Erica J. Smith

Erica Smith is a features copy editor. She came to Hampton Roads as a news copy and layout editor for the afternoon Ledger-Star. She's been a slot editor; Pilot copy desk chief; night coordinating editor; editor of The Compass and other sections; senior news copy editor; Distinction copy editor; and books editor.

Hampton University’s president writes a guide to success in college

January 10, 2022 at 12:04 p.m.

Hampton University's president, William R. Harvey, has written "A Guide to Student Success in College" (Kendall Hunt, 169 pp.). Though he writes from his experiences at historically Black colleges and...

In the book ‘Under Jerusalem,’ the history of archaeology meets today’s struggles

January 2, 2022 at 12:00 p.m.

From the mysteries of the Lost Colony to the global impact of the lowly chicken, Norfolk native Andrew Lawler long has made archaeology, history and science his pursuit as a...

So many ‘best books of 2021’ lists. One outfit is keeping a tally of the top-ranked.

January 12, 2022 at 1:06 p.m.

They're everywhere, those lists — the Best Ofs, the Top 10s. An industry site, Publishers Lunch, is tabulating the consensus of the year's best books. "The roster has remained one...

Literary Notes: A couple ideas for readers seeking refuge from the rush

December 19, 2021 at 4:21 p.m.

Now is the peak season for the incessant clamor of need, want, talk, do. It comes from others and from ourselves. A few books might be starting points for refuge...

Inaugural poet’s new collection gets strong reviews

December 10, 2021 at 1:03 p.m.

Amanda Gorman's new book of poetry might be a popular gift this season. It's "Call Us What We Carry," and she's the hit poet from January's presidential inaugural. The volume...

On the USS Arizona were 38 sets of brothers. A historian tells their stories for Pearl Harbor Day.

December 3, 2021 at 3:48 p.m.

Pearl Harbor Day is Dec. 7, the 80th anniversary of Japan's surprise attack on the U.S. base in Hawaii. For certain loved ones of the Americans who served, the trauma...

Literary Notes: New W&M bookstore is drastically smaller

December 1, 2021 at 2:48 a.m.

Shoppers used to the expansive William & Mary bookstore, a college Barnes & Noble on Merchants Square, will have to adjust or head to the B&N at Williamsburg's New Town....

Literary Notes: Backlash, book bans, and librarians trying to educate

June 24, 2024 at 7:27 p.m.

"Backlash," the term popularized by Susan Faludi's 1991 book, lives on. In this new civil rights era, school libraries in at least seven states have pulled books challenged by residents,...

In novel, Outer Banks writer builds on the true story of a man who went missing and started a second family

November 15, 2021 at 1:13 p.m.

A Suffolk native and decades-long resident of the Outer Banks has published her first novel and will discuss it Nov. 16 in Suffolk. She's a writer you may know: Angel...

Literary Notes: Nicole Glover to discuss sequel to ‘The Conductors’ on Nov. 9

November 7, 2021 at 12:35 p.m.

Nicole Glover of Norfolk, whose skillful debut novel "The Conductors" was well received, follows it with a sequel, "The Undertakers." She'll discuss it at 6 p.m. Nov. 9 in a...

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