Author Rickey Pittman is "The Bard of the South" who sings and writes nonfiction and historical fiction.

Pittman appeared on KHOZ's "Around The Table" on Friday to discuss his work. His background is in poetry, and he writes fiction and nonfiction.

He really focuses on historical fiction. His book "Blood Diamonds of the Lost Bazaar" is inspired by the blood diamonds of Sierra Leone. Pittman said he got the idea while driving to an appointment in Kansas. He was listening to public radio where he heard about the blood diamonds.

Pittman took his time when working on the book. He said it took close to 10 years to finish it.

"Lost Bazaar" was included in the title after Pittman obtained permission to use the name from a now deceased art gallery owner and artist. That was the name of the gallery. The book's description is below.

Blood Diamonds of the Lost Bazaar takes readers into two very different worlds-from the Lost Bazaar Art Gallery in small-town North Louisiana into Sierra Leone and its dark, violent and sad world of Blood Diamonds and boy soldiers. Caitlin, a beautiful and talented artist, ends a stormy relationship with her musician boyfriend Hunter and journeys to Sierra Leone. Von Vermeer, a wealthy, charming diamond merchant pursues her, and though attracted to him at first, Caitlin is horrified to discover that he is actually a corrupt, deranged diamond smuggler whose crazed obsession threatens her safety. Caitlin returns to Louisiana with Tejan, her adopted son, and rebuilds her relationship with Hunter, hoping to experience the joy of a loving family and redemptive love. But Vermeer follows her to Louisiana, bringing with him the violence she thought she had escaped, threatening her newly found happiness.

Later, Pittman talked about his other works. Additional information is on his website. More was discussed on the broadcast.

The full interview is on the "Around The Table" Facebook Page.