Nevyle Shackelford was connected with writing for most of his life. He sold his first story at the age of 16 for $6. He was the former editor of The Beattyville Enterprise and worked for the Cincinnati Post and The London Sentinel-Echo. He was the author of the book Romance of Lee County and wrote for several magazines. He was best known for his work on folklore and legends on plants. He wrote weekly columns “Short Rows” and “Outdoor Lore” for many years for the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture and was named Agriculture Man of the Year by the Kentucky Farm Journal in 1980. He also taught school for 12 years in Eastern Kentucky. Nevyle Shakelford died on March 11, 1999.