Southerners are known to be great storytellers.

Their tales take many forms from poetry to music to full fledged bound books. The oral ramblings of Jerry Clower’s Delta upbringing to the honky tonk lathered lyrics of B.B. King, the south and it’s culture, mystery and uniqueness are immortalized. But, through the written word of William Alexander Percy, William Faulkner, Shelby Foote, John Grisham, Eudora Welty, countless others have cultivated Southern themed fiction and non-fiction from everyday life and entwined stories that keep us fixated upon each turning page.

Our mission at Thomas Book Publishing, is to continue telling the wonderful stories of Southern writers. Located in the heart of the Mississippi Delta in Cleveland, our goal is to promote the heritage of the South and it’s history through publishing fiction and non-fiction works.

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MCCARTYS OF MERIGOLD, MISSISSIPPI - THE JEWELRY- $85.00

Thomas Book Publishing of Cleveland, Mississippi, released its newest book, McCartys of Merigold, Mississippi - The Jewelry, by John Ramsey Miller in November of 2023. The book showcases the jewelry of the late Mississippi artists, Lee and Pup McCarty of Merigold. 

Years before Pup and Lee established the world famous McCartys Pottery, they created jewelry. The pieces they created run from the intricate to the very simple. 

The 124 page coffee table book isolates and spotlights the art of these jewelry makers. Author, John Ramsey Miller has captured the beauty of the jewelry they produced from 1948-2015. Miller spent eight months photographing the jewelry and writing the text of this volume, which follows the book Miller produced on the pottery of the McCartys in 2016 that was created over the course of their remarkable career. 

Miller had a close relationship with the couple that began in the 1970s and continued until the death of Lee. 

“Over the years, I watched the McCartys create magnificent jewelry using a wide range of materials including wood, ivory, enameling on copper, ebony, iron, pearls, gold, sterling, brass and copper,” said Miller. “They often combined river rocks with gold or copper. They made a lot of jewelry and the demand always outstripped the number of pieces they could make.” 

Miller photographed the McCartys personal collection of jewelry pieces as well as pieces belonging to collectors and friends of the McCartys.  “We are proud of the book John created,” said Stephen Smith, Pup and Lee’s Godchild, who along with his brother, Jamie Smith are continuing the traditions of the McCartys.  “The book is itself a work of art featuring the jewelry art of Lee and Pup,” said Jamie Smith. “The photography shows the pieces in a way that isolates and celebrates each piece he staged for his cameras.”  McCartys of Merigold, Mississippi - The Jewelry is available at the studio in Merigold as well as in bookstores around the state.  For more information visit, www.mccartyspottery.com or call the studio at 662-748-2293. 

MCCARTY'S OF MERIGOLD, MISSISSIPPI THE POTTERY- $100.00

CURRENTLY OUT OF STOCK.

This first edition was published in November, 2016. MCCARTYS OF MERIGOLD, MISSISSIPPI: THE POTTERY is about two people from different backgrounds who fell in love, and almost by accident discovered their calling. For sixty four years they amassed a body of creative work whose quality, aesthetics, diversity, and volume is staggering. For more information on how to purchase a copy, visit www.mccartyspottery.com or call the McCarty studio at 662-748-2293. 

A DELTA MAGAZINE CHRISTMAS: CELEBRATING THE WARMTH AND WONDER OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON- $20.00

Part seasonal cookbook, part beautiful coffee table book, A Delta Magazine Christmas: Celebrating the Warmth and Wonder of the Holiday Season highlights the best of the inspiring season from Thanksgiving through New Year's. Visually stunning with interior, landscape and food photography, this gorgeous hardbound book provides an authentic taste of a Delta-style Christmas.