More than most biographical novels, Haygood’s Rock builds its plot, scenes, and dialogues on a rich body of documentation—from a massive collection of printed information in private and public archives to personal letters and legacies. In the writing of Haygood’s Rock, William Shaker—(raised by his grandmother Lollie, the daughter of Atticus Haygood)—contributed unique insights from family lore, a library of Haygood books and documentation, and a firm determination that every scene or conversation in the book represent the authentic voice of Atticus Haygood (and his historical peers) and portray factual events and episodes in their lives.
William Shaker has dedicated years of intense research into the world of his great-grandfather, making this unique novel possible. He also edited the Silver Bowl edition of Haygood’s Our Brother in Black (DeWard Publishing), and the millennium edition of Haygood’s Man of Galilee.
Judith Ann Johnson fashions the story of Atticus Haygood into a biographical novel rich in details and dialogue true to its historical setting.
Besides her strong background in print media (writing for newspapers and editing journals), Johnson holds a doctorate in Religion focused on cultural/ethnic and women’s studies—giving her the scholarly background to interpret the religious and ideological world of Haygood.
to B.S., University of Southern California, M.S. University of Michigan, Registered Professional Engineer.
Johnson’s credentials include a Ph.D from Claremont (CA) Graduate University and a Shubert Foundation Playwriting Fellowship. She holds a faculty position in Feminist Theology at Global Ministries University (CA) and is a Phi Beta Kappa and Delta Phi Lambda (national creative writing society) scholar.
As CEO of Washington Marketing Group—a ghost writing and fundraising agency—Shaker has authored persuasive technical works, such as Electric Power Reform (University of Michigan press) and The Consumer’s Guidebook to Health Care Reform, which went on to print more than a million copies.