Born in 1962 in George, Kim L. Siegelson based "In the Time of the Drums" on accounts of an incident that was supposed to have taken place on St. Simons Island, Goerge. For this story, Siegelson received the American Library Assocation Coretta Scott King Award as well as several other awards. Her works include The Terrible, Wonderful Tellin' at Hog Hammock, and Trembling Earth.