"If you don't find yourself devouring this delicious book of stories by
Pamela King Cable, then you are not a Southern Fried Woman (or Man.)
After laughing and crying your way through this collection, you will
eagerly await new offerings from this talented writer!"
—Cassandra King, author of Making Waves, The Sunday Wife, and
Same Sweet Girls
“Pamela King Cable possesses a remarkable talent for writing and storytelling. Her eagerness and enthusiasm for her gift reach out to those of us lucky enough to share her world of imagination.
She has a presence of greatness and her words are mesmerizing,
thrilling and entertaining, leaving the reader hungry, and longing for more.
Pam is a magnificent talent and a true Southern belle with all the strength and graciousness associated with that title. Expect great things from this new literary giant.”
—Gail Cauble Gurley, author of Tales From the Sunroom, The Birdhouse, and
Red Dirt Tracks
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT
SOUTHERN FRIED WOMEN
"… Pamela King Cable is one of those infrequent writers who can bring reality to fictional characters so strong that you’d swear you had encountered them in your own life’s history. SOUTHERN FRIED WOMEN will leave the reader looking forward to more from this accomplished, imaginative, skilled, and entertaining author!"
—MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
"A rich collection of stories that explores humanity! Well-written and inspiring!
—USABOOKNEWS.COM - Southern Fried Women a finalist in Fiction and Literature: Short Story
"Cable does a good job portraying Southern women as strong, determined, and family oriented. Whether a Beach Baby or a Mobile Home Queen, the Southern woman is a survivor."
—FOREWARD MAGAZINE
" ... this particular book is too good to overlook! The stories are easy to read--compulsively readable, in fact--and they're set in the South, often in North Carolina. And, although the characters in this book face challenges, most of the stories have happy endings, leaving you with a good feeling. Enjoy this collection--and watch for more books by a new author on the Southern literary scene!"
—GREENSBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY
"This book is full of remarkable tales which are an extraordinary testament to love and happiness; life and death; guilt and innocence and faith and destiny. I admired each character and their strength as I laughed out-loud with Vernell Paskins, Mobile Home Queen; cried remembering an old friend in No Time For Laura, and said Go girls go! as I read Beach Babies. According to the author, ‘Southern Fried Women are born below the Mason Dixon line and range in age from sixteen to ninety-six. They are not only fried, they're burnt out on empty promises ... but when it's all said and done, she's any women brave enough to start over again.’ I absolutely fell in love with this book, found a new author to enjoy and will absolutely recommend it to my book club."
—Andra Tracy, Out Word Bound Books, Indianapolis, IN
"Reading Southern Fried Women makes me think of Tolstoy. What you and he have in common is an absolutely genuine feel for the history and region that you come from."
—Hannelore Hahn, Executive Director, International Women's Writing Guild, New York City
"I'm only up to page 62, but I'm already enjoying Southern Fried Women so much that I had to tell you. In fact, and you can bet that I very rarely say this, but your writing is excellent! I hope to share a small portion of VERNELL PASKINS' story as an example of distinctive voice when I speak on "Voice in Fiction" at the Mystery Writers of America conference in Chicago this weekend. ... It's great!"
—Chris Roerden, Book Editor and Author, Greensboro, NC
"I had to send you a note to tell you I'm halfway through Southern Fried Women. I'm reading it slowly on purpose because I don't want to get to the end - ever. Oh my God, I'm loving this book so much ... I do think you have brought dignity to plain country people in a way I haven't seen before. Faulkner would be jealous of what you've done ... I'm enjoying every single word, marking my favorite lines in the margins. God bless you, Vernell, Essie, and all the other characters you've brought to life."
—Jean Russell, Retired, Richmond, VA
“… your stories are so real to me that it’s hard to believe it’s fiction. I cannot even tell you my favorite, because I cried and laughed with all the stories. I truly believe you belong on the Bestseller List and at the top of Oprah’s Book Club …”
—Jacqueline J. Tracht, General Manager, Guilford Medical Supply, Greensboro, NC
“I just finished reading Southern Fried Women. The struggles, triumphs and laughter other women have lived went straight to my heart, touching me deeply as I recognized we share some of the same joys and burdens but with different backgrounds. The time-gone-by settings are familiar to some, new to others, delightful to read for all. These are full-bodied tales that leave you satisfied. A good read!”
—Arlene S. Bice, Freelance Writer and Author, Macon, NC
“… I just received my copy of Southern Fried Women in today’s mail and so far I’ve read ‘Punkin Head’ and ‘What is a Southern Fried Woman?’ I LOVE IT! I know this is the beginning and I’m so happy for you. Here’s to your prosperous and prolific career!”
—Elaine Ober, Former Owner of The Learned Owl Bookstore, Hudson, Ohio
“… I read into the night! I’ll be reading again tonight! I cried reading ‘No Time For Laura.’ I laughed until I cried reading ‘Vernell Paskins,’ and was blessed by her transformation. You sure do have the gift, girl. Your descriptions and phrases leap off the page and make the story come alive to me! ‘Punkin Head’ is so heartbreaking, but also shows a woman’s spirit and determination to overcome. I always knew you had it, but let me tell you that after reading these stories, I can see you becoming huge in the literary world!”
—Lillian Willard, Billing Manager, Winston-Salem Pediatrics, Winston-Salem, NC
“I love your book! This is my second purchase … I'm looking forward to your next book!”
—Linda Wagoner, Writer, Burlington, NC
“I was up half the night reading your short stories. As I read, I kept remembering something Dominick Abel, the literary agent, said when somebody asked him what five things he looked for in a manuscript. He said, 'Voice, voice, voice, voice, and character.' You have a unique and delightful voice, your characters practically step off the page, and you handle dialogue beautifully. Please don't ever let anybody tinker with the way you write--it's so wonderful! ... I think you're on the cusp of being a world-class author ... ”
—Blaize Clement, Author, FL
A history of bigotry in a local diner is uncovered in
“Pigment Of My Imagination,” as the owner defends
two young women and their right to be served;
“Vernell Paskins, Mobile Home Queen,” is a
woman who lives in the land of the doublewides and
works at the interstate flea market; “Cry” finds a
pregnant woman lost, alone, broken down on a deserted
road and in labor; an unexplained stranger arrives in
town after a women’s prayer group hears angels sing
during a violent coal mine strike in “Coal Dust
On My Feet;” in “Punkin Head,” one woman
struggles with the decision to keep her unborn baby,
as her husband's employer - a popular televangelist -
is opposed to having children; in “The Homestead,”
a dead woman reveals that death is not the end of
existence; a divorced woman discovers why her young
son despises their one-Sunday-a-month guest in
“Old Time Religion;” two “Beach Babies” shed
their cotton dusters for bathing suits, makeup, and
getting their fortunes told at Carolina Beach,
and grief shows up 30 years after a woman forgets
her best friend in “No Time For Laura.”
