04 Aug August Artisans of the Month: Authors Greg Lilly and Glen Thomason

Celebrating Storytellers of Southwest Virginia: Authors Greg Lilly and Glen Thomason

In the heart of Southwest Virginia, storytelling is more than just a tradition, it’s a way of life. At ‘Round the Mountain Artisan Network, we’re proud to spotlight two local authors who are using the written word to preserve regional identity, inspire young minds, and connect readers to place and purpose. Meet Greg Lilly and Glen Thomason, two unique voices with deep Appalachian roots and stories to share.

Greg Lilly: From Technical Writing to True Crime

Greg Lilly grew up just outside the city limits of Bristol in Washington County, Virginia. Though his academic path leaned into science and technology, (with a major in Information Technology from Virginia Tech) Greg always felt a pull toward creative expression. He balanced his technical focus with a literature minor, a combination that would quietly plant the seeds for his future as a writer.

Greg’s early professional writing took the form of technical manuals, dry by nature, until he began adding characters, conflict, and storylines to make the content more engaging. The creative spark caught fire. With encouragement from a boss (after a particularly dramatic manual), Greg joined a Charlotte-based critique group, started winning literary contests, and eventually published his first novel in 2004.

Greg’s work is deeply rooted in place, drawing from the landscapes, conversations, and cultural textures of the Appalachian region. Influenced by literary greats like Flannery O’Connor, Bobbie Ann Mason, and Truman Capote, Greg weaves complexity, mystery, and a strong sense of setting into both his fiction and nonfiction, including a current focus on true crime.

For Greg, writing is a form of empathy, of stepping into someone else’s experience and shaping words like clay to share new perspectives. His stories, much like the Blue Ridge Mountains themselves, are layered, enduring, and full of quiet power.

Glen Thomason: Storytelling from the Coalfields

Glen Thomason’s journey to becoming a children’s author began long before the first book hit the shelves. Growing up in the coalfields, Glen spent his days exploring the mountains with his loyal border collie Duke, experiences that would later inspire the “Duke Stories” he told his three daughters at bedtime.

A self-described creative spirit, Glen has worn many hats over the years: journalist, photographer, coalfield worker, and insurance professional. But it was in retirement, at the encouragement of his daughters, that Glen finally turned those beloved bedtime tales into a published book series. Now, with six books in the Duke series, Glen is captivating young readers across the region.

What makes Glen’s work special is its authenticity. The Duke stories are based on true events, written exactly as they were told, and grounded in real places from Glen’s childhood. He even begins each book with the same image, him sitting on the bed with his daughters, telling stories, capturing the warmth and intimacy of family storytelling.

Thanks to the support of his wife Sherry, a first-grade teacher, Glen began sharing the stories in classrooms. Watching students laugh and connect with the characters affirmed his calling. Today, he travels to schools and libraries, bringing Duke’s world to life with memorabilia and heartfelt tales that resonate with children and adults alike.

Preserving Place Through Story

Greg Lilly and Glen Thomason represent two ends of the literary spectrum; true crime and children’s books, but they share something vital in common: a deep connection to Southwest Virginia and a passion for storytelling that reflects the spirit of the region.

Whether it’s through a gripping novel set in the hills or a heartwarming tale of a boy and his dog, these authors remind us of the power stories have to build community, stir imagination, and honor the places we call home.

You can explore more about Greg and Glen, by visiting their profiles at Round the Mountain. Their stories are part of what makes our region truly extraordinary.