Lit Magic

Q&A with J.T. Ellison

noreply@blogger.com (Lit Magic) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:58:00 +0000

Last week, Lacey G. and I were doing some good old fashioned brainstorming. We were trying to distill what makes the Evening with an Author series unique. We came up with the below list:

1) It features local Nashville authors
2) It provides a behind-the-scene / non-scripted look at authors and their books
3) It's about promoting "smart conversation" between the attendees and authors
4) It's about building community / forging connections between book lovers in the greater Nashville area

We then took it one step farther by asking how LitMagic fit into the mix. It was clear that LitMagic was the perfect venue to do Q&As with upcoming authors. We see Q&As as teasers of sorts because they let you get into the mind of an author. As such, we sent the below questions to J.T. Ellison, author of Judas Kiss, J.T. who replied by email. J.T. will be the featured author on Thursday, January 22nd (6-7pm at Martha's at the Planation; see http://www.swiftbookpromotion.com/evening.phtml for more details). I cannot wait to hear more from her in person. Look forward to seeing you there.

--Ginna F.

Explain your path to becoming a writer. Why/how did you select mystery/thriller genre?
I started writing full-time in 2004. I’ve written all my life, the requisite awful poetry and shorts, even got my degree in creative writing. But I was wholly discouraged by a college professor and gave it up. There was a thirteen year gap in my creativity, and I’m grateful to have the muse back.
The Taylor Jackson series began when I was recovering from back surgery, and had a long slog through rehab. I was reading a lot during that time, anything I could get my hands on. I came across John Sandford’s PREY series at the library, and got hooked. The unique setting – Minneapolis/St. Paul –
his main character – half cop, half rock star Lucas Davenport – sparked an idea. What about a female Lucas Davenport, set in another unique location, Nashville? If he can do it, so can I. Ahh, hubris. But his influence is definitely the reason I took the leap back into writing. Taylor Jackson was born on I-40, as I was driving downtown to rehab. She popped into my head fully formed and started talking in that low, smoky drawl. I was hooked.

Explain how Judas Kiss fits in with your other books?
Up to now, all my titles have been serial killer thrillers, with the killer as a point of view character. Which also which means the books are “how-done-its,” instead of mysteries, which are “who-done-its.” JUDAS KISS is actually a departure for me, because it has more mystery elements that the previous books. The story revolves around a single murder of a young pregnant mother in Hillwood. But it’s all the same characters, and it’s still a thrill ride.

Did you know you were writing a series when you started?
Yes. I knew Taylor was a franchise character from the beginning. She fascinates me. I strive not to reveal too much about her in each book, letting her grow over the course of the series rather than over the course of the book. I also set the books seasonally instead of yearly, so that inhibits her growth even more. I wanted to be sure that she remains iconic.

When you sit down to work on a new book, do you have the ending already figured out like John Irving? Or, do you have a general idea of plot and its drivers and then see where it goes?
I’m a pantser, which means I write by the seat of my pants. I don’t want to know all the details of a story, because if I’m surprised, the reader is surprised too. I have a general idea of what’s happening. I always know who the villain is, and their motivation. Every story grows from there.

How did you decide to make Nashville a main "character" in your book? Why not your hometown of DC? What fun facts have you learned about Nashville as a result of your research? Why should every Nashvillian read your series and in particular Judas Kiss?
Everyone writes books set in D.C., or L.A., or New York. I wanted to do something different. So that was my first thought. But I’ve fallen in love with Nashville, its dichotomies, the culture and the class structure. We have real, big city problems, yet the rest of the world only sees us as Music City, honkytonks and southern food. We are so much more than that, and I wanted to show the rest of the world the Nashville I see.
The books are as realistic a portrayal of Nashville as I can make them. Readers will recognize the settings; the crime scenes may be someplace they drive past every day. I think it’s fun to have a series set in your backyard. I know it’s fun for me to write them, to skulk around town looking for the ideal crime scene. Nashville is chock full of nooks and crannies that are the perfect settings for murder.

What is the best/most influential book you have ever read and why did it inspire you?
I’m a big Ayn Rand fan, and a big Plato fan. I think my favorite must be Rand’s slim volume ANTHEM, which is a parable for Plato’s Allegory of the Cave – humanity is shackled in a dark room and only shown interpretations of what reality is. One man (Socrates) breaks out of the Cave and sees reality for the first time: the blue of the sky, a real chair, a real piece of grass, and returns to tell humanity that they are being lied to. Of course, they can’t handle that truth and murder him. ANTHEM takes this timeless story and creates love out of hate, beauty out of ugliness, and freedom out of horrendous captivity. It’s beautifully written and inspiring.

What piece of advice helped you out the most as a writer?
I have a sign on the door to my office that reads: There are no rules except those you create, page by page. Stuart Woods said that to me in an email, and it freed me as a writer. I’d been so constrained by the “proper” usage of words and sentence construction that my writing was stilted. Once I quit following the rules, things improved dramatically. And John Connolly, author of the Charlie Parker series, some of my all-time favorite books, once told me that all good books find a home. That kept me in the game to get published.

