Literary Friday, Edition 217
Our Capote celebration continues this week as we talk to retired University of Alabama professor Ralph Voss, who was a teenager in Kansas when the murders that inspired In Cold Blood happened. He has lived a lifetime of the book and calls it a “reading phenomenon” that still fascinates and terrifies fans today. We talk to Voss about his experience with In Cold Blood over more than 50 years and where the story—and Capote’s legacy—stands today.
We still have lots more to come in terms of Capote stories, but check out this introduction to Capote, reading list of his published works and an interview with the Swiss couple who discovered his previously unpublished short stories last year.
Literary News
“True Blood” author Charlaine Harris shares her Favorite Cozy Mysteries over at Goodreads.
The 2016 National Book Award finalists include Colson Whitehead for The Underground Railroad and Kate DiCamillo for Raymie Nightingale.
In more Capote news, debut novelist Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott has signed a six-figure deal for Swan Song, which centers around his life and career.
And Nicotine author Nell Zink proves she’s not entirely demented in an interview with The Millions.
Literary Events, Workshops & Contests
The F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum in Montgomery, Alabama, is accepting entries for a Poetry Contest through November 11.
The Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home will continue its lineup of fall lectures in Savannah, Georgia, on Sundays through December 11.
The New Orleans Public Library will host Kristy Woodson Harvey on October 8 as part of National Reading Group Month.
Save the dates for upcoming book festivals, including Southern Festival of Books in Nashville October 14-16 and Louisiana Book Festival October 29 in Baton Rouge.
The Louisiana Book Festival has also announced its WordShops on October 28 with writers Margaret Eby, Catherine Gourley, Daniel Jose Older, Peter Cooley and Bill Loefelm.
Andalusia Farm’s 12th Annual Blue Grass Festival will be held Saturday, November 5, at the former home of Flannery O’Connor in Milledgeville, Georgia.
Latest in Southern Voice
Clarksdale, a story about a midnight meeting at Mississippi’s crossroads, by Jeff Fleischer.
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 winter road trips.
Have a piece of news, event, video or something else related to Southern lit that you’d like us to consider for Literary Friday? Send an e-mail to [email protected].
