Her stories were always rooted in history, which earned her a certificate of commendation from the American Association of State and Local History for her books on the Carolinas and Appalachia.

Nancy Roberts (1924-2008) was a popular Southern writer who frequently lectured on folklore and creative writing. She is the author of more than twenty books that together have sold more than a million copies. Roberts earned a degree in comparative literature from the University of North Carolina.