Acclaimed singer-songwriter Cindy Morgan is stepping into a new creative chapter with the announcement of her debut novel, The Dogwood Gospel, set to release October 13, 2026 through Tyndale House Publishers.
Years in the making, The Dogwood Gospel marks Morgan's first foray into fiction, drawing deeply from personal family history and Southern storytelling traditions. The novel is inspired by her Aunt WillaMae-affectionately known as "Wild Bill"-who left home at just 16 to join the famed Cetlin & Wilson circus. Her extraordinary life included performing as a sword box girl, serving as the target for a knife thrower, and working as a snake wrangler in traveling carnival shows.
Set in the 1950s, The Dogwood Gospel unfolds as a Southern coming-of-age story woven with mystery, centered around an unsolved murder against the vivid backdrop of carnival life. The narrative explores the complex world of side-show performers and outsiders who lived on the fringes of society, offering a richly textured portrayal of identity, belonging, and survival.
Blending lyrical storytelling with themes often found in her music-faith, brokenness, redemption, and grace-Morgan brings a deeply human lens to a world rarely explored in Christian fiction. The novel's title evokes both Southern imagery and spiritual resonance, hinting at a story where the sacred and the unexpected intersect.
"I've carried this story for a long time," Morgan shared in announcing the project. "It's rooted in real people, real places, and the kind of lives that don't always fit neatly into categories-but are no less worthy of being told."
Known for her influential career in Christian music, Morgan's transition into fiction represents a natural extension of her storytelling voice. With The Dogwood Gospel, she invites readers into a narrative that is at once nostalgic and haunting, grounded in history yet resonant with timeless questions about truth, identity, and faith.
The book is now available for pre-order through major retailers, with additional details and updates expected in the lead-up to its fall release.
