Laureen Cantwell and Leonard Gill

Laureen P. Cantwell grew up in eastern Long Island and eventually found her way to Memphis—“the rock ’n’ roll side of Tennessee.” She lived in Midtown for two years while working as a librarian at the University of Memphis and grew to love the darkness of the city—and Elvis.

Leonard Gill was born and raised in Memphis. He writes a book column and blog for the Memphis Flyer, the city’s alternative newsweekly, and spotlights local writers for a monthly book feature in Memphis magazine.