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DJ Lyons earned her masters degree with a specialization in storytelling from East Tennessee State University in 1989. She has been a professional storyteller and writer ever since.
To make a very long story short, the storytelling professor requested that DJ research and write the story of the Bell Witch for a Halloween exclusive entitled “Special 1990 Halloween Edition: Appalachian Ghostlore.” DJ wrote the story from the point-of-view of Betsy Bell, the teenage daughter. DJ refused to perform the story at the ETSU Halloween Storyfest as she found the story way too depressing.
Three years later, a Knoxville, Tennessee, high school art teacher hired DJ to tell scary stories at her school. This very insistent teacher wanted DJ to tell the story of the Tennessee Bell Witch. Initially, DJ refused. Then a whole series of events transpired that literally changed the whole course of DJ’s life. The end result? Not only did DJ perform the story of the Bell Witch at this high school in late October of 1993, she spent the next two years of her life researching and writing this book called “The Bell Witch Unveiled At Last! The True Story Of A Poltergeist.” Her goal? She wishes to empower the reader, alleviate superstition and fear, and to bring light to a story that has been shrouded in fear and mystery for far too long. Happy Reading!
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One Woman Theatre Piece:
The Bell Witch Unveiled At Last! |
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Past Performances:
10-28-1993 Central High School, Knoxville, TN
10-31-1993 Lightworks, Bristol, TN
10-27-96 TarSide Tales, Rocky Mount Storytelling Festival, NC
4-29-1997 Cheatham County Public Library, Ashland City, TN
5-01-1997 Gorham-MacBane Public Library, Springfield, TN
5-15-1997 Elmer Hinton Memorial Public Library, Portland, TN *
11-07-1997 Zephyr, Knoxville, TN
5-07-1999 Green Spring Tales in the Cemetery, Greeneville, TN
* Press Release Link: http://www.publishedauthors.net/dj_lyons/ar.html
* New Press Release Link: http://www.bellwitchunveiled.com/Press_Release.html
DJ Lyons is available for
book-signings and performance bookings.
2008 "Bell Witch Unveiled" Performances:
June 14, 2008: Folk Life Tent at Louie Bluie Music & Arts Festival in Caryville, Tennessee. Show times at 2:30-3:20 and again at 6:00-6:50.
* New Press Release Link: http://www.bellwitchunveiled.com/Press_Release_2.html
July 12, 2008: Maury County Public Library in Columbia, Tennessee. Show times 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. includes question and answer session plus book signings.
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Researched the Relevants Facts of this story in 4 States:
October 1993 - Bell Witch Cave in Adams, TN
November 1993- Gorham-MacBane Public Library in Springfield, TN
November 1993 - Courthouse Archives in Springfield, TN
November 1993 - Met with 3 direct descendants of Cate & Frederick Batts
January 1994- Gorham-MacBane Public Library in Springfield, TN
March 1994- Courthouse & Library in Raleigh, North Carolina
March 1994- Courthouse & Library in Rocky Mount, North Carolina
March 1994- Courthouse & Library in Surry County, Virginia
June 1994- Courthouse & Library in Spartanburg, South Carolina
July 1994- Gorham-MacBane Public Library in Springfield, TN
July 1994- Bell Witch Cave in Adams, TN
8-14-94 - Finished Draft 1 of Book
10-22-94 - Finished Draft 2 of Book
...
12-01-94 - Finished Draft 5 of Book
8-20-1999 - Interviewed by author Pamela Petra for her future book
The Interview was featured in Pamela Petra's 2002 book called SITTING UP WITH THE DEAD: A STORIES JOURNEY THORUGH THE AMERICAN SOUTH, pages 341-349
October 2007 - Finished Final Draft of Book and submitted book to PublishAmerica. Accepted for publication on Halloween Day.
Early March 2008 - Book will be available for purchase
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