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Betsy Phillips @betsyphillips.bsky.social · 22h

Right?! An adult man told me he grew up reading me and I am still equal parts flattered and appalled.

Betsy Phillips @betsyphillips.bsky.social · 1d

Challenge them to a duel!

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Betsy Phillips @betsyphillips.bsky.social · 1d

Yes! Are you going to the Southern Festival of Books on the 18th or 19th? I could have it in the booth for you.

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Betsy Phillips @betsyphillips.bsky.social · 1d

So, this is like Christmas for me! I am justified in holding on to them because a family member has emerged.

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Betsy Phillips @betsyphillips.bsky.social · 1d

Oh, no! This is at my actual job at Vanderbilt University Press. I found these copies years ago in the back of a closet and held onto them because it's either the first book or one of the first books the press published and, since they're in named boxes, I always hoped someone would come looking.

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Betsy Phillips @betsyphillips.bsky.social · 1d

See the middle name.

The copies of this old book set aside, but never delivered.

Betsy Phillips @betsyphillips.bsky.social · 1d

Um, so weird, but true fact. I have his author copy. Does the family want it?

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Betsy Phillips @betsyphillips.bsky.social · 1d

Oh! Also nice!

www.nashvillescene.com/bon/2025/med...

Best Columnist

Second Place: Holly McCall

www.nashvillescene.com

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Betsy Phillips @betsyphillips.bsky.social · 1d

That’s part of why I think she’s our best historian. She does her own work and has worked so hard to put a framework in place that ensures other historians can do their work here. That kind of labor is mostly invisible, but it matters so much.

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Betsy Phillips @betsyphillips.bsky.social · 1d

There’s nothing better than being in a position to say “This person is awesome” and having people believe you.

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Betsy Phillips @betsyphillips.bsky.social · 1d

I especially love the photo.

www.nashvillescene.com/bon/2025/peo...

Best Historian

Linda Wynn — the Tennessee Historical Commission’s assistant director for state programs — is a historian’s historian. Not only is her own work impeccable, she’s also responsible for a lot

www.nashvillescene.com

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Betsy Phillips @betsyphillips.bsky.social · 2d

I’m very curious what you’ll make of it. I just find it really hard to believe this was a one off.

Betsy Phillips @betsyphillips.bsky.social · 2d

Her name was Marie Jeanette Price. The papers say she was 16, but she was 14.

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Betsy Phillips @betsyphillips.bsky.social · 3d

But when they went to his house, he had pictures of lots of naked women/girls, including the one we know he murdered, so it sure would have been nice if they'd figured out who the other women were and if they were safe.

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Betsy Phillips @betsyphillips.bsky.social · 3d

was the same type. Then he was all "I did kill her, but I swear she was half of the people I've killed and you already know about the other one."

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Betsy Phillips @betsyphillips.bsky.social · 3d

This little girl's rape and murder did get solved, because the killer hadn't bothered to wash his hands after he returned to her corpse to keep playing with it, and the police were able to use the newfangled technology of "blood typing" to prove that the blood under his fingernails and her blood

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Betsy Phillips @betsyphillips.bsky.social · 3d

The amount of little girls Nashville has just let get raped and murdered and then never solved their cases is kind of bracing.

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Betsy Phillips @betsyphillips.bsky.social · 3d

we're looking at a serial killer who just mostly picked victims the police couldn't be bothered with, but it would mean sending her the details.

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Betsy Phillips @betsyphillips.bsky.social · 3d

In trying to decide if a certain headstone was carved by William Edmondson, I learned about the murder of the headstone-haver's daughter and every detail is so horrific I can't stand it.

I want to ask @notrightolivia.bsky.social if she thinks it's possible that was only dude's second murder or if

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Betsy Phillips @betsyphillips.bsky.social · 3d

“Exploratory Pits” is the name of my jam band.

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Betsy Phillips @betsyphillips.bsky.social · 4d

You all are welcome. In my defense, it was, like 500 automated emails that needed to go.

Betsy Phillips @betsyphillips.bsky.social · 4d

I deleted so many emails that I seem to have broken Outlook.

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Reposted by Betsy Phillips

Margaret Renkl @margaretrenkl.bsky.social · 4d

We did this. Turns out we ALL know how to save a book festival. And we just have to keep saving them, and saving everything else, for as long as it takes. For every single minute it takes. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/06/o...

Opinion | What Ann Patchett Knows About Saving Book Festivals

www.nytimes.com

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Betsy Phillips @betsyphillips.bsky.social · 4d

If anyone needs me, I'll be out forming exploratory pits in various parking lots.

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Reposted by Betsy Phillips

Nashville Scene @nashvillescene.com · 4d

Many times throughout American history, those in power have terrorized and destroyed parts of the country. Writes Betsy Phillips, it always affects us all.

The American Crisis — Same as It Ever Was

Many times throughout American history, those in power have terrorized and destroyed parts of the country. It always affects us all.

www.nashvillescene.com

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