On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

I just saw that the SC Book Festival is going on May 17-19, 2013. It is free to the public except for the opening reception and writers workshops. Ron Rash and Pat Conroy will be there speaking, among others. I might drive down to see if I can get some free books at the exhibits!

I would love to go, especially for Ron Rash, but alas, I have to work all weekend. Let us know how it is.

The largest independent book festival in the United States is in Decatur, Georgia. This year it is scheduled over the Labor Day Weekend, August 30-September 1, 2013. Authors appearing are too numerous to mention. So feast your eyes on the website: http://www.decaturbookfestival.com/Co... .

Our group member Allison Law (http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/55... )is Assistant Program Director. Congratulations, Allison!

If you can make it to this one, you've made it to the Grand Daddy of them all. Peruse the guest authors and drool.

Mike S.

Jenny wrote: "I just saw that the SC Book Festival is going on May 17-19, 2013. It is free to the public except for the opening reception and writers workshops. Ron Rash and Pat Conroy will be there speaking, ..."

Oh how I wish I were close enough to take advantage of this but, alas, I am a southern girl in Pennsylvania.

Mike wrote: "The largest independent book festival in the United States is in Decatur, Georgia. This year it is scheduled over the Labor Day Weekend, August 30-September 1, 2013. Authors appearing are too num..."

Thank for this info. Just told my husband to set aside the week of Labor Day for a week of his vacation. Sounds delightful for a book lover.

Wow, that's two huge geek events for Labor Day Weekend in Georgia (Dragon*Con is that weekend in Atlanta.)

Alright everyone, here is my report on the SC Book Fest:

I sat in on Ron Rash speaking 4 different times and it was great. The biggest thing he discussed was his new book Nothing Gold Can Stay. He also talked a lot about the movie being made of Serena. It is going to star Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence. He said he would NOT be making a cameo in the movie. He said that the only things that he he'd been involved in with the movie were a few calls from the screenwriter, and that the actor who would be playing the sheriff who is British, called him a few times just to hear him talk so that he could get the southern accent right. Other than that he said he has had nothing to do with the movie. In the Q&A session he was asked if he was going to see the movie, he said yes. He was also asked what he would do if he did not like the movie, he responded in saying that the option had paid off his mortgage, so he would be fine with it however it was. He also stated that he was very happy with the choice of the actors in the movie.
I was able to talk with him for a while, and he was very nice and intelligent. We spent most of our time talking about Cormac McCarthy and William Gay. I also got him to sign all of my books!

Serena the movie will be coming out September 27th of this year.

Pat Conroy was a great speaker, he mostly talked about the USC Press, (the South Carolina USC), who is going to start publishing a new fiction series next year and that he (Mr. Conroy) would be the editor of it. He said it would be Short Stories and Novels and that they were taking submissions now, and the first installment would premier at the SC book fest next year.

There was also a engagement honoring James Dickey.

I also got to meet among others: Mary Kay Andrews, Patti Callahan Henry, George Singleton, and James Dickey's daughter Bronwen.

It was a great weekend full of amazing writers and the best Southern Lit.

If anybody has any questions about my weekend, please let me know.

Oh very exciting about the press. Glad you had fun!

Sounds wonderful, Jason. Thanks for your report. Love the conversation with Ron Rash, especially the bit about paying off his mortgage. He sounds like a very down- to- earth, sensible guy. It's also good news about the USC Press. With the changing world of publishing and the rumored demise of bookstores, it's good to know that there are new and exciting things afoot. Thanks again for taking the hit and "suffering" through the weekend for the rest of us.

One thing I forgot to mention about the new USC book series is that the novels or short stories HAVE to be southern lit. So I'm sure it will prove to be something that all of us "Southern Lit" lovers will enjoy.

Diane, yes, Mr. Rash is a very down to earth man, he speaks very slowly, but clearly, and he has a very distinct southern accent. He is an awesome guy.

Jason wrote: "Alright everyone, here is my report on the SC Book Fest:

I sat in on Ron Rash speaking 4 different times and it was great. The biggest thing he discussed was his new book Nothing Gold Can Stay. He..."

Thank you Jason for an interesting and enlightening report, especially on the topic of USC Press. I'm going to query them regarding both "The Home Place" and current work "Three Sides of the Track."

Gratefully
Mike A

Mike, I think that title "Three sides of the track" is terrific. Kinda grabs ones attention.
Well done

John wrote: "Mike, I think that title "Three sides of the track" is terrific. Kinda grabs ones attention.
Well done"

Thanks, John. Great to get feedback on things like that. However (or the ubiquitous "But"), an old friend of mine who is the partial inspiration for the book, wrote a book and titled it as such. Unfortunately, his manuscript is so rough, an agent would never look at it, but I think it is an award winner. True life story of how a local DA keeps him in prison to have an affair with his wife. I liked his title so much that one day he told me to use it for my book since, as said, part of the human interest part of my book is based on his life. "Why," one might ask, don't I help him straighten his manuscript out. Liability. Several lawyers and other county officials heard about my friends book and have let it be known they would sue if it were ever published.

