Cecil Bothwell

In my 30s I decided that if I was going to be a writer when I grew up, I'd best get started. For the past 20 years I have made my way as an investigative reporter, editor, critic, song writer, dramatist, poet, humorist, essayist, radio host and biographer. Along the way I have picked up a small handful of awards for investigative journalism, humorous commentary and criticism from the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies and the Society of Professional Journalists and walked away with first prize in the Southeast Poetry Slam due to a mathematical error on the part of the chief judge (it was actually a tie.) In November, 2009, I was elected to the Asheville City Council, based on a platform rooted in environmentalism, civil liberties, smart growth, and localism.