- Sally J. Ling
Author, Speaker & Journalist
I am an author, speaker and journalist. As an author I have written five books, mostly on Florida history. As a journalist, I have interviewed Olympic champions, world-renowned men-of-the-cloth, Carnegie Hall performers, high-powered developers, politicians and TV personalities. I’ve covered Mickey Mantle memorabilia, World World II exhibits, historic walking tours, restaurateurs and entrepreneurs. I’ve even been a ghostwriter.
I love Florida history and am committed to finding buried, forgotten, or unusual stories and bringing them to my readers in a compelling manner.
Author
Five of my books, mostly historical fiction and nonfiction on Florida history (see below), have been published. I believe the heart of any community is in the history of its people, and my goal is to ferret out those stories.
Journalist
For four years I was a special correspondent for the Sun Sentinel newspaper where hundreds of my articles appeared in the Community News section. And as a freelance journalist, dozens of my articles appeared in Boca Raton, Gold Coast, Boca Life, Delray Beach, Palm Beacher and Carolina Bride magazines.
Speaker
As a speaker, I have shared my stories with audiences at numerous educational institutions, social and philanthropic organizations, and historical societies throughout South Florida. I enjoy speaking about Florida’s rich history, and never miss an opportunity to talk with students about writing, and the excitement of discovering a good story.
I have also been a guest on NPR (National Public Radio) many times, and am a guest lecturer with the Life Long Learning Society at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida.
Documentaries
Because of my book Run the Run In,I had the privilege of participating in two documentaries depicting South Florida during the Prohibition era.
I was associate producer and on-camera speaker in WLRN’s documentary “Prohibition and the South Florida Connection” that premiered November 4, 2011. And I participated in a series entitled “Gangsters” for the National Geographic Channel in 2010.
Now Available for Purchase!
Run the Rum In allows readers to discover the tricks of the trade—smuggling the liquor and evading the law. Learn of the dealings of Al Capone, “the Real McCoy,” and the “Gulf Stream Pirate.” Discover how NASCAR got its start and a local restaurant with a past steeped in rum running.
and
Small Town, Big Secrets: Inside the Boca Raton Army Air Field during WWII chronicles the history of the Boca Raton Army Air Field and includes descriptions and experiences of veterans and civilians who served on the Field.
and
A History of Boca Raton, is a quick read, yet a comprehensive history of Boca Raton, and the institutions that make up this city.
and
Phillip’s Great Adventures: Spies, Root Beer and Alligators is a historical novel for young people that is based on the real life adventures of former Boca Raton residents, the Barrett family.
