Biography
David Joy was born Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1983. Handed a rod and reel as a toddler, David's passion for fishing has been the guiding light throughout his life. His mother says that he wrote stories before he could spell, asking her to spell out his five-year-old diction.
Since then, writing and fishing have been the two biggest influences in his life. Growing Gills: A Fly Fisherman's Journey, David's first memoir, is a culmination of those loves.
David moved to Cullowhee, North Carolina in 2003 to study English at Western Carolina University. He received a BA in Literature in 2007 and an MA in Professional Writing in 2009. David finished Growing Gills as a graduate student, and published three creative nonfiction essays by the time he received his degree. He received the 2009 Outstanding Scholar Award for his graduate work, and later received the inaugural Karen Nicholson Best Thesis Award, bringing his academic career to a close. For a full curriculum vitae click here.
David is the author of Growing Gills: A Fly Fisherman's Journey, his first memoir was released in September 2011. His writing has appeared in multiple magazines and journals including Smoky Mountain Living, Wilderness House Literary Review, and Bird Watcher's Digest. He recently finished his second book of creative nonfiction, a memoir titled, Ruth: A Beautiful Dismantling.
Remaining in Jackson County after obtaining his MA, David currently serves as the staff writer for the Crossroads Chronicle in Cashiers, North Carolina. His objective journalism, environmental musings, and weekly fishing report have brought a new voice to Jackson County.
David currently lives in Glenville and plans to remain in the area with the rich culture and landscape of Appalachia serving as the driving force behind his creative ventures.
To find out more about David visit Blair Publishing by clicking here.