I am a published Mississippi photographer / free- lance writer who loves to shoot most anything from a beautiful wedding to a civil war reenactment. I am the wife of " W. R. Benton". I also use the pen name: "Dahlia Patton." I love to write short stories on spy murder mysteries as well as love stories in the old west... I am looking to see to see my 1st book in print soon. "A Southern Moon Rising" has been released on July 3, 2008 by: Saga books. I also want to work on illustrating children's books as well. I was on my high school paper staff ( The Meridian Wild Cat 1976- 1977 ) as a writer and staff artist and the need to express myself has pushed me this far.. I have done my first piece of photo journalism piece in a Mississippi magazine called: "Today's Mississippi Woman" in the March 2007 issue. I have been on tv 3 times in 2006 due to my photography and the fact I did all 4 book covers for "The Drum Series" for my husband western -fiction writer: "W. R. Benton " http://www.wrbenton.net . I with my husband run an on line redneck and southern humor newspaper called "The Possum Holler Gazette" http://www.possumholler.org
My grandmother on my dad's side had always influenced me as a child growing up that there wasn't "anything I couldn't do as long as I put my mind to it". Her guidance is the one thing that has carried me through a lot of tough times coming through the years. My one article "My Wonderful Granny " is my tribute to her : "Nina Tucker Calvert" from Kemper County , Mississippi is the driving force behind my writing, just knowing she might be sitting on a cloud looking down and smiling at me and rooting for me as I keep climbing a step at a time.      

I am a member of the: Jackson Photographic Society out of Jackson, Ms. Southern Writers Group, Southern Humorist, Women Anglers and Hunters Too , Outdoor Envy: A outdoor site for women. Mississippi Wildlife Federation, Mississippi Writers Guild located out of Meridian, Ms. and the prestigious Western Writers Of America by my association with my husband: W. R. Benton. I am also western - fiction writer I am a member of: Women Writing the West." " W R Benton's " book cover artist for "The Drum Series" and the book " Blood Mountain " http://www.wrbenton.net video on you tube at: www.youtube.com "The Drum Series" "Silently Beats The Drum"

As of April 1st, 2008 I have been nominated for a Mentor "Strong Women" award. This award is sponsored by: Baptist Health Systems, Lifetime Television For Women and Comcast Spotlight.

I am a featured blogger for the Clarion-Ledger's website under: "Outdoors" www.clarionledger.com

. Melanie’s article, “Down On The Old Farm (Reaching For The Stars’ published in the
June 2008 issue of “Desoto” magazine.
Melanie’s article, “The Boat That Wouldn’t Float” published in the Oxford SO & SO’s
March- April 2008 issue
* The Boat That Wouldn‘t Float” published in the Dolthan, Alabama Weekly Xtra AD Vantage Paper for November 25- December 1, 2008 page 4.
. Featured blogger for the Clarion-Ledger’s website, “Outdoors” section.
www.clarionledger.com
. Writer for an Outdoors women site: OutdoorEnvy www.outdoorenvy.com
. Blogger/ writer for Family, Fish and Game www.familyfishandgame.com/
. Photographer for Bert Carruth’s new music cd cover www.listentotheeagle.com

*** Melanie’s photography is endorsed by Mississippi State Senator Terry Burton and Mississippi Songwriter, celebrity Paul Ott Carruth*

I have been on tv here in Misssissippi 3 times in 2006 & 2007 on WLBT's channel 3 ( NBC) "Midday Mississippi" with Wilson Stribling to show my photography and the 1st book in "The Drum Series" .. "Silently Beats The Drum" I have been on "Listen To The Eagle" with host Paul Ott and the "Mississippi Trophy Hunters" the last of July 2006 & 2007 to talk about my photography , the "Drum Series" and to talk about my venison roast recipe published in the "North American Hunting Club Cook Book " ... "Prizes Of Autumn" .. pg 94 "Melanie's Venison Roast" You can go on youtube and see me under W R Benton The Drum Series.

Paul Ott Carruth, W R Benton and I are currently working on a book project called : "Me & J.D." as of 10/ 08/ 07. As of this month ( June 2008) my 1st historical romance: " A Southern Moon Rising" is at the printers. It should be out soon. Go to: http://www.melaniedcalvert.com to read chapter 1 and see the revised book cover. *** I portion of the proceeds off of my book, "A Southern Moon Rising" will be donated to "Go Red For Women" ( with the American Heart Association) and the "Make A Wish" foundation. Make A Wish gives children with life threatening diseases a wish of what ever would make them feel special!*** April 2-4th My husband and I attended the Emerald Coast Writers conference held in Fort Walton Beach, FL. We had the extreme pleasure of meeting best selling author "Stephen Coonts" he is a wonderful speaker I just loved the way he spoke about the characters in his stories.

Visual Impressions Photography
look for the "about me page" to read some more about where I grew up.... On the Visual Impressions Photography website www.visualimpressionsphotography.net . My website was built by: Gary L. Benton ( W R Benton) who is also listed here on the authorsden. I also make western wedding hats with a veil. Look on the front page of my photo website and see the demo I made.

photographer/ book cover artist/ television personality
I have a gallery of photos for the public to browse and other links at: http://www.myspace.com/dahliapatton

My Western Writing Site
This is my new western writing site built for me by " W. R. Benton". There is an introduction to the site about "The Old West" by Mister Benton. You can read an excerpt from my first book : " A Southern Moon Rising" , read about me, see other books to order from, a links page and leave me a message!

New Southern Humor & Redneck Newspaper
If you write or read southern humor or redneck, please go to the above website with your submissions.