Michael Brantley

Michael K. Brantley is the author of Galvanized: The Unlikely Odyssey of a Reluctant Carolina Confederate (University of Nebraska Press/Potomac Books, 2020). This book is the extraordinary tale of a North Carolina farmer who fought for both sides in the Civil War, spent time in a horrific POW camp, walked halfway across the continent, and later became a Radical Republican before being involved in a bizarre murder.

His first book was a memoir about growing up in eastern North Carolina, entitled Memory Cards: Portraits from a Rural Journey (Black Rose, 2015).

More information about both books, and how to order can be found here.Michael started writing sports for local newspapers when he was 15 and after graduating from college, served as managing editor at two papers before going into business with his wife Kristi as professional photographers. He also worked as a freelancer for state, national, and regional magazines covering music, agriculture, sports, collectibles, and business. He earned his Master of Photography and his Craftsman degree from the Professional Photographers of America, and his Fellow of Photography from the Professional Photographers of North Carolina.

After running their studio for 18 years, he enrolled in graduate school, adding an MA in English from East Carolina University, and an MFA in Creative Writing from Queens University of Charlotte to go with a BS in Communications from Barton College.

In 2016, Michael was blessed to be the recipient of a liver transplant, and is an advocate for organ donor registration, Donate Life, and Carolina Donor Services.

Michael currently works as an Assistant Professor of Communications at Barton College. His interests include baseball, hockey, bluegrass music, American history, and folklore. He lives with his wife and children in rural Nash County, North Carolina.