Hey Y’all,

My name is Jacob McLendon, and I grew up in the heart of central Mississippi, surrounded by loblolly pines and a thriving ecosystem. Today, I’m blessed to call Mississippi home with my wife, Jessi, and our four sons: Judson, Jayce, Jack, and JB. We cherish life in the quiet, rural corners of our state—where whippoorwills still sing on warm summer nights and wild muscadine vines climb the fences. Here, red dirt roads wind through the landscape, and sweet tea remains the drink of choice.

My deep love for Mississippi inspired me to share stories with my children—old fables about family, nature, and the land that shaped us. What started as bedtime tales soon turned into written stories designed to teach and entertain, blending lessons from nature with the magic of storytelling. After years of writing, I published my first book with Wise Publications in Louisiana—a dream realized as my words came to life on the page.

If you’re drawn to tales of the hidden wilderness in your own backyard, or intrigued by the mysteries of the South, I invite you to join me. Pull up a chair, choose a book, and step into the woods with me. Welcome to the stories of the southern wild.

Born in 1995 to a community college teacher and a sergeant in the Mississippi Air National Guard, I grew up with humble roots and hardworking parents. My childhood was marked by resilience—my mother took a job in a steel plant during the Y2K crisis to help provide for me, my brother, and my sister, and the highlight of our week was a special trip to McDonald’s.

I remember the day the Twin Towers fell, and how quickly my father was called to serve overseas in Europe and the Middle East. Our small Mississippi community felt the impact, as many families had loved ones in the National Guard. As I entered fifth grade, Hurricane Katrina devastated the South—a once-in-a-lifetime storm that changed everything. Even today, we joke about Mississippi being called 'the land mass' on national TV, a memory for those who lived through it.

The recession brought its challenges, but my parents pressed on, even as my father’s retirement took a hit. Before my senior year, I traveled to Siberia, Russia, on a mission trip—an incredible experience that broadened my perspective on the world and myself. At seventeen, I joined the Mississippi Air National Guard, which gave me the opportunity to travel, serve, and pursue my education. I’ve earned two degrees and am now completing a master’s in seminary. I also serve as a bi-vocational pastor, a role that allows me to share my faith while remaining connected to my community and the land.

Today, I live in the woods of Mississippi with my wonderful wife, Jessi, and our four sons. Together, we explore the woods, always seeking to discover something new in the natural world.

Rooted in Mississippi, my wife and I are committed to passing down the Magnolia State’s rich outdoor heritage to our four sons. From hunting in dense forests to fishing in peaceful waterways, we believe these experiences foster a deep connection with the land—and with each other. As a follower of Christ, I believe God calls us to be good stewards of the land, plants, and animals around us. My passion for these traditions fuels my commitment to conservation, so that the ecosystems we cherish remain vibrant for generations to come. By exploring Mississippi’s natural beauty as a family, we strive to protect the wildlife and wild places that define our home.

Above all, I am grateful to God for blessing me with a loving wife and the opportunity to raise four remarkable young men.