| Jimmy taught English, Public Speaking, Journalism,
Yearbook and Photography for twelve years at White Hall High School
in White Hall, Arkansas. He served as president of his local
professional association (WHEA) on three different occasions and
worked as faculty liaison to the administration and board for six
years. At the same time he managed swimming pools for local
country clubs in the area and taught senior life saving.
During a fit of temporary insanity, he left the teaching profession
in 1981 and moved to Los Angeles, California, where he and his wife
took positions with IBM. He supervised IBM's major
studio account set for the next six years and worked closely with
MGM, 20th Century Fox, Orion, William Morris Agency and other well
known entertainment giants. He returned to his home state in 1987
taking a position with the City of Little Rock. In 1992 IBM's
instability required moves from Little Rock to Kansas City and a
year later to Dallas. When desperate for cash, he still
occasionally does contract work for Big Blue. He served as
President of the DFW Writers' Workshop for two terms (2000 and
2001). He reads for in-depth critique
at every meeting.
Jimmy earned his Bachelor of Science in Education Degree from
Henderson State University in spite of the efforts of several aged
professors. He performed additional post-graduate studies at the
University of Arkansas at Little Rock. IBM graciously supplied him
with an extensive business administration and management education,
along with an opportunity to stand around sound stages for five
years and watch gifted people work.
Jimmy acquired a love of golf in the early 1970s. He plays
when the Texas heat isn't such that armadillos roll over and fry in
their own juices. Fencing and shooting round out the sports he still
actively pursues, but travel remains his fondest pastime, and he
loves the French, whether they like him or not.
Jimmy married in 1966. His wife, Carol, actively supports his
writing with advice, criticism, bookkeeping, budgeting,
encouragement and tender loving care. Her weekend job as a
pulpwood cutter and logger make his writing possible. Prize money
she wins bulldogging steers at local rodeos also helps.
Works as a writer. LAWDOG, Jimmy's first novel
from Berkley Books debuted in November 2001 and has since been
followed by HELL IN THE NATIONS, THE BROTHERHOOD OF BLOOD, A BAD DAY TO DIE,
and BAD BLOOD. Next from Berkley is a western
tentatively titled "AMBUSHED". Magazine and short works
include features for True West, New American Review and Western
Writers of America's Roundup Magazine. Nonfiction works are titled
TEXAS BAD GIRLS-HUSSIES, HARLOTS AND HORSE THIEVES and TEXAS
BAD BOYS-GAMBLERS, GUNMEN AND GRIFTERS.
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