Jeffrey Dale Lofton

Jeffrey Dale Lofton

Presents His

Debut

Novel

The coming-of-age story of Philbet, a gay, physically misshapen boy in rural Georgia, who battles bullying, ignorance, and disdain as he makes his way in life as an outsider – before finding acceptance in unlikely places.  

Jeffrey Dale Lofton

Presents His

Debut

Novel

The coming-of-age story of Philbet, a gay, physically misshapen boy in rural Georgia, who battles bullying, ignorance, and disdain as he makes his way in life as an outsider – before finding acceptance in unlikely places.  

June 2nd!!

Jeffrey in conversation with

Byron Lane

at the Best Bookstore, Palm Springs, CA

The Reviews Are In!

“The South kicks its feet up and gets down to business telling this tale through the lens of Philbet, a young boy growing up sweet, gay, disfigured, and defying social norms. The grace he extends toward his … often cruel beloved makes him an endearing and poetic narrator. This story poked at all the tender spots inside me and reminded me of what was real and important and wisely dusted off for daily use from those growing up days.”  

Kimberly Brock


author, The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare

The South kicks its feet up and gets down to business telling this tale through the lens of Philbet, a young boy growing up sweet, gay, disfigured, and defying social norms. The grace he extends toward his ... often cruel beloved makes him an endearing and poetic narrator. This story poked at all the tender spots inside me and reminded me of what was real and important and wisely dusted off for daily use from those growing up days.

Kimberly Brock author, The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare

"Fabulous and heart-wrenching debut novel."

Rasheed Newson author, My Government Means to Kill Me

You can't help but root for Philbet, the unforgettable hero of Jeffrey Dale Lofton's arresting debut Red Clay Suzie. I was moved by the insights and settings of this book and by the vivid depiction of a unique childhood that feels universal in its longing.

Christopher Castellani author, Leading Men

If you've never set foot on the red-clay soil of Georgia, the heartfelt prose of Jeffrey Dale Lofton's Red Clay Suzie will take you there. This book is an intimate exploration of people, place, and identity, one that through its honesty - as well as colorful language and vivid description - opens up the idea of the South into one that is more inclusive and real.

W. Ralph Eubanks author, A Place Like Mississippi: A Journey Through a Real and Imagined Literary Landscape

From a new, pitch-perfect, Southern voice, a story so close to the heart you can almost hear it beating.

James Hart author, Lucky Jim

Red Clay Suzie’s Philbet Lawson joins Scout Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird) and Frankie Addams (The Member of the Wedding) in Southern literature’s pantheon of outsider children. Read Red Clay Suzie and cheer on Philbet, a new literary hero.

Alice Powers writer and editor, In Mind series

This is much more than a deeply moving story well told by a unique, new voice in Southern literature. It is a lyrical, poetic, and layered work of highest literary art. Red Clay Suzie belongs in the high school English syllabus.

Elaine Greenstone educator, former International Baccalaureate examiner in English, curriculum specialist

    "Fabulous and heart-wrenching debut novel."

    Rasheed Newson author, My Government Means to Kill Me

    You can't help but root for Philbet, the unforgettable hero of Jeffrey Dale Lofton's arresting debut Red Clay Suzie. I was moved by the insights and settings of this book and by the vivid depiction of a unique childhood that feels universal in its longing.

    Christopher Castellani author, Leading Men

    If you've never set foot on the red-clay soil of Georgia, the heartfelt prose of Jeffrey Dale Lofton's Red Clay Suzie will take you there. This book is an intimate exploration of people, place, and identity, one that through its honesty - as well as colorful language and vivid description - opens up the idea of the South into one that is more inclusive and real.

    W. Ralph Eubanks author, A Place Like Mississippi: A Journey Through a Real and Imagined Literary Landscape

    From a new, pitch-perfect, Southern voice, a story so close to the heart you can almost hear it beating.

    James Hart author, Lucky Jim

    Red Clay Suzie’s Philbet Lawson joins Scout Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird) and Frankie Addams (The Member of the Wedding) in Southern literature’s pantheon of outsider children. Read Red Clay Suzie and cheer on Philbet, a new literary hero.

    Alice Powers writer and editor, In Mind series

    This is much more than a deeply moving story well told by a unique, new voice in Southern literature. It is a lyrical, poetic, and layered work of highest literary art. Red Clay Suzie belongs in the high school English syllabus.

    Elaine Greenstone educator, former International Baccalaureate examiner in English, curriculum specialist

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      A portion of all book proceeds are donated to the
      Born This Way Foundation and the The Trevor Project.

      “When moist, it had the texture of silken butter, but when the beating Georgia sun leached it of moisture, it was either hard or powdery, slippery even in the heat, feeling almost liquid against skin. That was the alchemy of red clay.”

      “When moist, it had the texture of silken butter, but when the beating Georgia sun leached it of moisture, it was either hard or powdery, slippery even in the heat, feeling almost liquid against skin. That was the alchemy of red clay.”

      "The only way was to caress their painted skin, running my finger along the curve of a chromed bumper or the loop of a door handle, letting the car know that I wanted to give it the gift of my cool hand during a Georgia-hot summer afternoon."

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      About Jeffrey

      Jeffrey Dale Lofton hails from Warm Springs, Georgia, but calls the nation’s capital home now. He came to Washington for an acting job and stayed, spending many a night trodding the boards of DC’s theaters and performing arts centers. He even scored a few television screen appearances, including a residuals-rich Super Bowl halftime commercial, which his accountant quipped “is the finest work of your career.”

      Ultimately he stepped away from acting, keen to use his stage-and-screen-performer’s deep understanding of the art of storytelling in a different way. Soon, he was providing communications counsel to some of the nation’s leading landscape architects, as together they described the wonders of a garden well-planned. Next, he worked closely with military veterans, helping them tell their stories of war-torn life in service to their country. Today, he is a senior advisor at the Library of Congress, surrounded by books and people who love books—in short, paradise.

      Connect with
      Jeffrey Dale Lofton

      Follow the author of Red Clay Suzie around the nation as he appears at Indie bookstores, book fairs, on podcasts, and discussion panels.  Where will Jeffrey be next?!?

      Events, Signings, Readings & Interviews