Literary Friday, Edition 127

Interview & Chat With Kimberly Belle 

Our first #southernlit chat of the season takes place today with The Last Breath author Kimberly Belle. Her debut novel examines what happens in the aftermath of a crime of passion, as Gia Andrews returns home to Tennessee to care for her dying father upon his release from prison. Belle talks to us about what inspired her story, taking her characters to some pretty dark places and what fascinates her most as a writer in our interview. Joined by Tamara Welch, we chat with her from 1-2 CST (2-3 EST) this afternoon using the hashtag #southernlit. You can also sign into our chat room on Twubs here to participate, and read a review of The Last Breath over at Traveling With T here. We also have a copy of the book to give away to one lucky chat participant!

Conclusion of The Silent Sister Readalong & Interview With Diane Chamberlain

We’ve been discussing part three of The Silent Sister all week over at Traveling With T and — as promised — are ready to wrap up with an interview with Diane Chamberlain herself. She answers all those burning questions, including why Danny was so angry with his sister Lisa throughout the course of the novel, tells us what she’s working on next and even shares why she’s terrified each time she starts a new book.

Literary News

Find out our 3 Best Moments From the Louisiana Book Festival, including the announcement a new trail of sites related to “12 Years a Slave” and major advice on life from Jill McCorkle.

Faulkner is now keeping watch of New Albany, Mississippi, after his hometown decided to paint his likeness on a water tower. He does have to share space with the local high school mascot (a bulldog) but got to face west toward Rowan Oak in Oxford.

Fans of Erika Marks will want to add her new romance in the Southern Born series, A Very Married Christmas, to their wish list this season.

Cast your vote in the opening round of Goodreads’ Best Books of 2014, which includes Greg Iles’ Natchez Burning and Laura Lane McNeal’s Dollbaby.

Twelve Minute Muse podcast chats with Dayne Sherman, author of Southern mystery Zion, which released October 30.

Florida poet John Davis Jr.’s new book of poetry Middle Class American Proverb, is now available on Amazon.

Literary Events

Birmingham Public Library will host its popular Bards & Brews tonight at the Birmingham Museum of Art with open mic poetry and craft beer from Blue Pants Brewery and Good People Brewing Company.

The Festival of Words will take place in Grand Coteau, Louisiana, this weekend with literary readings by nationally recognized authors, creative writing workshops, a community stage for open mics, drive-by poetry and more.

The Southern Food and Beverage Museum in New Orleans has a booksigning with Pimento Cheese cookbook author Pere Coleman Magness tomorrow.

Save the date for signings at Square Books in Oxford in November, including Rick Bragg on November 17 and Ron Rash on November 20.

Wiley Cash visits Foxtale Book Shoppe in Woodstock, Georgia, November 17 for the paperback release ofThis Dark Road to Mercy.

The Gulf Coast Writer’s Association will have a workshop November 22 at the Long Beach Library on the topic of how to produce a professional novel with Michael Garrett, who was Stephen King’s first editor.

New in Southern Voice 

Passing and Burial, a pair of poems about dying by Michelle McMillan-Holifield.

To find out more about your favorite Southern authors’ haunts and hangouts, download the Deep South Literary Trail App, available direct from iTunes and for Android and perfect for those fall road trips.