Maybe it's because he was born in the same hospital as Flannery O'Connor — the old St. Joseph's in downtown Savannah — but there's no doubt that Jim Morekis has writing in his blood. As the longtime editor-in-chief of the weekly newspaper Connect Savannah, the University of Georgia graduate has written about and experienced pretty much every cultural happening in the area. He credits his love of travel to his mother Elizabeth, who was John Berendt's travel agent during his stint in Savannah while writing Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

Jim currently serves on Savannah's Cultural Affairs Commission, happily spending taxpayer money on the city's many festivals. As for the ongoing debate over which city is better, Charleston or Savannah, Jim calls it a tie: Charleston has better long-term planning, but Savannah has to-go cups (allowing anyone to explore the Historic District with a beer or cocktail in hand).

When not busy writing, Jim enjoys spending time with his two beautiful daughters, Alex and Sophia, and his dear wife Sonja, who gets his deepest gratitude for opening his eyes to the true wonder and mystery of the Georgia coast.