Literary Friday, Edition 50
Book Giveaway!
We said we’d give stuff away for the 50th Literary Friday, and it’s here. Up for grabs today is a copy of Stephanie McAfee’s “Happily Ever Madder: Misadventures of a Mad Fat Girl,” her sequel to “Diary of a Mad Fat Girl,” and Karen White’s “AAfter the Rain,” about a freelance photographer attempting to hide from her past in the tiny town of Walton, Georgia. To be entered to win, just comment on this post with what book you’re interested in, and we’ll choose two people at random by the end of the day.
Literary News & Blogs
We celebrated two big author birthdays this week: Flannery O’Connor and Tennessee Williams. For O’Connor, intern Kayla Smith compiled a list of literary sites related to her in Georgia, and we tracked Tennessee Williams across the New Orleans French Quarter in a series of photos.
The Rabbit Room also has a birthday message to O’Connor and quotes her as writing to a friend once “I am thirty-five years old and still have all my teeth.”
The Christian Science Monitor had 10 quotes from O’Connor, while her hometown of Savannah celebrated with an annual parade and garden party.
Two movies based on novels by Ron Rash are in the works, according to Asheville’s Citizen-Times.
A pair of handwritten poems by F. Scott Fitzgerald, along with a signed copy of “Tender is the Night,” are up for online auction through April 2. The current bid is $5,900.
Literary Events
The Tennessee Williams Tribute Committee presents “Kingdom of Earth,” the original title of Williams’ “Seven Descents of Myrtle,” April 1-13 at the Old Alford Drug Co. in Columbus, Mississippi.
Oconee Community Theatre will present To Kill a Mockingbird April 12-14 and 19-21 in Seneca, South Carolina, as part of its 2012-2013 season.
The Festival of Words will hold a fundraiser April 13 at Cite Des Arts in Lafayette, Louisiana, with a showing of the new film “Ferlinghetti A Rebirth of Wonder,” beat poetry performances and a silent auction.
The Kentucky Writers Conference in Bowling Green will be held April 19, with the Southern Kentucky Book Fest held the following day.
The Alabama Writers Symposium presents Rick Bragg (pictured), Cassandra King, Sue Walker and more at Alabama Southern Community College April 25-27.
Harper Lee’s hometown of Monroeville, Alabama, starts its annual performances of To Kill a Mockingbird April 18 at the Old Courthouse Museum. Shows run Thursday through Sunday, ending May 18.
The Alabama Book Festival will be held April 20 in Montgomery, with a focus on books about food. So far, authors include Sonny Brewer, Michael Morris and Peggy Allen.
To view a more complete list of upcoming literary events, see our 2013 Literary Events Calendar.
New in Southern Voice
They Serve Fried Catfish in Glory, an essay about a mystical piece of property in Mississippi used for Baptist church picnics, by Carrie Allen Tipton.
To find out more about Southern authors’ haunts and hangouts, download the Deep South Literary Trail App, now available direct from iTunes and for Android.
Dianne Powell / March 28, 2013
I love reading, love Deep South magazine, and would love to win After the Rain by Karen White.
Liesl / March 28, 2013
Happy (early) Literary Friday! Both books look great, and I think I’m partial to Stephanie McAfee’s “Happily Ever Madder…” Ace looks like a hilarious character!
Emerald Barnes / March 28, 2013
They both look amazing, but I’d say After the Rain really looks like a book for me!
Tamara / March 28, 2013
Oh my 2 books to be given away! That makes my heart sing 🙂
After the Rain by Karen White is needed because I already have the prequel Falling Home.
Although that funky flamingo does look pretty good as well 🙂
Melanie T / March 28, 2013
I love Karen White novels! Would love to win After the Rain. She is a true Southern writer.
Anita / March 28, 2013
I am a book lover, but I really love a good southern book.
virginia russell / March 28, 2013
Thank you for selecting 2 good books to give away. Either will make their winners happy. But After the Rain would be my choice. Keeping my fingers crossed!
Kristy / March 28, 2013
I <3 Karen White. Memory of water still one of my All time favorite southern lit novels
Alisa P. / March 28, 2013
After the rain sounds like the perfect beach read… 🙂
jena pate / March 29, 2013
Karen White! One of my very favorite authors!
Pingback:Literary Friday ya’ll…. | Traveling With T / March 29, 2013
BRENDA CARADINE / April 2, 2013
It’s spring in Columbus, Ms. birthplace of Tennessee Williams. It;s also time for the spring Pilgrimage to ante-bellum homes and to see the beautioful azaleas in bloom. Tennessee’s play Kingdom of Earth is being presented nightlyApril 2-13 (2:30 Matinee Sunday April 7) at the historic Alford’s Drug Store(now with a set of antique props) in downtown Columbus. This play is known also by the title Seven Descents of Myrtle. It is set on a plantation in rural Mississippi in 1960. With only 3 characters, it is an intense and often funny play. Estelle Parsons starred in it on Broadway and was nomited for a Tony. It is Williams at his best. For information and to reserve tickets-call the Columbus Arts Council at 662-328-2787 ARTS).
erinzbass / Author / April 2, 2013
And the winners are … Emerald for After the Rain and Liesl for Happily Ever Madder!
Liesl / April 2, 2013
Yay! Thanks so much, Erin! 🙂