible characters.

–Every Letter Tells the Story: An Easter ABC, 2003
–The First Christmas, 2002
–Alphabet Rhymes for Bible Times, 2002
–Jesus Says, 2002
–The Bible Says, 2002
–Paul Says, 2001
–Abingdon’s Young Readers’ Bible Dictionary (with Daphne Flegal), 2001
–Counting to Ten with Moses, 2000

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