As the Red Clay Readers' look at "To Kill a Mockingbird" comes to a close, we'd love to hear from the author herself about her landmark piece of American literature.

But that's not going to happen. Harper Lee has made public appearances, she's written letters and forewords and blurbs for other authors, but, at least since the movie version of "To Kill a Mockingbird" came out more than 50 years ago, she hasn't granted any interviews to the press.

But we have the next best thing.

Wayne Flynt, professor emeritus of history at Auburn University, has lectured extensively about “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and he and his wife visit frequently with the author in Monroeville. He has asked her about the book through the years, and she has answered.

In the video above, he relays her answer to one of the questions he is always asked when talking about the book: Why did Harper Lee only write one book?