Today we’d like to introduce you to John Pruitt.
Hi John, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
For almost half a century, I reported the news of Atlanta, Georgia, and the nation as a television news reporter and anchor for WSB-TV and WXIA-TV. It was a job that took me around the world and put me in close contact with a wide range of people from U.S. Presidents, governors, civil rights leaders to ordinary people doing extraordinary things. I loved my work, but in 2011 the time came for me to retire and seek other challenges. One of my top objectives was writing a novel based on my experiences as a reporter-cameraman covering the civil rights movement in Georgia. My first week on the job at WSB in July 1964 was the week the Civil Rights Act of ’64 was signed into law. I will never forget the turmoil and violence of those days as well as the great courage of those in the movement who risked and sometimes sacrificed their lives for the cause of equal rights for all. I drew on those experiences to write Tell It True, my historical novel depicting this time of social upheaval.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Writing a novel is a significant undertaking requiring inspiration, persistence, and the determination to see it through to the final page. I based Tell It True on an actual event, the murder of an African-American retired Army officer by Klansmen in North Georgia in July 1964. My story is a fictionalization of that murder case, the investigation, the trial, and the aftermath. There were many challenges in writing Tell It True. I had to give an authentic picture of the era and the thoughts and actions of a wide range of figures, including civil rights leaders, politicians, law enforcement officials, and the journalists who covered the story, often at great personal risk. I found the process to be hard work, but it was also exhilarating when ideas came to me as the story unfolded.
Upon completion of Tell It True, I had to find a publisher and was quite fortunate to reach an agreement with Mercer University Press after almost a year of searching for just the right fit. Once the book came out in October 2022, I embarked on a book tour which was a wonderful opportunity to meet readers from all over and encourage them to delve into Tell It True.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My career as a television news reporter and anchor was extremely exciting and rewarding. In addition to my daily reporting and anchoring duties, I also worked on a number of award-winning documentaries, which tapped into my creative impulses. Despite all those experiences, nothing has challenged me more than writing my novel. It required more of my focus, abilities, determination, and energy than any other creative endeavor I’ve undertaken. The result is Tell It True, and the personal gratification of hearing from those who have read and enjoyed my novel is enormous. Tell It True is available at local independent bookstores and on various websites, including Amazon.com.
What matters most to you? Why?
First and foremost, what matters to me is family. My wife of 54 years, Andrea, our 2 beautiful daughters, our 6 bright and talented grandchildren, and of course our canine family Sully (golden retriever) and Ruby (terrier mix)-both rescues. Also important to me are building and maintaining friendships, helping charitable organizations, fostering environmental awareness, and working toward a world that is more just and at peace.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.johnpruittauthor.com
