Post Toast - November 2026

Shane Brown’s new book “A Place Called Tula” is a collection of short stories centering around community life in rural Mississippi. Brown, who works a day job at Brown Family Dairy, is the son of the late Mississippi literary icon Larry Brown. The book, published by Oxford’s Cofield Press, is available locally at Square Books.

Interviewed by Emily Welly  |  Photos by Deborah Freeland

Q: Locals know you as a dairyman and ice cream maker at Brown Family Dairy. How do you make or find time to write? When and where do you typically write?

A: It actually took a while to write this book. The first story in the book was written 12 years ago. But others were recent. I would find time to write late at night after milking cows, delivering milk or ice cream, and making ice cream. And, of course, after the baby was asleep in bed. Or my wife making the ice cream and putting the baby to bed and telling me to go write. And I wrote in my father’s writing room. He called it the Cool Pad.

Q: Do you have a personal favorite of the short stories in the book?

A: My favorite story is probably George. I’ve probably read it the most and worked the hardest on it. I know people like George.

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Q: Why do you think a small place like Tula has provided so much inspiration?

A: Tula brings plenty of inspirations, imaginations and, of course, experience through life growing up in and around Tula. My dad grew up in Tula, my grandmother lived in Tula, and we have a cabin in Tula. I think you know everyone in Tula. If not, it wouldn’t take you long to figure them out and know where they come from. It’s a pretty beautiful and peaceful place.

Q: You’ve been busy with the release of the book at author events and book signings. What is like to receive people who have read or are about to read your work?

A: I’ve loved hearing and receiving certain praises and things about the book. I was very nervous about it coming out into the public. I think I was nervous because of who my dad was. He’s a huge inspiration in my life. I didn’t want people thinking that I have a book out because of him. I know I’ll never be who he was, and that’s OK. No one will ever be him. It took a long time for me to realize that’s it’s OK to be Shane. And I’m OK with that.