Zach Cooley explains that Not a Sparrow Falls grew from the 1926 lynching of Raymond Byrd, a story he felt compelled to address but chose to fictionalize out of respect for its complexity. Drawing on his own experiences with disability, he explores how people of color, disabled people, and even animals have historically been denied dignity.
Influenced by To Kill a Mockingbird, Zach created characters inspired by his childhood with his younger sister and their dog. A verse from Matthew 10:29 shaped the book’s belief that every life matters. The novel is also a tribute to his sister, whose care and companionship defined his early life.
The story follows two siblings in 1920s Virginia who expose a covered-up lynching, sparking community conflict and a fight for truth. Zach hopes readers will engage with its themes of justice, remembrance, and shared humanity.
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