The Diary of a Southern Author

Welcome to your home for captivating storytelling, historical tales and true crime.

Who is Pat Branning?

I am an award-winning journalist, former editor, and broadcaster for WSB Radio, Atlanta, as well as a historian and storyteller living in the South Carolina Lowcountry.

Perhaps you know me from my best-selling book series, Shrimp, Collards and Grits, stories, fine art, and recipes from the creeks and gardens of the Lowcountry. Perhaps you are a former subscriber to my Shrimp Collards and Grits magazine, or you’ve seen me in Charleston Style and Design magazine, The Local Palate, Deep South magazine, and various other publications.

Or perhaps you don’t know me at all. If so, this is the time for us to get to know each other and bond over some great stories. I want to let you know more about this “land of shrimp, collards, and grits,” make you think and laugh, and even make you hold your loved ones tighter.

Your invitation to become part of this exciting journey into storytelling.

I want to take a moment to thank every reader, follower, and subscriber who has supported and enjoyed my work since I joined Substack just one year ago. It has been a rewarding experience because it has allowed me to chat with many of you through this platform. I’d like to do more than gain readers. I would like this to be a storytelling community where you - the reader can offer feedback, suggestions, and your own stories. Together this will be an entertaining journey for both of us. Things will only keep getting better, and I owe it all to you.

For example: write about what you love about the South. I love how Southerners know how far it is to “over yonder,” and how many collards it takes to make a “mess.” If Pat Conroy is your favorite writer, “Gone with the Wind” and “Steel Magnolias” are your favorite movies, you can become an honorary Southerner of distinction. No worries even if you live above the Mason-Dixon line. I love that we Southerners can say just about anything about anyone as long as we end the conversation with “Well, bless her heart.” I love how my friend Beth looks for the Krispy Kreme doughnut sign on the way to Charleston and pulls over if she sees the Hot & Now sign. That mouth-watering aroma stays with us all the way to Meeting Street.

A glimpse of things to come.

I will continue storytelling that will include everything from modern true crime, historical true crime, Southern Gothic which often involves ghosts and spirits, secrets from Southern Fishcamps, recipes, and giving you insights into the people and places that make this one of the last authentic regions in our great nation. Lowcountry. This is where all history began. We cannot stop the storms of life but I hope someone out there who may be experiencing a tough time reads my humor or story and it makes their day brighter. I will include comfort and solace through the power of humor and story, that will uplift one’s soul and distract from the gritty and tragic realities of life.

Some days I will take you to historic plantations, give you a unique view of our culture, take you back in history, or let you know about crimes long forgotten. We will experiment with a variety of multimedia storytelling, from the written word to audio and video. I hope you are up for the journey. Join now.