Kip Gayden

noreply@blogger.com (Lit Magic) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 03:22:00 +0000

(Lacey G. and Kip Gayden)

Tonight's Evening with an Author featuring Kip Gayden, author of Miscarriage of Justice, was great. Kip delighted us with stories and old clipping from The Nashville Banner which inspired the book. If you would like to hear Kip speak about the book, check out the audio file dated 3/30/08 from John Seigenthaler's A Word on Words.

On a personal note, it was a particularly fun to see so many friends from different parts of my life including school, WNBA, Breakfast Club and church come out to support the series. How fortunate we are to live in a community that values books and discussion. I hope you will be able to join us for the next event.

The event was also a Critics Pick in Nashville Scene (see below).

By Joel Rice

published: November 20, 2008

Kip Gayden's novel, Miscarriage of Justice, is a work of fiction. However, any resemblance to persons living or dead is not entirely coincidental. Though the book's plot--an early-20th century love triangle gone awry--sounds like a racy installment of Masterpiece Theatre, it has a strong basis in scandalous historical fact. The tale begins in 1896 with the courtship of Walter Dotson and Anna Dennis. He is a Vanderbilt medical student and counselor at a Christian camp in Boiling Springs, Tenn. She is a vivacious 16-year-old camper. They eventually marry and have two children. Yet as his medical practice becomes all-consuming, marital doldrums ensue. Enter town barber Charlie Cobb. It was vintage Tennessean articles about a slaying in Gallatin that first suggested the story to Gayden. Apparently the author's day job as a Davidson County Circuit Court Judge did not provide enough drama, but it's apparent that he has found plenty.
Thu., Nov. 20, 6 p.m., 2008 http://www.nashvillescene.com/2008-11-20/arts/kip-gayden-at-martha-s-at-the-plantation/

--Ginna F.

Lecture Series: Madison Smartt Bell and William Lishman

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey G.) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:33:00 +0000

Is it too early to plan for Monday night? Maybe, but these are two great lectures. As part of their Cay Harris Lecture Series, Montgomery Bell Academy is hosting author Madison Smart Bell and William Lishman. Both events are free and open to the public. Bell is appearing this Monday, November 17th at 5:30 pm in the Pfeffer Auditorium on the MBA campus. Lishman's lecture takes place the following week on Monday, November 24th at 5:30pm in Pfeffer Auditorium.

Bell is a Nashville native and the author of 12 novels including All Soul's Rising, Master of the Crossroads, and his latest, Charm City. Lishman is an artist of varied talents, among them sculptor, filmmaker,inventor, and naturalist. The movie Fly Away Home was based on his 1993 experiment leading a migration of geese from Ontario to Virginia, and he lives in a 2700 square foot earth integrated dome home. (I'm hoping for a slide show.)

Again, these lectures are FREE and all are welcome. Intellectual and entertaining? Definitely should be fun.

Sherlock's Books Loves Its Tennessee Authors

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey G.) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:00:00 +0000

I have yet to check out Sherlock's Book Emporium and Curiosities over in Lebanon, TN, but I hope to soon. Real soon. Truly independent bookstores are rare around here, and Sherlock's claim to be the "largest independent book sellers in Tennessee." I believe them. Just check out the website at www.sherlocksbooks.com. They will order anything you can think to ask for and they carry everything: books, classic movies, vintage games, comics, model cars, model planes, and the list goes on. There's even a private theater where they screen free classic movies. I can't wait to visit.

They're big dreamers and big supporters of local authors. This Saturday, November 8th, from 1:00-4:00pm, Sherlock's is hosting a true author extravaganza--the Tennessee Literary Women's Convention. Sherrilyn Kenyon (she of the celebrated Dark Hunter series)--along with 10 other authors--is the featured author, and yes, that is 11 authors on the schedule.

A listing of the authors is as follows:

Shannon Dauphin, Carolina Hurricane
Elizabeth Haley Garwood, The Warrior Queen Series
Sherrilyn Kenyon, One Silent Night
Alethea Kontis, Beauty and Dynamite
Dianna Love, Phantom in the Night
Missy Lyons, 39 and Holding Him
Ellie Marvel, Secrets 22-Dark Whispers
Trish Milburn, A Firefighter in the Family
Ramona Richards, The Face of Deceit
Marie-Nicole Ryan, Love on the Run
Annie Solomon, Dead Shot

Frances Hodgson Burnett was an East Tennessean?

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey G.) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:59:00 +0000

Why did none of you tell me that Frances Hogdson Burnett once lived in Tennessee? Why am I just now finding this out? How strange that the the author of The Little Princess, The Secret Garden and Little Lord Fauntleroy (along with so many more novels and plays) lived in East Tennessee!

