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Melanie Calvert Benton, (aka) “Melanie D. Calvert,” “Dahlia Patton” is a retired respiratory care practitioner who now works with her first loves, photography and writing. While running a successful photography business for years, she only recently turned to writing a novel through the urgings of her husband Western Fiction Writer W.R. Benton. Melanie’s photography has appeared on the covers of all four of Mister Benton’s "The Drum Series" and soon will be gracing her own books. Her first historical novel, "A Southern Moon Rising," was released in July 2008.

An avid outdoorswoman, she enjoys deer hunting, fishing, camping, Citizen Band Radio and of course, outdoor photography. She prefers the smell of wood smoke, the crackling of a fire late at night, and the serenity of nature, to a fast-paced life in a big city. Melanie is a supporter for empowering women from all walks of life. Born and raised in Mississippi, most of it on a farm, she is a true Southern Belle.
She may be reached at:
· Her Photography website is: http:www.visualimpressionsphotography.net
· Her Western site : www.melaniedcalvert.com
· Her Blog: www.myspace.com/ladyfox250 www.myspace.com/dahliapatton
Her accomplishments include:
· Book cover artist for western - fiction writer W. R. Benton's "The Drum Series" http://www.wrbenton.net
· Member of the: Jackson Photographic Society,
· Member: “Go Red For Women” ( American Heart Association)
* I support the “Make A Wish” foundation for children with life threatening diseases
· Member: Southern Writers Group,
· Member: Southern Humorist Writers Group
· Writer for: Women Anglers & Hunters Too!
* Member: Mississippi Wildlife Federation
* Member of: “Roughing It” ( outdoor site) www.roughingit.ning.com
· Member: Mississippi Writers Guild.
· Associated with the Western Writers of America through W. R. Benton
. Member: Women Writing the West www.womenwritingthewest.org
· 11 year Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant www.maykay.com/mcalvert
· Published in the North American Hunting Club Cook Book "Prizes Of Autumn " for "Melanie's Venison Roast"
. Listed under: www.authorsden.com/melaniedcalvert
. Melanie is a 2008 Mentor nominee for a Strong Woman Award, sponsored by: Mississippi Baptist Health Systems, Lifetime Television For Women and Comcast spotlight.
· Featured in 2006 & 2007 on WLBT's " Midday Mississippi " with host Wilson Stribling
· Featured in July 2006 and 2007 on "Listen To The Eagle" with host Paul Ott Carruth
· Recognized in the April 2007 issue of "Today’s Mississippi Woman" magazine for as an outstanding Mississippi woman
· Her photos published in "Mississippi Magazine's" September/ October 2006 issue along with Anne McKee's article "Author ! Author!"
. 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
. 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*

Melanie Calvert Benton, (aka) “Melanie D. Calvert,” “Dahlia Patton” is a retired respiratory care practitioner who now works with her first loves, photography and writing. While running a successful photography business for years, she only recently turned to writing a novel through the urgings of her husband Western Fiction Writer W.R. Benton. Melanie’s photography has appeared on the... More