Yesterday, I graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a PhD in Public History. My dissertation was titled, “Equity for the Ancestors: African American Cemeteries in Southern Urban Spaces and the National Register of Historic Places.” One chapter focused on my analysis of cemeteries listed in the National Register and the different strategies used for African American cemeteries versus White (not Hispanic) cemeteries. I am already scheduled to present these findings in April to “Real Places,” the conference of the Texas Historical Commission (our state historic preservation office). Rather than try to turn my dissertation into a book, I will focus on creating a manuscript using this portion of my dissertation as a jumping-off point.
But first, I am currently under contract to write at least one book for The History Press about Texas dance halls. I also have been invited to submit a book proposal to a series at Texas A&M University Press, and I have several ideas for trade publications. Ultimately, I would like to develop a state-by-state encyclopedia of American ballrooms and dance halls.
My previous publications include Lighthouses of Texas, for Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series — which functions as sort of a “starter” book experience for many of us in historic preservation. I also was invited to write two sidebars for Buildings of Texas, Volume 1, edited by Gerald Moorhead and published by the Society of Architectural Historians and am credited for that very minor contribution.
I’m excited about finally getting to focus on writing books (in addition to working my day job as a historic preservation professional).