Home

Shelley Akins

Hey there! Thanks for stopping by. After five years as a marketing copywriter, I have returned to my first love: editorial storytelling. I’m a freelance writer based in Alabama specializing in lifestyle and travel, with a focus on immersive, emotionally resonant stories. Whether writing about culture, beauty, far-flung destinations, or somewhere in my own backyard, my goal remains the same as it was in marketing: to captivate. Let’s tell some stories together.

When I'm not writing you can find me chasing after my three kiddos or keeping up with with latest in the pop culture sphere.

Modern South •

Inside Ridgeland's Free Township Jazz Festival

Featured image: Drew Dempsey Photo


It’s a sunny April evening in Ridgeland as the breezy sound of Grammy-winner Nestor Torres’ flute carries from a packed tent. Audience members bob their heads and tap their feet, soaking in the performance from the legendary jazz musician. Though the spring heat feels more like midsummer — even by Southern standards — it hasn’t stopped families from spreading picnic blankets across the lawn or kids tossing footballs nearby.


This is the Township Jazz Festi...
Modern South •

Hannah Dasher Cookbook: Bringing Sexy Back to the Kitchen

Featured Image: Jeremy Ryan Photography


The Hannah Dasher cookbook is coming.


“Stand by your pan,” country artist Hannah Dasher croons to the tune of the famous Tammy Wynette ballad “Stand by Your Man,” as she stands in her retro kitchen that looks like it smells of Sunday lunch at your grandmother’s house. Dasher begins most of her TikTok cooking videos with this clever wordplay. When her dedicated followers — all 1.6 million of them — hear the familiar melody in Dasher’s signature alto,...
Modern South •

The South's Best Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes, and Fall Festivals - Modern South

Featured image: Visit Franklin


It’s Pumpkin Spice season, y’all! The ‘ber months are here, and while it may take a little longer for the temps to drop here in the South, there is no shortage of pumpkin patches, hayrides, festivals, and other autumnal activities to get you in the sweater weather spirit. From a pirate-themed corn maze to a trail of glowing jack o’ lanterns, these fall destinations and activities are bona fide can’t-miss stops for a quintessential Southern fall. Whether they are...
Modern South •

Discover Jack's Place Bistro: A Culinary Gem in Florence AL

Featured image: Dan Busey/TimesDaily


Florence, Alabama, a quaint college town in the northwest corner of the state, is exactly 1,951.6 miles from Hollywood. Known for its Blues music heritage and small-town charm, the eclectic city could not be further from the lights and cameras of La La Land. But, in a small bistro tucked away in the city’s historic downtown lies an unexpected piece of tinseltown. 


In 2018, Tennessee-native and chef Jack White opened Jack’s Place Bistro, a stylish cafe s...

Guide Monthly - Greater Gainesville March 2023 Page 48

I f home is where the heart is, is the kitchen where the stomach is? Cliché idioms and vital organs aside, the kitchen plays a prominent role in any household. It is the place that says “Good Morning” with the smell of fresh coffee, or a secret refuge to eat a whole carton of ice cream at midnight. It is the place of gathering, sweet smells and full bellies. Such a sacred place requires plenty of gadgets, gizmos and gimmicks to keep operations running smoothly. From large retail chains with ever...
Guide to Greater Tampa Bay •

Get In Tune With The Tampa Bay Music Scene

With its deluxe theme parks, champion sports teams and plethora of recreation, Greater Tampa Bay is a bustling hub of entertainment. An even more impactful attribute of this gulf coast region, however, is its melody — a diverse tune comprised of the body-quivering bass of EDM, soulful blues (The St. Pete Florida Blues, anyone?), the rhythmic beat of the conga and even some intense death metal. This melody, interwoven in the area’s history and culture, is as much a part of Greater Tampa Bay as th...
Deep South Magazine •

Why You Should Add Helen, Georgia, to Your Summer Road Trip Bucket List - Deep South Magazine

By Shelley Akins


Summer and road trips are like autumn and pumpkin spice, they just go together. There is something about the warm, balmy weather of summertime that makes the open road all the more enticing, tempting you to a new adventure with your weekend bag in tow. If you are looking to shake up your vacation plans this summer season, or just craving to experience somewhere new, look no further than Helen, Georgia. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains along the Chattahoochee River, and a m...
Modern South •

Inside Ridgeland's Free Township Jazz Festival

Featured image: Drew Dempsey Photo


It’s a sunny April evening in Ridgeland as the breezy sound of Grammy-winner Nestor Torres’ flute carries from a packed tent. Audience members bob their heads and tap their feet, soaking in the performance from the legendary jazz musician. Though the spring heat feels more like midsummer — even by Southern standards — it hasn’t stopped families from spreading picnic blankets across the lawn or kids tossing footballs nearby.


This is the Township Jazz Festi...