It’s mighty quiet up on this hill tonight. Except for the crickets. Or maybe those are frogs. Or crickets and frogs. As you might guess – I am in the woods. After miles of fun and signings, special events and dinners, I don’t mind a little time to lean back and at least think about being lazy. But as I gear up for friends and authors descending on Nashville by the hundreds for the Southern Festival of the Book it’s not a time to start thinking about rocking on the porch this weekend. Things will be rockin’ I can assure you but it’s going to be the echoing sound of stories rising like a cloud over legislative plaza. Even in advance of the event I’m more than a little awed that this labor of love has continued for what I think is their 21rst year! A festival of over 200 authors of all genres flying in and presenting to the listening and reading loving public free of charge. Wait – let me type that out again – FREE OF CHARGE. Of course, there are opportunities to give to the festival and maybe even a bucket here and there in a back of room where patrons can drop a few dollars in appreciation. I hope you do. And bring your friends and catch authors you know but also make it a point to stop into a few panels of people you’ve never encountered. Give those unsung voices a chance to be heard as well.
For those of you who twitter or would like to follow the happenings the hashtag is #SoFest -
I’ll be presenting on the Pulpwood Queen panel with fellow authors Kathy Patrick, Michael Morris, Denise Hildreth Jones, and Melissa Conroy Friday afternoon, then again on Saturday morning at 10am with author Susan Gregg Gilmore. Other friends appearing to name just a few – Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, Raymond Atkins, JT Ellison, Tasha Alexander, and so many more – please follow the link and check the schedule in it’s entirety.
The Clearstory radio program this week will feature a full line up of presentations and more info on attending authors and the works.
The weather promises to be perfect for the entire event and I sincerely hope to see you out enjoying the festival to the fullest!