"Dream Warrior" Author Dr. Melvin Donalson on the Sunbury Press Books Show Artwork

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Three different shows. One common theme: celebrating the world of books.This podcast network is for readers and writers interested in hearing about awesome new books spanning a wide variety of different genres. Whether you’re hoping to get to know a new author or are in need of some practical writing tips, the BookSpeak Network has you covered.~The first program in the BookSpeak Network is the Sunbury Press Books Show. Hosted by the CEO of indie publisher Sunbury Press Lawrence Knorr, this show consists largely of interviews between the publisher and the authors he takes on at Sunbury Press. Knorr interviews both fiction and nonfiction authors and covers a range of topics from history, sports, biography, and more. This show may air 1-4 times per month.~The second program is called Milford House Mysteries, hosted by mystery and thriller authors Sherry Knowlton and JM (Jody) West. Sherry and JM often discuss the process of writing and publishing mysteries as well as doing interviews with some of the genre’s top authors. Milford House Mysteries hits the airwaves about two times per month. ~Finally, it’s the Brown Posey Press Show! Author Tory Gates interviews authors in the literary fiction and nonfiction genres, and he’s got a special connection with indie presses and indie authors. If you’re in the mood for a deep dive into art and uniqueness in literature, you’re going to find something to love in these conversations. ~Looking for author interviews and writing tips? Go ahead and hit that subscribe button. You’ve got some listening to do.

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"Dream Warrior" Author Dr. Melvin Donalson on the Sunbury Press Books Show

January 16, 2026

0:00 | 31:02

Dr. Melvin Donalson's journey from the American South of the 1950s, across the US and the world, is a remarkable tale of finding oneself. Dream Warrior: Passages of a Creative Scholar reveals a Black man's artistic and educational journey.

Speaking with Sunbury Press Books Show host Lawrence Knorr, Donalson discusses the difficulties of racism and prejudice in his native Georgia and early life in Florida. Replanted within the integrated world of Massachusetts and Maine in the 1960s and 70s, and later to the Midwest and Los Angeles, Donalson's imagination was fueled by reading, music, and film. Earning his undergraduate degree at Bates College, Donalson earned his Master's from the University of Iowa. His educational experience culminated in a Ph.D. from Brown University.

Donalson's travels took him to Europe and South Africa, as experiences shaped his journey as both a creative and a scholar. He eventually landed in Los Angeles, where he continued his work as a writer, filmmaker, and Black scholar. You can find out more about this groundbreaking work here.