"The Earth Remains": Southern Woman Confronts Role in Slavery

SUNSET, S.C. - Nov. 22, 2021 - PRLog -- Shelley Burchfield's new historical fiction novel The Earth Remains (TouchPoint Press, November 16, 2021) tells the story of Polly Burgiss, a white Southern woman who, on the brink of the Civil War, must confront her traumatic past as well as her role in the institution of slavery.

Drawing from primary source documents and academic work on slavery in South Carolina, Burchfield sketches a vivid image of a time and place where the horror of slavery dominated the society and economy of the South. The twisty plot and vivid characters will keep readers engaged as they ponder Polly's moral dilemma. Says Burchfield, "I want the reader to imagine being in Polly's situation, to think about what the options might have been if the institution of slavery ensured your livelihood, but you also knew that it was horribly wrong." Highly relevant to contemporary dialogues of race and justice, The Earth Remains tells a powerful story that readers won't forget.

About the Book
In tumultuous 1860, South Carolina farmer Polly Burgiss struggles to protect both her land and the slaves who plant and tend her valuable cotton, while still reeling from the murder of her young brothers years before. This horrific crime has gone unsolved and unpunished—until now. When details of the brutal murder come to light, she must make decisions that will change not only her own life but the lives of every person on her farm.

With a strong sense of place, the story chronicles the intertwined lives of Polly and one of her slaves, a man named Ben. It spans generations and some of the state's most painful years, from the Civil War through its ugly aftermath. As Polly discovers unsettling truths about the evils of slavery, her revelations set in motion a monumental shift in her own small corner of the world—and far beyond.

The Earth Remains is available in eBook ($9.99) and trade paper ($24.99) from major retailers. Wholesale direct from TouchPoint Press and Ingram.

About Shelley Burchfield
Shelley Burchfield is a writer and former educator with deep southern roots. She enjoys writing "what-if" fiction that flips notorious events upside down. She lives in beautiful upstate South Carolina with her husband and a menagerie of animals and pulls inspiration from the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains beyond her windows.

About the Publisher
TouchPoint Press is a traditional publisher of fiction and nonfiction. Our staff is comprised of professionals whose collective experience in publishing, editing, journalism, design, and marketing set the stage behind our growing list of published titles. We are proud to work with talented authors and strive to be as innovative and energetic as possible from acquisitions to promotion before and after publication.

Contact
Jennifer Bond, TouchPoint Press Media Liason
info@touchpointpress.com