Alison Lyn Miller in conversation with Tom Junod and Hunter James | Rough House
Schedule
Thu, 29 Jan, 2026 at 07:00 pm
UTC-05:00Location
Manuel's Tavern | Atlanta, GA
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“Truly, this is a book that belongs on the shelves of not just wrestling fans, but anyone who wants to understand the agonized American soul.” —Josephine Riesman, author of “Ringmaster: Vince McMahon and the Unmaking of America”A Cappella Books is delighted to welcome author Alison Lyn Miller to Manuel’s Tavern to celebrate her new book “Rough House: A Father, a Son, and the Pursuit of Pro Wrestling Glory.”
Miller will appear in conversation with Hunter James, the aspiring wrestler at the heart of her story, and with multi-award-winning journalist and ESPN Senior Writer, Tom Junod.
This event is free and open to the public. Copies of “Rough House” will be available for purchase.
About the Book
Professional wrestling is both a cultural phenomenon and a multibillion-dollar industry that has launched some of the biggest names in entertainment. But what does it take for a wrestler to break through? In “Rough House,” journalist Alison Lyn Miller introduces Hunter James, an aspiring star born into a family of wrestlers in Georgia. Hunter lifts, runs, and pounds protein, sculpting himself into a human action figure with the goal of being signed by a major promotion and finishing what his father started. Miller’s immersive, unforgettable account shows us what happens when Hunter enters the bruising world of indie wrestling—where gymnasiums become arenas, trampolines serve as training grounds, and young men fight for glory.
Rich with drama, humor, and heart, “Rough House” is a ringside seat to a coming-of-age story that reveals the escapism, self-actualization, performance, and violence inherent in one of America’s most dismissed pastimes. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or new to the spectacle, this true story will leave you cheering for more.
About the Author
Alison Lyn Miller has reported and written about independent professional wrestlers around her home state of Georgia and published related pieces in Sports Illustrated and Gravy. She has also written for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Washington Post, and Garden & Gun, among other publications. She lives in Athens, Georgia.
About the Conversation Partners
Tom Junod is senior writer for ESPN Magazine, where his work has won an Emmy and the Dan Jenkins Medal for Excellence in Sportswriting. He is a two-time winner of the National Magazine Award for Feature Writing, and a winner of the James Beard Award for essay writing. Previously he was a staff writer at GQ and Esquire. The film “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” was based on his article in Esquire. He lives in Atlanta with his wife and daughter.
Hunter James is a professional wrestler in Georgia and the subject of the book "Rough House." He's a 2021 graduate of Apalachee High School and has been wrestling since, well, forever.
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Where is it happening?
Manuel's Tavern, 602 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307-1433, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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