Local Author Douglas Robbins Brings Family History to Life in Debut Novel
By: Shelia Mader
Marianna resident Douglas Robbins is proving it’s never too late to chase a story worth telling.
Robbins has just published his first novel, The Peddler, a work five years in the making that blends family history, regional roots, and a touch of mystery into a story set in the early 1900s. While it may be his first novel, Robbins is no stranger to writing. Years ago, he helped his late wife, Mary, bring a cookbook to life for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Now, with her memory close at heart, he’s stepping into the spotlight with a story of his own.
“The idea came from a conversation Mary and I had coming back from the beach,” Robbins said. “We started talking about what would make the perfect story.”
That conversation led to the creation of a traveling peddler, a character inspired in part by Robbins’ own family history. His grandmother, who grew up in the Red Bay area before moving to Alabama, once told stories of peddlers who passed through rural communities selling goods from mule-drawn wagons. From those memories, Robbins built the foundation for The Peddler, weaving together fact and fiction.
The novel centers on a young traveling salesman and a budding romance, but readers hoping for a neat, tied-up ending may be in for a surprise.
“The book ends with his proposal,” Robbins said with a laugh. “But you don’t find out what happens next.”
It’s a deliberate choice, one that leaves readers lingering on the story long after the final page.
Beyond its central plot, The Peddler offers a richly detailed glimpse into life in the early 20th century. Robbins drew from historical photographs and family accounts to recreate a time before paved roads, electricity, and modern conveniences. Even small details, like a long-passed-down family moonshine recipe, find their way into the narrative, grounding the story in authentic regional history.
For Robbins, the journey to publication hasn’t been without challenges. A serious automobile accident five years ago, followed by a Parkinson’s diagnosis, forced him to relearn basic physical functions. Today, he continues to work through those challenges, often using a walker, but he hasn’t let them slow his creativity.
“I survived,” he said simply. “And now I’m writing books.”
That determination is carrying him into his next projects. Robbins already has another cookbook, Mary’s Cookbook, currently at the printer. The book serves as a tribute to his wife, who passed away last year, and includes a heartfelt foreword honoring her life and their shared love of cooking.
In addition, he’s at work on a second novel titled Moonshine Pilot, a story inspired by his time on earth and the tales he heard along the way. The book follows a young man caught running moonshine who is given a choice between jail and military service, a decision that sets him on an entirely new path.
While The Peddler is currently available through Amazon, Robbins admits he would love to see it on local shelves. Despite efforts to place it in area bookstores, distribution challenges have kept it primarily online, for now.
Still, Robbins remains focused on what matters most: telling stories that connect the past to the present.
At an age when many slow down, he’s doing the opposite, writing, reflecting, and preserving pieces of history for a new generation, including his growing family. With a young great-grandchild already bringing fresh joy into his life, Robbins says the motivation to keep going is stronger than ever.
“Something to do,” he said modestly.
But for readers in Marianna and beyond, it’s much more than that. It’s a reminder that stories, especially the ones rooted in home, are always worth telling.
