Writer Wednesday: David Dow

Last week, I had the pleasure of speaking with David Dow--writer, law professor, defender, spouse and father.  In other words, a well rounded individual.  We spoke about his work defending death row inmates, as well as his book Autobiography of an Execution that came out in 2010. We also talk about preparing for death. It's a really interesting interview if I say so myself.

The Austin Book Festival

So, this weekend I ventured to Austin to attend the Austin Book Festival.  I went with the intention of meeting David Dow, who wrote "Autobiography of an Execution."  The reason? Mr. Dow was Khristian Oliver's last attorney.  I had corresponded with him briefly and wanted to meet him in person.  I also wanted to attend the lecture, which had three writers discussing their various books that happened to deal with execution.
There was Dow, whose book I'd read, Thomas Cahill (A Saint on Death Row) and Robert Elder (The Last Words of the Executed).  The discussion was fascinating, but much too short.  Oddly, I knew the moderator from a writing conference I attended in Ouray, CO.  It is such a small world.  I have posted a link to the lecture and I encourage you to view it.  Capital Punishment in America

I am in the audience and at one point, the camera focuses on my grimaced face.  I of course look at the camera.  So, that alone should compel you to watch!

I bought Cahill's book and just finished it.  It is a short, but very powerful book.  I highly recommend it.  It came out last year and is now available in paperback. 

Well, that's all the news that's fit for print.  I'm busy working on my manuscript and one day maybe my book will be on the shelves of your local bookstore.

20 Years of Defending Death Row Inmates

Interview with David Dow about his new book

Here's an NPR story about David Dow.  He was Khristian Oliver's lawyer at the end.  He talks about him a lot in this interview.