Raymond W. Copson

Ray and Donna, his wife, conducted research for Benediction in Mobile, Savannah, the Carolinas, and Baltimore, as well as in western New York. The novel was influenced by Ray's experiences living in Kenya and Nigeria, and by his travels around Africa, including visits to the slave forts in Ghana and to Goree Island, Senegal. Readers can find a detailed discussion of all the sources that lie behind Benediction at Ray's author blog, raycopson.com. Though not a re-enactor, Ray once channeled Bruen Cooley, a Yates County Civil War veteran, during a cemetery tour, and has participated in many other Civil War-related events.