Tom Poland will entertain readership with tales from Across the Savannah

TOM POLAND

The Lincoln Journal is pleased to announce that home-grown author, Tom Poland, will enhance the local flavor of the paper by writing a weekly column titled "Across the Savannah."

The column will deal with just about anything and everything.

A resident of Irmo (Columbia), South Carolina, and a "Georgian at heart always," Poland has published five books and more than 400 magazine features in local, state, regional, and national publications. His subjects have ranged from art, travel, and recreation to medicine and technology.

In 1994, he won a GAMMA (Georgia Magazine Association Award) for "Best Feature Writing" in magazines with budgets of $750,000 or more.

Also during his career, the author taught at Columbia College, worked as a scriptwriter and cinematographer, served as the managing editor of "South Carolina Wildlife" magazine, wrote speeches for South Carolina governors and former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates, and was the chief editor of a global corporate magazine for seven years.

In addition, he has written marketing and advertising copy, winning Gold ADDYs and "Best of Show" awards for his work and concepts.

His non-fiction works include "A Just and Noble Cause," "Reflections of South Carolina," and "South Carolina: The Natural Heritage," with a foreword written by Atlanta native James Dickey, author of "Deliverance."

Last year, Poland reached another milestone when he published his first work of fiction, "Forbidden Island...An Island Called Sapelo." Filled with love, dark secrets, murder, betrayal, and unrivaled beauty, the book is centered around a do-or-die mission to save what is left of "family."

He calls the novel "one of the best things I ever did," explaining that the book changed his life.

It was James Dickey, who inspired him to write his first novel. "James Dickey urged me to write something other than the commercial stuff writers do to make a living, and I was eager to try. When he died in early 1997, I realized we all have just so much time, and I began the journey, so to speak."

With the publication of his first novel behind him, the author continues to work as a full-time, freelance writer for diverse clients. He likewise serves as an adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina's School of Journalism and Mass Communications and teaches courses in creative writing at Midlands Technical College in Columbia.

"My star student," said Poland, "was a quiet fellow named Glen Oeland - he was a religion major whom I took under my wing. Today, he's a features editor at 'National Geographic' magazine."

Along with writing and teaching, the Lincoln County native is also a member of the Midlands Bulldog Club and a thorn in the side of Gamecocks and Clemson Tigers alike.

"With a combined record against USC and Clemson of 85-31-6, it's fantastic to be a Georgia fan over here - you can't say much to a Bulldog," Poland exclaimed.

A 1967 graduate of LCHS, the writer earned a bachelor's degree in journalism in 1971 from the University of Georgia, followed by a master's degree in educational media in 1975. Between degrees, he taught in the Lincoln County School System for one year.

Poland is the son of Ruth Poland of Lincolnton and the late John Mitchell Poland.

His column appears on page 4.