I put myself through grade school, high school and college with money made from babysitting and I was not afraid to call out my charges as Little Lord Fauntleroys. Example:

Me: "Sweet___ (insert name of child), please take your dishes to the sink."
Child: "I don't want to."
Me: "I don't want to, either."
Child: "I can't walk."
Me: "I didn't sign up for Little Lord Fauntleroy. There are lame children in Africa cooking over a fire pit for six siblings and herding goats at the same time. Please take your dishes to the sink."

Born Frances Hodgson outside Manchester, England, her father died when she was young. Burnett was a teenager when, in 1865, the family moved to New Market, Tennessee (outside Knoxville) on the advice of her mother's uncle. Two years later, her mother died, and Burnett was left to care for her siblings. She turned to writing to make money.

In 1873, she married Dr. Swan Burnett. Wikipedia says he was from Washington, DC while the Carson-Newman College library states his parents were neighbors to the Hodgson family in New Market and that only later did Dr. Burnett and Frances move to Washington. (They later divorced.)

A longer profile of Burnett is available here on Answers.com. I'm sure there are more scholarly articles, and I'd love to learn more. Oh, what trivia I've added to my Tennessee lore.

A Teacher's Halloween Horror

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey G.) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:39:00 +0000

By way of Drexel University's online publication The Smart Set comes this article: The Term Paper Artist.

The title says it all; a freelancer who writes term papers for a living. He's made such good money at it that he was able to buy a house. Not sure what's more terrifying: the cheating, the fact that his "Dumb Clients" are being passed from one college course to another, or the idea of writing one term paper after another. (The idea of grading one term paper after another is also an experience never to be forgotten.)

Is a diploma really just a piece of paper?

To Do: Remember: You love learning. You love learning. You love learning for its rewarding sense of accomplishment.

Evening with an Author--the recap

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey G.) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 20:42:00 +0000

It was a full crowd at last night's Evening with an Author. Robert Hicks and Justin Stelter, editors of A Guitar and a Pen: Stories by Country Music's Greatest Songwriters, entertained an audience of 60 people. (Or terrified, as Hicks talked about the time his family accidentally ate his great-uncle Homer. Of course, to know the full truth, you have to read the book!)

Vanderbilt professor Dr. Robert Barsky even brought a class of Vanderbilt students to the event. Yes, they ventured off-campus to attend. Encouraged to ask questions, the audience didn't disappoint. (One question high on the list? "Why did you eat your great-uncle?") Evening with an Author's tag line is "books, wine and smart conversation," and last night Ginna and I wanted to emphasize the latter: conversation. It's in the dialogue between author and reader that some of the most interesting stories/anecdotes/information is gleaned. It's also really fun.

Next month's featured writer is Kip Gayden, author of Miscarriage of Justice. A true story of murder in a small Tennessee town, the book--and its author--are sure to intrigue and entertain all.

*Wondering who those beautiful people are in the picture? From L to R, that's Justin Stelter, LitMagic's Ginna, and Robert Hicks.

C-Span's BookTV

noreply@blogger.com (Lit Magic) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:30:00 +0000

On Friday night, Michael Newton author of Enemy of the State: the Trial and Execution of Saddam Hussein will be doing a reading & signing at Barnes & Noble Cool Springs. Michael is a Vanderbilt law professor who advised Iraqi jurists as they drafted the Statute for the Iraqi High Tribunal, provided training to the Tribunal's judges, and shuttled back and forth to Baghdad to provide assistance to the judges during the trial of Saddam Hussein.

This is a topical subject given how prominently the war is playing in the upcoming Presidential elections. (As an aside, I did early voting today and found the line to move quickly. I was in and out of there in about 15 minutes.) I also heard that C-Span's BookTV will be taping the event. If you ask a good question during the Q&A session, you could end up on national television. Think you don't even have to know how to sing to do Nashville proud (think NBC's Nashville Star or CMT's Going Country -- smile). Look forward to seeing you there.

From the Publisher:

A work of non-fiction written like a novel. A page-turner brimming with illuminating anecdotes, this remarkable account will leave you stunned.

At 12:21 p.m., on October 19, 2005, Saddam Hussein was escorted into the Courtroom of the Iraqi High Tribunal in Baghdad for one of the most important and chaotic trials in history. For a year, two American law professors had led an elite team of experts who prepared the judges and prosecutors for “the mother of all trials.” Michael Scharf, a former State Department official who helped create the Yugoslavia Tribunal in 1993, and Michael Newton, then a professor at West Point, would confront such issues as whether the death penalty should apply, how to run a fair trial when political and military passions run so high, and which of Saddam’s many crimes should be prosecuted.

--Ginna F.

Books, Wine and Smart Conversation

noreply@blogger.com (Lit Magic) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:41:00 +0000

Dear Friends,

It's hard to believe that another month has gone by and that October's Evening with an Author is almost upon us. We hope you will be able to join us this Thursday from 6:00-7:00pm at Martha's at the Plantation for a special treat -- as always the reading is free and open to the public; if you would like to stay for dinner & music there is a $25 per person charge (please see below). The featured guests will be Robert Hicks and Justin Stelter, co-editors of A Guitar and a Pen: Stories by Country Music's Greatest Songwriters.

