hello.

I'm Glenda Richmond Slater

I’ve published poetry, short stories and a children’s play, and now I’m excited to announce the launch of Prickle Pod Hero, a middle-grade historical fiction book. I have a group of veggie poems soon to be published as a poetic cookbook for children.

I’ve loved writing and language all my life. My Ph.D. in speech-language pathology is from the University of Cincinnati; my B.A. in English, from the University of Alabama. I’ve taught speech communication at universities in different parts of the country, and worked as a speech therapist in various settings.

I grew up in Foley, Alabama, enjoying the beautiful beaches of Gulf Shores. Now I live in Spanish Fort, Alabama near Mobile Bay.

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"Punchy doesn't want to leave the Tree, either, but it's because he knows there's something up there—something different."
From Prickle Pod Hero, Chapter Two

About the Illustrator

David Philips is a professional artist living in Dallas, Texas.
To say that David started creating art at a young age would be a wild understatement, as the author of Prickle Pod Hero can tell you—Glenda Slater has known David since he was 7 years old in Memphis, Tennessee.  

David is a commissioned portrait painter and member of the Portrait Society of America, and his paintings and illustrations have appeared everywhere from art galleries to billboards and books. 

In addition to Prickle Pod Hero, I’ve also published the book Fooling Around With Shakespeare, a book of poems that take some liberties with The Bard—a fun and approachable way for new readers to discover William Shakespeare’s works.  

I’ve enjoyed readings and discussions at dozens of bookshops and reading clubs, as well as classrooms of all ages from young kids to high school creative writing students. My next events will be located in Iowa—if you’re interested, please use the Contact page to get in touch.

I’ve read and enjoyed so many books about the South, from serious classics like William Faulkner’s Light in August to family favorites like Sounder by William H. Armstrong. Here are some other works I’ve loved by southern authors: Alabama Moon, by Watt Key; Walking Across Egypt and Killer Diller, both by Clyde Edgerton; Seven Laurels, by Linda Busby Parker; and Cold Sassy Tree, by Olive Ann Burns.