Literary Friday, Edition 139
Miss Hazel and the Rosa Parks League Giveaway
As Black History Month comes to an end, we have a guest post from author Jonathan Odell about the bravery of Rosa Parks and the leagues of women she inspired with her bus boycott. His new book, Miss Hazel and the Rosa Parks League, is out this month and tells the story of two young mothers — one black and the other white — who form an unexpected friendship that turns their Mississippi town on its head. We also have one copy of the book to give away. Comment on the post here for a chance to win through Monday.
Literary News
Flavorwire has 10 Withering and Wise Toni Morrison Quotes for the author’s birthday, celebrated earlier this week.
Mississippi University for Women is offering a new Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing, expected to launch in August. Students will take online classes, combined with brief residency, and are strongly encouraged to attend the Eudora Welty Writers’ Symposium in October.
LSU Press is commemorating 80 years of publishing and will be highlighting select titles from its archive and offering special promotions throughout the year.
Tom Wolfe’s papers are on display at New York Public Library for a brief time and are part of his archive acquired by the library in late 2013. (pictured at right)
Nevada McPherson wraps up “American Horror Story: Freak Show” and channels Flannery O’Connor in examining the real freaks, the “ones you wouldn’t think twice about seeing in town.”
Dr. Wilson’s Books & Film class “From Kate Chopin to Swamp People” has come to an end, but you can get all the notes here.
Literary Events
See Tennessee Williams: The Playwright and the Painter on exhibit at the Ogden Museum in New Orleans through May 31.
OUTSpoken workshops will be held February 21 and March 28 at Sundress Academy for the Arts in Knoxville, Tennessee, to create a platform for the LGBTQ+ community to record and perform the experiences of sex- and gender-diverse individuals in the South.
New Orleans musician Irvin Mayfield will perform a free concert of works inspired by writer Ernest Gaines February 24 at Angelle Hall on the UL Lafayette campus.
Mark your calendar for two Tennessee Williams celebrations in March, one in Key West, Florida, March 2-31 and the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival March 25-29.
See Joshilyn Jackson March 6 at Homewood Library in Homewood, Alabama. She will read from her work and sign books; tickets are required. (pictured at left)
The Dahlonega Literary Festival in Georgia is scheduled for March 28-29 with featured authors Erika Marks, Ann Hite, Frances Mayes and Raymond Atkins.
Save the date for The Yokshop in Oxford, Mississippi, a three-day workshop with host M.O. Walsh scheduled for May 15-17.
Reading Recs From Our Sponsors
Our homepage has once again been taken over by a new book from Sarah Addison Allen. This month it’s First Frost about the Waverley women who are made restless by the whims of their mischievous apple tree.
You may have also noticed the dashing picture of Scarlett and Rhett in an ad on our sidebar for the Official Home of Gone With the Wind. Step into their sweeping romance by visiting Clayton County, Georgia.
New in Southern Voice
Schooled, a story about a fourth grade teacher who was exactly like John Denver in every possible way, by Jennifer McGaha.
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.
