THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF
DAVID SOUTEE
A native of the Ozark hills, David Soutee is a bona fide survivor of small-town religious fundamentalism. He currently takes refuge in the Portuguese archipelago known as the Azores, along with his wife and kids. As a writer, he uses lyrical prose to convey the quiet intensity of rural life, the pull of tradition, and the moments that redefine our understanding of truth. His emotionally resonant, character-driven stories navigate the intersections of faith, doubt, and self-discovery, as well as explore the themes of neurodivergence and mental health.
The first chapter of my unpublished novel, SUSPENDING DISBELIEF, is now available on Medium.
In the Ozarks of 1986, ten-year-old Jesse is enjoying the last days of summer—unsupervised and carefree—until a fiery and charismatic preacher comes to town to lead a week-long Pentecostal revival. With each passing night, the sermons grow more frightening and apocalyptic, pulling the boy into a surreal haze of anxiety and dread, replete with visions of hell and haunting nightmares. Then, in the midst of the darkness, he stumbles upon a truth—one that just might shatter all illusions and bring true salvation.