We thought we'd co-opt the format Lacey G. used in moderating a panel with Sigourney Cheek and Robert Rummel-Hudson at the Southern Festival of Books because it worked so well. In addition to readings from the book, she will pose some structured questions to Robert and Justin and then open up the discussion to the group. Our goal is to stress the 'smart conversation' part of the series' tag line, "Books, Wine and Smart Conversation".

And if you would like to receive HTML emails with more information on the series, please send an email to eveningwithanauthor@yahoo.com with "Subscribe" in the subject line. A full calendar of events can be found at Swift Book Promotion's website. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you soon.

-- Ginna F.

Come Enjoy the Sixteenth Event in the

Evening with an Author Series
Featuring Robert Hicks and Justin Stelter

Date and Time: Thursday, October 23rd from 6:00-7:00pm**

Place: Martha's at the Plantation (Belle Meade Plantation, 5025 Harding Road)

Featured Guests: Co-editors Robert Hicks and Justin Stelter on A Guitar and a Pen. Books will be available.

To RSVP in the affirmative for the October 23rd event, please send an email to eveningwithanauthor@yahoo.com

** Note: For those interested, you can stay for dinner and a musical performance. The price for dinner and music is $25. Dinner is at 7:00pm and music starts at 8:00pm. Please call the restaurant directly at (615) 353-2828 to make your reservation. Mention Evening with an Author to be seated at the group table. For more information, please see http://www.marthasattheplantation.com/news.php

From the Publisher

This unique collection presents, for the first time, the literary work of some of the best storytellers in the world: the songwriters who cut and polish tales down to sparkling three minute gems. A blend of fiction and nonfiction, humor and poignancy, these tales cover a wide range of styles and country artists.

Nashville, Music City USA, is a place where entertainment and artistic fortune are built on the bedrock of songwriters. It has been said in Nashville over and over that "It all begins with a song." Country music's wordsmiths have shaped and molded some of the greatest stories ever told into three and a half minutes that fit neatly on the radio. The editors of A Guitar and a Pen set out to answer the question, "If they can put all that into a song, what could and would they do with a blank piece of paper and a pen?" The answer lies in this remarkable collection of creativity and insight.

Co-edited by Robert Hicks, New York Times bestselling author of The Widow of the South, and by John Bohlinger and Justin Stelter, A Guitar and a Pen features a stunning array of talent. This collections features contributions by Charlie Daniels ("The Devil Went Down to Georgia"), Tom T. Hall ("Harper Valley P.T.A."), Bob McDill ("Song of the South"), Tia Sillers ("There's Your Trouble," "I Hope You Dance"), Gary Nicholson ("One More Last Chance," "She Couldn't Change Me"), Mark D. Sanders ("Daddy's Money," "It Matters To Me"), Bob DiPiero ("Cleopatra, Queen of Denial," "You Can't Take the Honky Tonk Out of the Girl"), Kris Kristofferson ("For The Good Times," "Sunday Morning Coming Down"), Hal Ketchum ("Hang In There Superman," "Sure Love"), Bobby Braddock ("He Stopped Loving Her Today"), and Janis Ian ("Society's Child") to name a few.

In "A Rock," Kris Kristofferson tells the insightful and humorous story of how an explicit natural rock formation brings chaos to a small farming town out west. Collection editor Robert Hicks presents "Gathering Together," a quirky contemporary story of a Southern family. This is just a handful of the wonderful contributions to this entertaining collection.

Co-editors Bios:

Robert Hicks has lived and worked in Nashville for almost thirty-five years. As a music publisher, he has run his own company, launching the careers of some of Nashville's best-loved singer-songwriters and publishing hits like "Just Call Me Lonesome," "Kisses Don't Lie," "Lipstick Promises," and "Never Say Die." He has worked as an independent publisher and has also been in partnerships with both PolyGram Music and MCA/Universal Music. In 2001, Robert Hicks co-authored Nashville: The Pilgrims of Guitar Town (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, New York) with French photographer Michel Arnaud. He is the author of the New York Times Best-Selling novel, The Widow of the South published by Warner Books/NY September, 2005.

His regular "guitar pulls" out at his cabin in the hills south of Nashville have attracted everyone from John Hiatt and the late Harlin Howard to Mary Chapin Carpenter and Beth Nielsen Chapman; from Jules Shear and Larry Carlton to Ray Wylie Hubbard and Steppenwolf's John Kay. Keith Richards once remarked, "You just don't stumble upon the guitar pull, you have to persevere in your heart to get there."

Justin Stelter grew up in Eagleville, Tennessee. He writes regularly for regional periodicals and as Head Gardener at Historic Carnton Plantation in Franklin, Tennessee, speaks throughout the Mid-South on nineteenth century American gardening. A passionate traveler and student of literature, Justin is planning a career as a fiction and garden writer.

