The Oconeean
Set in the hills of the Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains, Trailhead & Other Stories is a collection unlike any other. From concise takes on modern life to dreamy, dreary unfolding drama and violence, this collection spans the length and breadth of Appalachian Modern Southern Gothic.
With themes of identity, hidden truths, and the weight of legacy, this collection explores the fine lines between truth, hope and sanity.Â
Leslie McCall
Leslie McCall is a native of Oconee County, South Carolina, where his lifelong connection to the Appalachian Mountains continues to shape his writing. A Clemson University graduate, he works in South Carolina's tourism industry and is deeply committed to preserving and celebrating the history, culture, and natural beauty of his home region. His fascination with religion, folklore, local history, and the transformative power of travel informs his fiction, blending the familiar landscapes of the rural South with psychological depth and unsettling mystery. Through his stories, McCall explores the complexities of memory, isolation, faith, and human relationships, creating narratives that are both deeply rooted in place and universally resonant.
Short Fiction from Oconee County, SC
Back Cast
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The gravel crunched under the truck tires as I pulled into the farm drive that led up to my parents’ house.  I had not seen them in some time.  In fact, I had been neglecting my duties as a son for years.  What good on earth is a son who doesn’t even check on his parents?  By what metric is a man counted among his peers if not by how decent he is to those who gave him life?Â
Leslie McCall
The Dark Corner: Humor
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Mark Twain said "Humor is mankind's greatest blessing." We don't know about that, but we are sure it's good medicine. Here in the Dark Corner we love a good humorous tale, so click below for some local color, and in the words of a friend of ours, "Be Blessed!"