Book Store Visit

coverCome join me here at the FoxTale Book Shoppe in Woodstock, Georgia on Friday, April 3rd. It’s emerging author night!

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I recently visited the book store just off the center of town and the place is warm and friendly. I met Laura Lippman and Mary Kay Andrews there. Actually, I had lunch with them and Laura Lippman presented her new book “Hush Hush” after we ate. Ms. Andrews introduced Laura at this book luncheon.

I’ll have copies available for purchase! The bookstore receives half, so we both benefit. See you there!

 

Decatur Book Festival

Decatur Book FestivalThe Decatur Book Festival was this past weekend in downtown Decatur, Georgia. This is the second year I have attended this event. Last year my family and I attended; we walked around for hours listening to some of the speakers. Google Images.

Decatur Book FestivalThis year I entered my books and participated in the emerging authors venue. Our books were displayed on tables and sold by volunteers in the tent. Some authors purchased time to give a short speech or blurb about their books; this helps to sell books. Last year the emerging authors tent sold 7,000 books, a huge encouragement for new authors. That’s a lot of books! Google Images.

Decatur Book FestivalJoyce Carol Oates was the keynote speaker and here is a cover of one of her books. Other speakers gave talks at various places around downtown Decatur. My sister and I had hoped to hear Mary Kay Andrews, who spoke at the Presbyterian Church, but missed her talk. They had skits and poetry for children and also shopping and eating available. Google Images.

Decatur Book Festival Several breweries are nearby and this is a big draw for beer lovers. We tasted several kinds here at the Brick Store including Three Taverns Single Intent. Google Images.

Decatur Book FestivalThis is the Brick Store upstairs inside view with an extremely cozy atmosphere. I think the stone and wood combined with the glasses and lantern lighting make this a pretty photo by Kirk Adams.

Decatur Book FestivalThe festival is eclectic and has something for everyone. Vendors from all over offer authentic tastes and gifts, not to mention books galore. My daughter purchased a necklace handcrafted by a lady using silver, pearls and leather. It is beautiful and original! This is definitely a family affair. I talked with an art store owner and she is interested in my bird houses. I can send her my pics right to an email and she’ll let me know. How cool is that? Google Images.

The Decatur Book Festival is sponsored by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in Decatur, Georgia. We, of course, reminded our younger folks that Coca-Cola was invented right here in Decatur by a pharmacist at a soda shop. My brother-in-law came along for the afternoon, I mean beer, and after a stroll of the books we headed to Twain’s and ate lunch.

The youngest member of my entourage (lol) on Saturday and one of my biggest supporters is my own daughter. No, I didn’t have to careen or cajole or promise her anything. She wanted to go. A big thanks to my sister and brother-in-law and my husband and daughter for their support of my writing and authorship. It is nice to know that people appreciate others pieces of work in their creative endeavors. Mwah!!

~Caroline~pen

~Google Images Credit

~Photos by me

 

 

Georgia Author of The Year Awards

50th Annual Georgia Author of The Year

One hundred and eighteen authors from Georgia were honored back in June at the 50th Annual Georgia Author of The Year Awards. Spouses, children and parents came together for this celebration at the Kennesaw State University Continuing Education Center lending their support for the authors. The event is sponsored by The Georgia Writers Association and The Kennesaw State University College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

This made it real for me. My novel ‘Bleu Moon’ was nominated and frankly I was excited to be there. I know all the hard work that I contributed to making this the best product ever. The whole event was professional and enjoyable; I met some lovely folks. I am grateful that I didn’t miss it. When you sit at your desk, counter or wherever by yourself for hours, then turns into days and months you begin to wonder will others enjoy your creative end? This ceremony reinforced that I am on a beautiful path of enlightenment, not to mention storytelling.

I am a member of the Georgia Writers Association and will be attending my first Writers Conference this fall in the historic city of Savannah. I know Savannah but will probably learn much more through the eyes of writers; this will probably be visually and lyrically somewhat theatrical. I’m excited, can you tell?

Many writers were honored and won the award for their genre. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to the country’s own poet laureate, Natasha Trethewey, who writes poetry related to her upbringing, namely her mother and father’s biracial marriage. More information can be obtained at http://www.georgiawriters.org.

Bleu Moon was nominated in the Fiction category for the Georgia Author of The Year Award.

~Caroline Clemens~pen