Indies First Day and recommended book list

Indies First Day

Have you heard about Indies First Day? Read the post below.

http://www.ncwriters.org/whitecross/2013/11/25/saturday-is-indies-first-day/

What a great idea. Authors working as booksellers in Indie book stores. Can't wait to see how this turns out.

I hope my readers will visit their Independent Book Stores and pick up a book to give this Christmas. You might even find some books for yourself, and you might meet an author who recommends a book by one of her friends. 

Below is a list of books I recommend, some books by authors you might not know. If your Indie book store doesn't carry these books, they can order them for you.

Serena by Ron Rash - excellent page turner; subject of a movie.

Nightwoods - novel by Charles Frazier - has a mean character who is out to get the kids.
"Offering a closer look at the nature of good and evil and how those forces ebb and flow over time.”
                                     —Atlanta Journal Constitution

I'm a Coal Miner's Daughter, But I Cain't Sang- Memoir by Nadine Justice who grew up in coal camps but became a sought after interior designer

Southern Fried Lies by Susan Snowden - a novel set in Atlanta in the fifties. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

How to Beat Chronic Pain, an Insider's Guide by Maren Mitchell. A book that gives hope to pain sufferers and inspires with poetry as well. 

Twelve Notables in Western North Carolina by Jack Prather is an interesting book of biographies about North Carolinians who have made their mark anywhere in the region, state or nation.

Tender Graces, a novel by Kathryn Magendie is told in the voice of a young girl. "Tender Graces gathers us into its story of family loss, connection and redemption," says Kathryn Stripling Byer, former poet laureate of NC.

Thanks Jackson County Netwest and City Lights for a Great Open House

We had such a great time in Sylva at City Lights Books. Kathryn Byer and Ellen Schofield organized a terrific event with good food and drink and time to chat. Sylva, NC is not too far from Hayesville, where I live, and the drive is beautiful over Standing Indian. Staci Bell and author, Nadine Justice, rode with me. I was happy that Nadine had the opportunity to show off her memoir, I'm a Coal Miner's Daughter But I Cain't Sang. It is now available for sale at City Lights.

One of the featured readers for the day was Pamela Duncan, delightful novelist, who might be interested in teaching at Writers Circle next year. Her short story was met with long and loud applause. 

It was good to see poet, Michael Beadle, who is one of the busiest people I know, teaching, writing and working in schools in North Carolina. To get to know him better, visit this link and hear an interview with him. 

Newt Smith, Jackson County Representative and treasurer for Netwest, was born to be an M.C. He is clever and witty and we all enjoyed him today. 

My long time friend, JC Walkup was present today. Her first book will soon be out and I look forward to reading it. Susan Snowden, author of Southern Fried Lies, edited JC's manuscript.  

I picked up a few copies of Fresh, the literary magazine JC brought over. 

Once again I was struck by the caring and encouragement of the successful writers for those who are still struggling, hoping for their first publication. That is what I found in NCWN West seventeen years ago when I first joined.

Today a young woman, maybe college age, read three poems. She said she was not yet published, but I am sure her work will be out there soon. By joining NCWN she will find a large group of writers and poets who can meet her needs. 

Prepare to Publish - What Beginning authors need to know

Saturday, October 19, 2:30 p.m. at Moss Library in Hayesville, NC, three authors will join me on a panel discussion, Prepare to Publish. 

Kathryn Magendie, author of Secret Graces and other books, will represent the traditional manner of publishing. She has several books out. 

Maren O. Mitchell, author of a self-help book, Beat Chronic Pain; An Insider's Guide, will discuss her journey to publishing.

A former Writers Circle student, Nadine Justice, author of I'm a Coal Miner's Daughter, But I Cain't Sang, will talk about the next step she took after the last sentence of her memoir had been written.

The question I hear most from beginning and amateur writers is, "Now I have the manuscript completed, what next?"

We hope to bring to the public ideas about preparing for publication, what the author should be doing before the book has been written and what to do once he/she has the printed copy in hand. 

We will give out handouts with some places, links, etc. that will be helpful to our novice authors. 

This is a free event sponsored by Writers Circle Studio.

The library is located at 26 Anderson St. Hayesville. Call Mary Fonda, librarian at 829-389-8401 for directions. Call Glenda Beall 828-389-4441 for further information.