Joyce Compton Brown grew up in Troutman North Carolina, in a family with deep rural traditions. After graduation, she received her B.S. and M.S. from Appalachian State University. She earned a doctorate in American literature from the University of Southern Mississippi and returned to teach a Gardner-Webb University. After retirement she returned to Troutman where she had time to put more effort into her lifelong interest in writing.

Hard-Packed Clay, deeply imbued with her Iredell County roots, is her fourth book. The three others are Bequest (Finishing Line), Singing with Jarred Edges (Main St. Rag Publications), and Standing on the Outcrop, published by RedHawk Press, as is her latest book.

She lives in Troutman with her husband, biologist and writer Les Brown, and the cat, who rules them both.

Les and Joyce live in Troutman, N.C. For several years they wrote a monthly column for The Star in Shelby, N.C., and have started book and writing groups in Troutman. Les has honed his painting and drawing skills, which often depict local landmarks in McDowell and Iredell counties. Les was the feature artist for an exhibit and show at Gardner-Webb’s Tucker Student Center Art Gallery; faculty, staff, the community and alumni were able to witness a side of Les and his creativity that may have been overlooked while he served in the Natural Science Department.

Joyce and Les continue to enjoy travel, hiking in the mountains, and kayaking.