Auburn University at Montgomery, Huntingdon College, Alabama State University, and local bookstores Capitol Books, and Roots and Wings (sadly, now closed) have provided numerous opportunities for me to hear or meet authors, both famous best-selling authors and the newly published. In addition to the book-signings and/or one-time presentations, there are some fantastic day-long or weekend events in Alabama. In mentioning this, I fully realize that I am not providing a complete list by any means, so I'll only rave about the ones that I've attended in the last couple of years, or will attend this year.
My author fix for 2014 started with "Murder on the Menu" held in Wetumpka on February 9 (sorry that I didn't think to tell you about this is time to attend - but mark your calendars for next February.) Held as a benefit for the library, attendees have lunch with around 20 mystery writers from across the country, hear panel discussions by the authors, perhaps become a character in an author's next book, et cetera. This was either the fourth or fifth one I've attended - they're that much fun.
On the first weekend in April I'll be in Mobile for Daddy's Girls' Weekend. Followers of the Bones/Sarah Booth Delaney series by Carolyn Haines will recognize the term Daddy's Girls. If you don't, run out and get one of the books immediately, because you're missing something. The weekend features events for writers and readers. Mini-workshops with well-known authors, agents,and publishers are coupled with several social events that are more fun than some of us should be allowed to have. There is the crowning of a new Big Daddy each year. You just have to be there is all I can say about that! Oh, and did I mention (insert brag here) that I got to work with Carolyn Haines and other Daddy's Girls on a cookbook that will make its debut that weekend?
April 19 is the date for the Alabama Book Festival, held in Old Alabama Town in Montgomery. It would take pages to tell you about this, but for now I'll remind you that it is a free, all-day event. Notice, I said free. Of course you will probably want to buy some food or books, but it's nice to be able to bring a family on a nice outing with events for all ages that has no admission charge to any of the venues. If you have children, there are special free crafts as well as wonderful authors. I can't even tell you how excited the children are to meet the authors of the books they love. (Parents, are you listening here?) There is only one problem with the book festival - you can't be everywhere at once. There are usually six or more venues with things going on at the same time. I think the line-up includes around 60 authors this year. Check the Alabama Book Festival website to see who they are this year. Come that morning and stay all day, or come for an hour or two if that's all you can do. My favorite local bookstore, Capitol Books sets up on site in the Grange Hall that day to make the books by the presenting authors available if you want to have an author sign one.
The Alabama Writers Symposium held in Monroeville is the weekend of April 24-26. This year the theme is "Saints & Sinners." In addition to the readings and discussions by wonderful authors, there is the presentation of the Harper Lee Award for Alabama's Distinguished Writer. This year's recipient is Mark Childress. The Eugene Current-Garcia Award for Alabama's Distinguished Literary Scholar will also be announced. A not to be missed extra is the stage version of "To Kill a Mockingbird" performed at the courthouse. Yes, the very courthouse where Harper Lee's father was a lawyer, and the locale for Gregory Peck's scenes in the movie version. Be sure you drink the water while you're there. So many outstanding authors, musicians, and artists have Monroeville connections that many think "there's something in the water."
Fairhope is the setting this year for the Alabama Writers' Conclave Conference on July 11-14. Rick Bragg, the Writer-in-Residence, will speak, and will lead a workshop as will several other authors and an agent. A highlight of the conference each year is the awards banquet, where awards are presented to winners from across the country. It's a good conference, and it's in Fairhope - not that I need much reason to go to Fairhope.
As I said at the beginning, I know this is not a complete list. Visit the Alabama Writers' Forum website www.writersforum.org often for news of events in Alabama.You may be surprised to find how many wonderful things are going on!