Share in the excitement

noreply@blogger.com (Lit Magic) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:24:00 +0000

In preparation for John Irving's visit to Nashville to receive this year's literary award, Mayor Karl Dean is reading and discussing The World According to Garp on Thursday, Oct 23rd at 12 noon at the downtown library. Bring a brown bag lunch and share in the excitement. Seriously, I love this town.

2008 Nashville Public Library Literary Award

John Irving, award-winning novelist, will become the fifth recipient of the Nashville Public Library Literary Award this fall.

Patrons Party will be Friday, November 7 at 6:30 p.m.

$500 per person/$1,000 per couple

Public Lecture at the Ryman Auditorium will be Saturday, November 8 at 10 a.m.

Free and First Come, First Served

Literary Award Gala will be Saturday, November 8 at 6:30 p.m. (Black Tie)

$500 per person/$1,000 per couple

About the Award and Gala:
The Nashville Public Library Literary Award was first given in 2004 to recognize distinguished authors and other individuals for their contributions to the world of books and reading. The award brings outstanding individuals to Nashville to honor their achievements, to benefit the library and to promote books, literacy and reading. It carries with it a substantial honorarium.

Proceeds from the Gala fund the multiple endeavors of the Library Foundation, including Bringing Books to Life, T.O.T.A.L. and the Summer Concert Series.

For more information, please see this link.

--Ginna F.

David Sedaris--Rock 'n Roll Writer

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey G.) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 18:15:00 +0000

This past Friday, my father and I saw David Sedaris perform (and it is a performance) at TPAC’s Andrew Jackson Hall. Every seat was filled in the nearly 2500 seat auditorium. Rock stars may rule in pop culture cool factor, but Sedaris holds his own in comparison. Let no author despair; some writers don’t toil in obscurity, and people will pay good money to drive downtown to have someone read to them.

Opening with a piece that was still a work in progress (Sedaris tweaks and edits his work with each reading), Sedaris followed with an essay scheduled for publication in this week’s New Yorker. Except for the questions he took at the end, as well as his statements endorsing George Saunder’s new collection of essays The Braindead Megaphone, Sedaris read to the audience. On the surface it sounds unbearable, but this is Sedaris and what he has to say is insightful, hilarious, irreverent, and always unexpected.

It was very much an NPR-loving crowd, and Sedaris said that when he hears people crying to the reporters on “Marketplace” about how “this Christmas just won’t be very big this year,” he says, “Well, they should have shopped early for Christmas gifts, back when they had the money.” Every year, Sedaris finishes his shopping in January.

The author didn’t shy away from politics, either: Of those who say “I’m leaving the country if Obama wins,” he asks, “Leaving for where? Where else in the world could they possibly go?”

Not many writers can fill an auditorium; hell, not many writers can fill a book-signing. Again and again, David Sedaris proves why he can: His authorial voice is too vivid; he’s too much an original. His work is his own—-no apologies.

Drum roll, please...

noreply@blogger.com (Lit Magic) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:13:00 +0000

(cover image from this week's Nashville Scene)

Drum roll, please. The Best of Nashville 2008 is out and there are a number of local authors / books on the list. This of course does my heart good. It's recognition of our thriving literary community. Congratulations to the winners! And thank you to all of the local authors who help to make Nashville such a wonderful place to live. You have my gratitude and respect.

Best Mystery/Thriller Writer

J.T. Ellison

Best Nashville True Crime Author

Mike Glasgow

Best Knitting Wit

Ann Shayne

Best Local Cookbook

Around the Opry Table, Kay West

Best Incentive for Local Writers

The Parthenon Prize

Best Place for Used-Media Bargains

McKay Used Books & CDs

Best Local Boy Done Good

Clay Travis

Best Local Alternative to Zagat's
LocalEats

--Ginna F.

Book'em & Cat in the Hat

noreply@blogger.com (Lit Magic) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:01:00 +0000

Given that Lacey and I had our photo taken with the Cat in the Hat at the Festival (see Saturday's post), I could not resist passing on the below. And, what can I say? We are huge fans of Book'em!

What:

Emperor's Celebrity Read-a-thon and Book Drive
and Breakfast with The Cat in the Hat

Who:

Vice Mayor Diane Neighbors, local TV Personalities Davis Nolan

and Lelan Statom, The Cat in the Hat, and others

When:

Saturday, Oct 18

Where:

Davis-Kidd Booksellers

2121 Green Hills Village Drive

Nashville, TN 37215

Breakfast with The Cat in the Hat will be from 9 to 10 a.m.

Tickets are $7.95 for kids and $9.95 for adults

and can be purchased at Davis-Kidd.

The Emperor's Read-a-thon will be from 10 a.m. to noon.

Books can be purchased from Davis-Kidd to donate to Book'em

and a portion of all sales from the day will be donated to Book'em.

Get an early start on your holiday shopping

and support Book'em on October 18!

--Ginna F.

Elizabeth Strout

noreply@blogger.com (Lit Magic) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:42:00 +0000

Elizabeth Strout, author of Olive Kitteridge, did a nice post on the WNBA, Nashville Chapter event on Saturday. She identified us as people who "engaged easily and passionately" and are "dedicated to the art and act of reading". To read the full post on book club girl, please see this link.

