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.

Three Princes of Poetry - all in one place

Carole Thompson, Robert S. King, Mary Ricketson, Scott Owens, Glenda Beall

 It is late and I'm almost asleep, but I wanted to report that we had a great time in Sylva, NC tonight. We read and heard some terrific poetry.
Scott Owens has the most marvelous new poetry book, published by FutureCycle Press. One Who Knows How to Own Land. Isn't that the best title?
Many of us know what a terrific poet Scott is, tonight we had a surprise when Ron Rash dropped in to tell us how much he admires Scott Owens' poetry. Ron Rash was at Western University this week talking about his newest book. 

This is what he says on the back of One Who Knows How to Own Land,
“Landscape and memory are seamlessly merged in this excellent volume. Like all the best writers of place, Scott Owens finds the heart’s universal concerns in his vivid rendering of piedmont Carolina.” —Ron Rash, Parris Distinguished Professor in Appalachian Cultural Studies at Western Carolina University

I felt like I was in the room with royalty - at least the princes of poetry - Ron, Scott and Robert King. I was almost embarrassed to read my poems, but I had the satisfaction of knowing that Robert had chosen two of my poems for his FutureCycle 2011 Anthology and Scott has published a couple of my poems in Wild Goose Poetry Review.

Mary Ricketson is always a pleasure to listen to when she reads her thoughtful verses and Carole Thompson read both humorous and serious poetry. One of her poems won second place in a National DAR contest. We all had a good time tonight.
 

Henderson County, NC - Flat Rock Community College

After a long drive I arrived in Henderson County for the annual Bookfest held at the Flat Rock Community College. We all know of the Flat Rock Playhouse, where plays are performed all summer and people from everywhere travel to see them. We also know that the Carl Sandberg home is here.

Writers are hearing about the Blue Ridge Bookfest, now in its third year and growing. When this event was just an idea by some people in Hendersonville, I learned about it from Bob Greenwald who contacted me with questions about writers who were being considered as key note speakers, and authors who might want a table.

I rode up to the first bookfest with Kathryn Byer and her husband, Jim. I enjoyed meeting many of our Netwest writers who were present. We did not have a table that year. The second year, I could not come, but Lana Hendershott and Karen Holmes sent me glowing reports about their day.

This year, I am delighted to see that Flat Rock Community College has lent their support and sponsorship for the bookfest. Bob says when he spearheaded the first one, he had no idea whether it would sustain the interest of sponsors but he feels sure it is here to stay.

The kickoff with free workshops on Friday afternoon by Nancy Simpson and Carol Roan set the atmosphere that only comes with a group of writers. The buffet reception that evening was a meet and greet time where I had a chance to talk with poet and editor of Wild Goose Poetry Review, Scott Owens. He was at the bookfest for the first time.  At 6:30 PM,  we all sat down for a dramatization of Ann B. Ross's first book of her famous Miss  Julia series. Mrs. Ross, a resident of Hendersonville, was honoree for the evening.
As tired as I was and suffering from the chemical scents in the room, I still enjoyed the program.

On Saturday six of our Netwest members sat for a panel discussion on a variety of writing subjects including poetry, editing, compiling an anthology and a poetry collection, free lance writing, publishing a literary journal and submitting work. This group of writers could have gone on another hour, and the audience seemed to want more, but we only had 45 minutes.

Bill Ramsey iss program chair. This year he brought in  Ron Rash. Last year Robert Morgan was the keynote speaker. Who will they have next year?

I don't know, but I hope to be back to see.

From left, Glenda Beall, Wayne Drumheller, Jayne Jaudon Ferrer, Lana Hendershott, Nancy Simpson, Nancy Purcell, JC Walkup.

Also present on the panel but not in the photo: Rosemary Royston.

Linda Smith, publicity chair for Netwest was also present.

ECHOES ACROSS THE BLUE RIDGE is finally here.

I came downstairs to my studio today and found a man in a brown uniform, the UPS man, hauling boxes up my steps - one after the other, in a non-stop hurry.
Hey, I said to him Don't leave those boxes right in front of my door. I can't move them.
So, he brought them inside and stacked them - all sixteen boxes of books.
I was so excited I could hardly wait for him to leave so I could look at the Netwest anthology we have worked on for nearly two years. From fall of 2008 until now.
Nancy Simpson is the editor and Karen Holmes was her biggest help, working as a volunteer and Katja Holmes, Karen's daughter designed the book.
I have been working on a marketing plan since we decided to publish Echoes and it is falling into place. Book stores are ordering and members are wanting to hold readings.
The book can be ordered by going to http://www.ncwriters.org/ and looking for the cover picture of Echoes Across the Blue Ridge, stories, essays and poems by writers living in and inspired by the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
If you live in the south western part of North Carolina, you can probably find a bookstore that will have the book in stock or will order it for you.
The book will also be available in stores in North Georgia and in western South Carolina.

Phillips and LLoyd Books in Hayesville, NC, Curiosity Books in Murphy,NC and Books Unlimited in Franklin, NC have already placed orders. Tell your book store to contact Glenda Beall, glendabeall@msn.com or 828-389-4441 for ordering information and for prices.
We are extremely proud of this publication which includes an Introduction by Robert Morgan and praise from North Carolina writers, Lee Smith and Ron Rash.
The book is dedicated to the mountain poet, Byron Herbert Reece, who grew up and lived in Union County, Georgia in the Appalachians..

When you read this book, please send me your comments. I'd love to know what you think about it.