Introducing: A Little Local News with Amy Barnes

a new monthly column

When Mike Nagel abandoned the magazine and resigned as its sole columnist, I knew it would be difficult to fill his shoes. Apparently, it was unclear if I actually wanted someone to try. Amy Barnes opened her pitch in response to the job posting saying, “I can't tell if you really want a new columnist or not, but here goes.”

She nearly sealed the deal right there, but additionally she added, “I am occasionally funny,” and “I live here in Nashville.”

The magazine is based in Nashville, too, though you’d hardly know it. There’s been next to nothing local about Little Engines. Aside from my editor’s notes, zero writing from this city has been included.

If you know me personally, you are likely tired of my bitching about Nashville. There is plenty to hate, but I’m anchored here, so have been thinking of ways to reevaluate, find new perspective, and possibly even engage.

And so, I’m happy to introduce: A Little Local News with Amy Barnes, a new monthly column.

Amy writes and edits (in so many p…