Picture a North Carolina storyteller who spun her childhood fascination with tobacco country into a literary gem—meet Adele Myers! With her debut novel, The Tobacco Wives, Myers weaves a vivid tale of courage and corporate secrets set in 1946, drawing readers into a world of glamorous gowns and hidden truths. A master of historical fiction, she balances a thriving advertising career with her passion for storytelling, crafting narratives that resonate with heart and grit.
Born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina, Myers’s roots run deep in the South, where tobacco fields and family stories shaped her imagination. Her journey from journalist to novelist is a testament to persistence, transforming personal history into a powerful debut that’s both timeless and timely.
The Making of Adele Myers
Growing up in Asheville, Adele Myers was captivated by her grandmother’s tales of the 'tobacco wives'—the glamorous spouses of Winston-Salem’s tobacco magnates. With a journalism degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Myers honed her storytelling skills in the fast-paced world of advertising. Now living in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband, son, and rescue dog Chipper, she channels her Southern heritage into fiction that blends vivid settings with sharp social commentary. Her path to publishing wasn’t easy—years of rejections and revisions shaped her debut, proving her dedication to her craft.
Adele Myers’s Unforgettable Stories
Myers’s debut, The Tobacco Wives, is a historical fiction triumph set in the fictional Bright Leaf, North Carolina, a stand-in for Winston-Salem. The novel follows Maddie Sykes, a young seamstress who uncovers dark secrets about the tobacco industry’s impact on women’s health. Praised for its lush prose and feminist themes, the book explores corporate deceit and female solidarity in the post-WWII era. Critics like Lisa Wingate call it 'a beautifully rendered portrait of a young woman finding her courage.' Its immersive 1940s setting, complete with opulent dresses and smoky intrigue, draws readers into a world of both glamour and grit.
Myers’s upcoming novel, The Belle Haven Home for Girls, promises to continue her focus on strong women overcoming adversity. Inspired by a little-known Southern coverup, it’s poised to captivate with its blend of historical depth and emotional resonance. Her writing style—rich in detail, character-driven, and unflinchingly honest—tackles themes of truth, resilience, and the power of knowledge. Myers’s ability to weave personal and historical narratives makes her work both intimate and universal, appealing to fans of authors like Fiona Davis and Lisa Wingate.
Why Adele Myers Matters
Adele Myers’s impact lies in her ability to illuminate overlooked histories, particularly the role of women in challenging corporate greed. The Tobacco Wives sheds light on the tobacco industry’s deceptive practices, resonating with modern discussions about accountability and activism. Her focus on female resilience inspires readers to confront uncomfortable truths and find strength in adversity. As a debut novelist, Myers has already earned accolades from outlets like USA Today and Cosmopolitan, marking her as a rising star in historical fiction.
Her work also celebrates the power of storytelling to preserve family legacies. By mining her grandmother’s experiences, Myers connects readers to a vibrant slice of Southern history, making the past feel alive and relevant. Her growing fanbase eagerly awaits her next release, a sign of her lasting influence.
- Birthplace: Asheville, North Carolina
- Key Work: The Tobacco Wives (2022)
- Upcoming: The Belle Haven Home for Girls
- Notable Recognition: Named one of the best historical fiction books of 2022 by Cosmopolitan
Ready to step into a world of Southern glamour and fearless women? Snag The Tobacco Wives and dive into Adele Myers’s captivating historical fiction!