Simpson is the author of seven books on eastern North Carolina, including his most recent, The Coasts of Carolina: Seaside to Sound Country, which was published by UNC Press in November 2010.

He visited the Roanoke Canal Museum in July during production of Moving North Carolina, a public television documentary on the state’s history of transportation that will air later this year or in early 2014. The Elizabeth City native will host the presentation.

A professor of English and creative writing, Simpson has been an instructor in UNC’s Creative Writing Program since 1982.

In 2004, the university gave him a Tanner Faculty Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, one of four awards he has received in his profession.

He has also garnered numerous accolades for his writing, including the North Carolina Award for Extraordinary Contributions to the Literature, Music and Culture of North Carolina by the North Caroliniana Society in May 2010.

Since 1986, Simpson has been a member of the Tony Award-winning band The Red Clay Ramblers, which have toured throughout North America, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe.

The lecture is scheduled from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and admission is $5.

Seats can be reserved in advance by phone at (252) 537-2769 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..