Thanks again for your feedback
Mike A

Jason wrote: "One thing I forgot to mention about the new USC book series is that the novels or short stories HAVE to be southern lit. So I'm sure it will prove to be something that all of us "Southern Lit" love..."

Jason, Thanks for the great report on the South Carolina Festival of Books.It's also exciting to hear of the new USC series forthcoming. It would be a great complement to Algonquin Books from UNC. I recently picked up That's What I Like (about the South), and Other New Southern Stories for the Nineties: And Other New Southern Stories for the Nineties published by USC in 1992. I thought at the time I purchased the book a series would be an ideal project for the USC Press. Great news.

Mike S.

The Southern Festival of Books is in Nashville in October. I've never been to a book festival....anyone ever been to this one?

I've heard it's good and I'm in town for another conference, wondering if I can squeeze it in....

I have been to the one in Nashville. I went last year. It was awesome and very organized. All venues are within walking distance of each other, plus there are great places to eat in Nashville and great places to listen to music.

The one in Nashville is incredible. They have a really good set-up and usually a great slate of authors.

Does anyone know of any festivals in the first quarter of 2014?

The NC book festival is in in Raleigh on April 5th-7th. There's no announcement as of yet who will be there.

Thanks Diane!

Does anyone know of a website that gives a comprehensive list of the literary festivals in the country, or in the southeastern region at least? I've Googled and can't seem to find one.

This has nothing to do with Southern book festivals, but I just thought that I would make everyone aware that the National Book Awards ceremony will be broadcast live tonight (11/20/13) on C-span 2 at 7:40 pm EST. There are some great books nominated and I am looking forward to seeing the winners announced.

I've been to the Virginia Festival of the Book in Charlottesville, VA. Great time. The 2014 one starts March 19: http://www.vabook.org/index.html/

The festival often focuses on crime fiction and mystery and can have a very 'southern' feel. Had a great chat with JT Ellison there about Tennessee as a setting for police procedurals.

My book club has decided to attend the NC Literary Festival in Raleigh this year for our April meeting. The dates are April 3rd thru 6th, and will be held at the new state of the art NCSU Library, which is quite a marvel of architecture. Authors participating include James McBride, Lee Smith, Wilton Barnhardt, Scott McClanahan, Teresa Fowler, Karen Joy Fowler, and others too numerous to mention. I was disappointed that Ron Rash won't be there, but I mustn't be greedy. This is my first book festival and I'm pretty excited.

Diane wrote: "My book club has decided to attend the NC Literary Festival in Raleigh this year for our April meeting. The dates are April 3rd thru 6th, and will be held at the new state of the art NCSU Library,..."

I hope I can come to Raleigh, NC to the book festival in April. It all depends on work. I am from Greensboro,NC and my husband is a graduate of NC State. We lived in Durham for twenty years before moving to Pennsylvania. We still have relatives in NC so we try to come as often as we can.

Thanks for the info
Beverly

Diane wrote: "My book club has decided to attend the NC Literary Festival in Raleigh this year for our April meeting. The dates are April 3rd thru 6th, and will be held at the new state of the art NCSU Library,..."

You just might catch me there. NC is becoming like a second home to me these days. And you can pencil in your calendar (does anybody do that anymore) The Alabama Festival of the Book is scheduled April 19, 2014. Here's the website: http://www.alabamabookfestival.org/we... .

Mike

Folks, as you get information on Southern Book Festivals in your area, please pass that information along, with website if possible!

Mike

Mike and Beverly and anyone else who may make it to the NC festival: Please send me a message to let me know. It would be so great to lay eyes on Goodreads friends, it would almost be like meeting celebrities!

Don't know if I will make the NC fest or not, but here is the website and information on my native SC book fest: http://www.scbookfestival.org/

It will be held May 16th - 18th. Saturday and Sunday are the best days to go as Friday is only ticketed writing seminars and a special dinner with some of the authors that I believe is $40 a plate.

Saturday and Sunday are always free and so amazing.

They have not released a list of coming authors yet, as they are always late in doing this. But I know there will be plenty of our southern folks and some national authors as well as locals.

It keeps getting bigger and bigger every year so I have the feeling that this year will be better than ever.

Diane wrote: "Mike and Beverly and anyone else who may make it to the NC festival: Please send me a message to let me know. It would be so great to lay eyes on Goodreads friends, it would almost be like meetin..."

Diane, I checked that list of authors coming the NC fest. It looks like an awesome lineup!!