Special thanks to Lee Fairbend, President of the Chapter, for organizing this successful event!

--Ginna F.

Southern Festival of Books - Day 3

noreply@blogger.com (Lit Magic) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 20:31:00 +0000

A friend wrote on Facebook that she is "recovering from the Southern Festival of Books". I identify with the sentiment. I am wiped out and ready for a long nap. With that said, am happy that I made the effort to get down to Legislative Plaza for a few hours today. Got to hear David Wroblewski author of The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. It was my favorite presentation of the Festival (see above).

A few highlights from today include:

* Catching up with Emily Masters of Humanities TN at the Children's Stage (see below).

* Seeing Nina Cardona of WPLN and her family enjoying the Festival (see below).

* Reconnecting with Darnell Arnoult, author of Sufficient Grace who did Evening with an Author about a year and a half ago, and her husband (see below).

* Chatting with Will Akers author of Your Screen Play Sucks on the steps leading up to the Plaza before his presentation (see below).

* Remembering how good the pulled pork tacos were from Mas Tacos -- yes, had them for lunch on both Friday and Saturday - smile.

--Ginna F.

Southern Festival of Books - Day 2

noreply@blogger.com (Lit Magic) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 03:07:00 +0000

(Nina Cardona and Elizabeth Strout at the WNBA, Nashville Chapter event)

Hard to believe that I am saying this but Day 2 was even better than yesterday! It was just so great to see so many book lovers come together in one place. The morning kicked-off with the WNBA, Nashville Chapter's Breakfast with the Author event at the downtown Public Library (thanks to Dollar General for sponsoring the event). Nina Cardona, on-air personality at Nashville Public Radio - WPLN, interviewed Elizabeth Strout author of Olive Kitteridge (Random House, 2008). Both were incredibly articulate and thought-provoking. Our group was thrilled that 50 or so people came out for the inaugural National Reading Group Month event. We hope you will be able to join us next year.

So what were some of the other highlights from the day?

* Spending the day with Lacey G. and seeing so many friends, both old and new. We also got our picture taken with the somewhat scary Cat in the Hat (see below).

* Attending the panel discussion moderated by Lacey G. with Sigourney Cheek author of Patient Siggy and Robert Rummel-Hudson author of Schuyler's Monster. We got to spend quite a bit of time with Robert over the course of the day; he's just plain great (see below).

* Watching Linda Ragsdale perform her magic (read: arts & crafts demonstrations) at the Children's Stage and enjoying a cupcake because it was Lars the polar bear's birthday (yeah, not sure what that was all about but we got cupcakes so we did not ask too many questions -- smile. See below).

* Hearing Marshall Chapman tell the story that inspired the song "Call the Lamas!" and then perform the song.

* Getting to know Michelle Jones of BookPage.

* Attending two awesome parties. One was hosted by Humanities TN at the State Capital and the other by the Parthenon Prize at the Arts Company. Let's just say that publishing types, authors and other hanger-oners just plain fun and the conversations cannot be beat!

--Ginna F.

Southern Festival of Books - Day 1

noreply@blogger.com (Lit Magic) — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 12:09:00 +0000

Day 1 of the Southern Festival of Books was great! And we still have another two full days left to enjoy - nice! Those Humanities TN folks sure know how to put on a good show. Did I mention it's all free and open to the public? What's stopping you? Put on your comfortable shoes and come out and join in the fun.

What were some of the highlights for me?

* Walking around Legislative Plaza at 9am with the beautiful morning light a few hours before the Festival began (see photos above).

* Picking up some note cards with the image of the girl in a purple dress & books at the WNBA, Nashville Chapter booth (see photo below).

* Meeting Bill Ivey author of Arts Inc. in the hospitality suite.

* Seeing Kip Gayden author of Miscarriage of Justice and new WNBA, Nashville Chapter member. (Our ranks are swelling and we hope you'll consider joining us too! Members include publishing types, authors, teachers, librarians and good old fashioned book lovers! Check us out at the Festival or online)

* Escorting Bret Lott author of Ancient Highways and some of his former grad students to the author signing area. (Had no idea until I read his bio that his book Jewel was an Oprah Book Selection - am sure the sales numbers are impressive to say the least).

* Catching up with Jonathan Harwell producer of A Word on Words.

* Sharing a belly-laugh with Robert Hicks and Justin Shelter, co-editors of A Guitar and a Pen, at the Authors in the Round party.

* Having dinner with Honor Moore author of The Bishop's Daughter who is a Wylie client (the literary agency where I worked fresh out of college). Cannot wait to read her new book! She's so talented.

--Ginna F.

This weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (Lit Magic) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:04:00 +0000

(cover image from this week's Nashville Scene)

A friend asked me last night if I had any big plans for the weekend. I sure do and so should you if you are here in Nashville. It's the Southern Festival of Books, Oct 10th-12th, held at Legislative Plaza downtown. It will be amazing! Make sure to stop by the Women's National Book Association's (WNBA) booth to learn more our vibrant organization. (And yes, despite our name, we have both men and women as members.) You'll even get a free bookmark with our Fall line-up. What could be better?

