This is an artist/scholar concept site. It consists of the main site plus two blogs.

The Free State of Sharon Gerald is a research blog written by Sharon Gerald as herself. This blog will focus on an exploration of the legend of Newt Knight and the Free State of Jones, but it will also branch into all areas of Mississippi culture, history, and maybe even a little politics.

The Free State of Marley Jones is written by a fictional character. Marley (not her real name because she has to live in Mississippi) Jones is coming of age in Mississippi and waiting for a movie based on events that happened in her home town during the Civil War Era to come out.

The two sites will link back and forth from time to time, and both can be followed from this page via the rss feeds provided in the sidebar.

The Free States of Sharon and Marley are only just now launching, so there is quite a bit still to develop. Please keep checking back to follow their stories and their research, and possibly even check back to hear about a little movie mania update news.