Just wanted to tell you even though he is not southern, Junot Diaz is an amazing speaker. USC (South Carolina) holds a fall literary fest every year and he was the speaker two years ago. I was able to meet him, get my books signed and spend a few minutes with him, and let me tell you, he has to be one of the nicest and most accommodating writers I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I would highly recommend you at least hear his speech and stories he tells, he will not disappoint!

Hey y'all

Rollins College has their annual Winter with the Writers event in February. Come see me in Orlando every Thursday. I'll be sitting in on the FREE Master's Classes taught by one writer each week.

This year:

Charles Simic February 6
Justin Cronin February 13
Alan Michael Parker February 20
Laura van den Berg February 20
Madison Smartt Bell February 27

If you can only make one class, if you're a writer it's worth your time!

http://www.rollins.edu/winterwiththew...

Jason, I will check out Junot Diaz, even though I've not read his work. Thanks.

Thing Two wrote: "Hey y'all

Rollins College has their annual Winter with the Writers event in February. Come see me in Orlando every Thursday. I'll be sitting in on the FREE Master's Classes taught by one writer ea..."

Dang. I'd make the trip for Madison Smart Bell alone. Lucky, lucky, lucky.

Mike

Mike wrote: "Dang, I'd make the trip for Madison Smart Bell alone. Lucky, lucky, lucky...."

I know, right? I've read Charles Simic's poetry, and a few short stories by Laura van den Berg, but the rest will be new to me.

The classes are lightly attended unless the author is uber-popular (last year Azar Nafisi drew a large crowd), but the night time readings are always popular. I prefer the class, because the writers share so much information - about their writing, their experiences, etc.

Really, Mike, flights to Orlando are cheap! I'll save you a seat February 27.

The Virginia Festival of the Book starts this year on March 23 in downtown Charlottesville. I plan to be there on Friday, at least, in case anyone here wants to have some coffee and talk books. Usually a great turnout there.

http://www.vabook.org/site14/program/...

Hello everybody!

The author list for the SC Book Fest went live yesterday morning. Here is the link that will take you straight to the list: http://scbookfestival.org/index.php?c...

There are some great ones this year: Ron Rash, Wiley Cash, and many others.

Be sure to keep checking back every few days as they still take author applications until the first of April and will update the list as confirmations come in.

Wow it's a great line up so far. Nikki Giovanni might be the one I'm most excited about, I love her poetry. I'm going to try very hard to make it this year, it's only two hours away and free, no excuses!

The N.C. Book Festival was a great weekend. Got to meet James McBride who is such an impressive and inspiring speaker. Karen Joy Fowler was a very witty, funny, warm person. And just too cool - Daniel Wallace ("Big Fish", "Kings and Queens of Roam" ) doodled all over my book before signing it. My book club had a great time. Friends, wine, food and books-how can you go wrong with that?

Diane wrote: "The N.C. Book Festival was a great weekend. Got to meet James McBride who is such an impressive and inspiring speaker. Karen Joy Fowler was a very witty, funny, warm person. And just too cool - ..."

I am SOOOOO jealous. What a line up! Big Fish was a great read. You're right. Daniel Wallace is too cool. I had my gig for the Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society AND the vintage car show for The Tuscaloosa Children's Center. Two very good causes, but...I'm still jealous. *grin* I'm glad you and your book club had a great time.

Mike

A great time to see Karen too after her award win. Fun! I'm going to do my best to go to SC in may. Maybe I'll see some of you there!

So glad you had a great time at the N.C. Book Festival. I was hoping that my husband and I could make it to NC to visit our mothers and also make a trip to the book festival especially since my husband has not visited his alma mater NCSU in such a long time. Work and other commitments interfered but I hope to be coming to both NC and SC in a couple of weeks. Can't wait!!!

Just finished "Kings and Queens of Roam." Wish I could have gone and gotten it doodled on!

The new James B. Hunt Library on the NCSU campus was an incredible piece of architecture, and worth the trip just by itself. We didn't get to see Lee Smith, but I understand she'll be at the SC Book festival in May, along with Ron Rash and Joshilyn Jackson. I'm hoping I can do at least a day trip for that one.

Diane are you going to make it? I'm going Saturday for sure and possibly Sunday, but I'll be going home in between.

I can't make it again this year, but I'm going to make it a priority next year. Let me know how it is. I really enjoyed the N.C. festival in April, but they only do it every two years. I hope you get to see Ron Rash.

I did get to see Ron! And George, Pat, Marjory, Ed....

Better than that I got to meet two of our group members, Frank and Jason! Still planning to drive back down tomorrow although I'll have to talk myself into it. Hopefully next time I'll plan ahead and just stay overnight.

Cool!

Anybody going to festival next weekend in Nashville? Seems like Mike posted the site with the authors that will be there. I downloaded the app which is pretty cool!

Laura wrote: "Anybody going to festival next weekend in Nashville? Seems like Mike posted the site with the authors that will be there. I downloaded the app which is pretty cool!"

I will be home bound. If y'all go I want a full report. *grin*