To better plan your time, a hard thing to do with +250 authors being present, I have added three helpful links. The first is the schedule of events. The second is the Young Adult and Children's schedule. The third is the cover article from this week's Nashville Scene. Enjoy and hope to see you there!

--Ginna F.

Moneyball

noreply@blogger.com (Lit Magic) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:47:00 +0000

Do you have those books that you just keep recommending to people over and over? One of mine is Michael Lewis' Moneyball. In fact, I just bought a copy of it this weekend for a family friend. (It's really good! And even for someone like me who's not a sports fan. See description below)

Accordingly, I was excited to see in this morning's mediabistro that Michael Lewis may be signing on with Vanity Fair on an exclusive basis. See this link to read the full article in The New York Observer.

From the Publisher

The Oakland Athletics have a secret: a winning baseball team is made, not bought. In major league baseball the biggest wallet is supposed to win: rich teams spend four times as much on talent as poor teams. But over the past four years, the Oakland Athletics, a major league team with a minor league payroll, have had one of the best records. Last year their superstar, Jason Giambi, went to the superrich Yankees. It hasn't made any difference to Oakland: their fabulous season included an American League record for consecutive victories. Billy Beane, general manager of the Athletics, is putting into practice on the field revolutionary principles garnered from geek statisticians and college professors. Michael Lewis's brilliant, irreverent reporting takes us from the dugouts and locker rooms-where coaches and players struggle to unlearn most of what they know about pitching and hitting-to the boardrooms, where we meet owners who begin to look like fools at the poker table, spending enormous sums without a clue what they are doing. Combine money, science, entertainment, and egos, and you have a story that Michael Lewis is magnificently suited to tell.

Author of the bestsellers Liar's Poker, The New New Thing, and Next, Michael Lewis is also a columnist for Bloomberg News. He lives in Berkeley, California.

--Ginna F.

Holiday Shopping

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey G.) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:50:00 +0000

If you typically purchase books through Amazon, here's a way to help out the Nashville Public Library at the same time: Go to the Nashville Public Library Foundation website. From here, you can search Amazon for the books you need; when you make a purchase, Amazon donates up to 15% of the purchase price to the Nashville Public Library. You have to go through the Foundation's website for them to receive the credit, but it's a small inconvenience if you can feel this good about shopping. It is the season to give, after all.

Many thanks to Lele Thompson for sending me the link. Yes, she found the info, but I gave it the power of the blog. For your efforts, Lele, you will be receiving one book of your choice from my own personal library.*

*The books available for choosing are ones from a special "Will-You-Please-Take-This One-Away-So-I-Can-Buy-More" library collection. Many are advance reading copies; if you can stand the clutter, in a hundred years it might be worth something.

The Gifted

noreply@blogger.com (Lit Magic) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:01:00 +0000

In today's Life Section of the Tennessean, there's a profile of Lorraine Lopez, an English professor at Vanderbilt, and her new book The Gifted Gabaldon Sisters. My interest is piqued; I am quite taken with how Lopez positions the book. She says,

"To me, the sisters are not cultural representatives so much as human beings motivated by longing and conflicted responsibility," she asserted. "As (the author) Sandra Cisneros says, 'We all share one nation, and that's the body.' In their bodies, and in their way of walking in the world, the sisters are very much like all of us, at least to me."

If you would like to learn more, she will be giving a reading at Davis-Kidd on Thursday night at 7pm. Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend. Will you pick up a signed copy for me? I cannot wait to read this book!

From the Publisher
Having lost their mother in early childhood, the Gabaldón sisters consider Fermina, their elderly Pueblo housekeeper, their surrogate Grandmother. The mysterious Fermina love the girls as if they are her own, and promises to endow each with a "special gift" to be received upon her death.

Mindful of the old woman's mystical ways, the sisters believe Fermina's gifts, bestowed based on their natural talents, magically enhance their lives. The oldest sister, Bette Davis Gabaldón, always teased for telling tales, believes her gift is the power to persuade anyone, no matter how outlandish her story. Loretta Young, who often prefers pets to people, assumes her gift is the ability to heal animals. Tough-talking tomboy, Rita Hayworth believes her gift is the ability to curse her enemies. And finally, Sophia Loren, the baby of the family, is sure her ability to make people laugh is her legacy.

As the four girls grow into women they discover that Fermina's gifts come with complicated strings, and what once seemed simple can confuse over time. Together they learn the truth about their mysterious caretaker, her legacy, and the family secret that was nearly lost forever in the New Mexican desert.

--Ginna F.

Books into Movies

noreply@blogger.com (Lit Magic) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:28:00 +0000

Was introduced to a wonderful blog called book club girl which is "dedicated to sharing great books, news and tips with book club girls everywhere".

