Sonny founded OVER
THE TRANSOM BOOKSTORE in Fairhope and its annual literary conference,
SOUTHERN WRITERS READING . He is also board chairman and founder
of the non-profit FAIRHOPE CENTER FOR
WRITING ARTS.
Sonny wrote and self-published three
books: REMBRANDT THE ROCKER, an
illustrated parable on aging that poses as a children's book; A
YIN FOR CHANGE, a book of "dime-store" philosophy; and a ghost-written
biography of Clarence Darrow. Brewer is the former editor-in-chief
of Mobile, Alabama's city magazine, MOBILE
BAY MONTHLY; he also published and edited The Eastern Shore
Quarterly magazine and edited RED
BLUFF REVIEW. He was a reporter on his college newspaper, and
co-edited The Southern Bard literary magazine at the University
of South Alabama.
Sonny’s training as a writer began
with his first real job at 15, where he flipped burgers as a short-order
cook at Woody’s Drive-In in Millport, Alabama. His story-telling
education continued as service station attendant, pants folder,
folk singer, used car salesman, sailor and electronics technician
in the U.S. Navy, tugboat deckhand, traveling used tire salesman,
carpenter, building contractor, real estate salesman, purveyor of
collectible automobiles, magazine editor, newspaper columnist, teacher,
lecturer, and coffeehouse manager. Sonny knuckled down in there
somewhere and collected a couple of college degrees, which might
or might not have helped. Knowing that a writer never lets the truth
stand in the way of a good story, Sonny believes he is missing some
critical experience in embellishment: He has not yet made a bid
for political office nor preached a tent revival—though, regarding
the latter, he has always hankered to do so, choosing not to, however,
under threat of divorce.
Preproduction work continues on the
movie adaptation of THE POET OF TOLSTOY PARK,
to be directed by Jeremy Kagan whose previous directing work includes
"The Journey Of Natty Gann" and "The Chosen"
based on Chaim Potok's novel. Kagan recently won an emmy for directing
an episode of the hit TV series "Chicago Hope." THE
POET OF TOLSTOY PARK screenplay was written by Tom Epperson
who wrote, among other things, "The Gift" starring Cate
Blanchett, and "A Family Thing" starring Robert Duvall
and James Earl Jones. Epperson is frequently a writing partner with
Billy Bob Thornton.
Sonny
is represented by Amy Rennert of Amy Rennert Agency in San Francisco.
To schedule an appearance, or to ask
Sonny a question, email him directly at sonnybrewer@overthetransom.com.
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