Noel Holston is a Laurel, Mississippi, native who for years wrote about popular culture for newspapers in Orlando, Minneapolis and New York. His prize-winning criticism, commentary and features have been published by more than 100 newspapers, magazines and websites. He lost his hearing in 2010. Thanks to cochlear implant surgeries, therapy and a lot of help from his wife and friends, he continues to be active as a writer, storyteller, songwriter and photographer. His memoir, "Life After Deaf: My Misadventures in Hearing Loss and Recovery," published in 2019 by Skyhorse, is still one of the most popular books about hearing loss and overcoming disability on Amazon. Noel's latest book is also a memoir, "As I Die Laughing: Snapshots of a Southern Childhood." He lives in Athens, Georgia, with his wife and collaborator, singer-composer Marty Winkler.