The post that really caught my attention was on books being adapted into movies (a comprehensive list can be found here.) Seriously, who doesn't love seeing a movie based on a beloved book? (OK, it's true. I come love the movie only after I have come to terms with the various "creative" changes that Hollywood makes in translating the story onto the silver screen.) It got me thinking about some of my favorite books that have been made into equally good movies.

My top ten favorites are:

1. Out of Africa (1985) with Meryl Streep and Robert Redford
2. The Princess Bride (1987) with Robin Wright Penn and Cary Elwes
3. Emma (1996) with Gweneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam
4. The English Patient (1996) with Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche and Kristin Scott Thomas
5. One True Thing (1998) with Renee Zellweger, Meryll Streep and William Hurt
6. An Ideal Husband (1999) with Cate Blanchett and Rupert Everett
7. The Hours (2002) with Julianne Moore, Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman
8. Cold Mountain (2003) with Nicole Kidman and Jude Law
9. The Devil Wears Prada (2006) with Meryll Streep, Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt
10. Atonement (2007) with Keira Knightley and James McAvoy

What are some of your favorites?

--Ginna F.

Public Discourse

noreply@blogger.com (Lit Magic) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:49:00 +0000

(Margaret Renkl, Jonathan Marx and Trisha Ping)

One of the most interesting points made last night at the "Role of the Book Review" panel was how a good book review offers a form of public discourse. I hadn't thought of it in those terms and couldn't agree with Jonathan Marx more. Isn't that what we need most right now, in our local community and in the world at large? Public discourse, individual participation, and a recognition that we are all connected is required for a liberal democracy such as ours to function properly. This subject is particularly relevant as we watch the presidential and vice-presidential debates and vote in November.

This train of thinking makes me think of Martin Luther King, Jr's famous "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" and his discussion of justice and freedom.

"But more basically, I am in Birmingham because injustice is here.... Moreover, I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states. I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial "outside agitator" idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds."

For me, there is not that large a distinction between MLK, Jr's Letter, the presidential debates and the discussion that happens at a five-person book club. These are all opportunities to think in depth and discuss important social and moral issues. Books and the discussions they generate play an important role in forging bonds between people. When these bonds are in place, we can more easily tackle larger and more thorny issues.

So, come out next weekend and experience the Southern Festival of Books, a celebration of books featuring approximately 250 authors. Who knows what bonds and discussions will come out of it.

--Ginna F.

Book Review Panel

noreply@blogger.com (Lit Magic) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:50:00 +0000

As the Vice President of the Women's National Book Association, Nashville Chapter, I want to invite you to come to our next meeting on Thursday (see below). Know this is going to be a great panel! Hope to see you there.

WNBA, Nashville Chapter

Event: Come join us on Thursday, October 2nd, in the conference room located in Bronte Café at Davis-Kidd located in the Green Hills Mall, for the second program of the year. All WNBA programs are free and open to the public. We encourage members to bring guests; it is a great way to increase awareness of our amazing organization within the community. The informal pre-event gathering starts at 5:00pm at Bronte Café. For those who can make it, this is a great opportunity to meet other members and guests and enjoy the delicious fare Bronte Café offers. And please do not forget to bring your checkbook to renew your annual dues of $25.

This month’s meeting will run from 6:00-7:15pm. Jonathan Marx, former Book Editor of The Tennessean, Margaret Renkl Book Editor of Nashville Scene and Trisha Ping, Fiction Editor of BookPage, will discuss the role of the book review. It’s a timely discussion given the changes the publishing and media industries have undergone over the last decade. How are these changes impacting how consumer use book reviews and ultimately select which books to read given the proliferation in titles and increased popularity of the Internet and such programs as Oprah’s Book Club?

--Ginna F.

Reading at D-K

noreply@blogger.com (Lit Magic) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:32:00 +0000

Local author and WNBA , Nashville Chapter member Michael Glasgow will be reading at Davis-Kidd on October 8th at 7pm. (I had a chance to hear Mike speak last year on a WNBA panel titled "True Crime, Mystery and Suspense".) You'll not want to miss it. As a lawyer who practiced for 20 years, he has an interesting perspective on the true crimes he writes about.

From the Publisher: Her Murder was Brutal and Savage, and the Nicaraguan People want Someone to Pay! In 2005, Eric Volz moved to Nicaragua to pursue his dreams. By 2006, he was living the worst nightmare of his life. Twenty-five year old Eric Volz moved to Nicaragua in 2005 in pursuit of paradise. Drawn by its pristine beaches, scenic mountains, lush rainforests, and economic potential, he quickly fell in love with the country. And when his start-up publication, EP Magazine, found success on an international level, Eric's life was taking off like a dream. Then, on November 21, 2006, Eric's ex-girlfriend, beautiful Nicaraguan Doris Ivania Jimenez, was found brutally murdered inside her clothing boutique in the Pacific coastal town of San Juan del Sur. The day he helped lay Doris to rest, Eric was arrested for her murder. His paradise quickly became his prison. Haunting and powerful, this is The Eric Volz Story.

--Ginna F.