Van Temple writes dark, lyrical fiction laced with grit, wit, mystery, and a deep sense of justice. A lifelong activist and community organizer turned storyteller, Van draws from 43 years spent navigating the trenches of city government and nonprofit work across six U.S. states. His Southern roots and sharp observational eye shape stories that don’t flinch. Van Temple was born and raised in Ruston, Louisiana, and graduated from Louisiana Tech University.  He’s a runner, remodeler, and relentless advocate for peace, equity, and, occasionally, better punctuation. Expect slow burns, hard truths, and twist and turns in every tale.