Acclaimed Southern storyteller Sean Dietrich—known for his thoughtful reflections on family, faith and finding joy in the ordinary—released his newest novel, Over Yonder, on Oct. 7. Now available nationwide, the book is quickly resonating with readers for its mix of humor, heart and Southern soul.
Part Southern road novel, part meditation on fatherhood, Over Yonder follows a defrocked priest just released from prison, a pregnant teen searching for a way forward and an emotional support goldfish as they journey through the Deep South. Poignant and humorous, the story is Dietrich’s tribute to second chances, flawed families and the unexpected ways people find grace and connection.
As the trio travels through small towns, bayous and backroads, they discover how redemption, presence and unlikely friendships can transform a life. With his signature blend of dry humor and emotional insight, Dietrich captures the quiet moments that shape us—and the healing that often arrives in surprising forms.
“This book is a love letter to fatherhood,” said Dietrich. “Fathers, those misguided, flawed, beautifully imperfect humans who tried, failed, got everything wrong, and, in spite of themselves, somehow became our greatest teachers on the subject of love.”
“Sean is an innately gifted storyteller—his voice can’t be taught; it’s simply who he is,” said Laura Wheeler, Senior Acquisitions Editor for Thomas Nelson Fiction. “His novels are emotional and redemptive, filled with cantankerous old men with big hearts, tongue-in-cheek humor, and flawed characters who remind us that forgiveness and kindness can be found in the most unlikely places. Over Yonder brims with hope and love for humanity, inviting readers to see the world through Sean’s uniquely compassionate lens.”
Beloved for columns featured in newspapers across the region, Dietrich once again captures the heart of Southern life—its people, its places and the everyday scenes that bind communities together.
Over Yonder is now available everywhere books are sold including Amazon, Barnes & Noble (in-store and online), Bookshop.org and independent bookstores nationwide.
Sean Dietrich is a columnist, humorist, multi-instrumentalist and stand-up storyteller known for his commentary on life in the American South. His work has appeared on The Today Show and in Newsweek, Southern Living, Garden and Gun and Reader’s Digest. His column appears weekly in newspapers such as Freeport Life throughout the U.S. He has authored 18 books and more than 4,000 columns. He tours his one-man show throughout the U.S., makes appearances on the Grand Ole Opry, hosts the Sean of the South podcast—and he’s a really nice guy.
Follow Sean’s daily writing at seandietrich.com or @seanofthesouth on Instagram.
