Lauretta Hannon is the author of The Cracker Queen—A Memoir of a Jagged, Joyful Life and a commentator on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered, where her stories reach 25.5 million listeners. Since 2000 she has also been known for her Georgia Public Radio stories, many of which celebrate strong, authentic Southern women (Cracker Queens). Her memoir became a Southern Indie Bestseller three weeks after its release. In October 2009, Southern Living named Lauretta "the funniest woman in Georgia."

The Cracker Queen has received praise from literary legends such as Lee Smith. “I raced through this book—horrified, laughing out loud, and weeping by turns,” says Smith. “I say, let’s throw out all the self-help and inspirational books in the country, and put up The Cracker Queen displays instead! Hannon really made me think…”

Lauretta speaks frequently on the topic of women and leadership and is a graduate of the Women's Leadership Program at the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, NC. She is currently working on a spiritual memoir. She also gives seminars for writers through her Down Home Writing School and performs a one-woman show based on The Cracker Queen. You can learn more about Lauretta at thecrackerqueen.com.