Category Archives: Events

Authors, Book Column, Book Talk, Events

Four Southern Book Festivals

2 Comments

If you live in the South then you know the value of sweet tea and front porches. It’s those values that the following four book festivals, no matter how big or small they are, has in spades. Plus, you get to meet authors, listen to readings, buy books, and get your books signed. Did I mention there are books there? Check out what these four Southern book festivals have to offer in 2014:

Alabama Book FestivalAlabama Book Festival  Saturday, April 19, 2014 – for its 9th year, it will be held in Montgomery, AL’s, beautiful Old Alabama Town . It’s a wonderful venue, with walking paths between period buildings filled with authors giving talks and books to be bought. The Alabama Book Festival also has a great Children’s area with costumed characters and free books for kids. All those front porches in Old Alabama Town also mean that you never have to fear the rain as there’s always a place to gain cover.

Decatur Book FestivalDecatur Book Festival August 29th – August 31st, 2014 – this is a pretty large event, in Decatur, GA, and worth making the trip, if you don’t mind crowds. They have yet to publish a schedule or list of authors who will be attending, but they always have a list of big names that are fun to see (and have sign copies of your books!).

Southern Festival of BooksSouthern Festival of Books October 10th – October 12th, 2014 – this is another big event, in Nashville, TN. They always have 250+ authors, plus the added bonus of hosting a special venue for readings, literary performances and music (hey, it’s Nashville). I’ve heard that the hotel rooms are already all booked up. But they’re also planning an Authors in the Round Dinner, where you can buy a ticket to eat and chat with 40 visiting authors. That sounds kind of neat.

Mid-South Book FestivalMid-South Book Festival September 27th, 2014 – this one is a bit of a dark horse… a start up… a black swan, maybe? Held in Memphis, TN, this will be the inaugural year for Literacy Mid-South’s new book festival.  I don’t know what to expect, but I’m excited, because the folks organizing sure seem excited. It’s 2014, everyone should be in start-up mode, right!? I can’t wait to see what these folks put together to promote books and a life-long love of reading.

Birmingham, Events

Book Events: Jan. 26th – Feb 2nd

Leave a comment

Lots of things going on these days in and around the bookstores and Birmingham libraries. It’s going to get tougher to choose which three book events to highlight each week, but that’s part of the fun I suppose.

There are some big annual library book sales coming up soon too. So stay tuned. Here are three author signings and/or book events you may be interested if you live in the Birmingham, AL area:

January 28th at 6:30 p.m. – the Avondale library is hosting their free January Adaptations After Party where they will be discussing and comparing both the book and movie versions of JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit.

January 30th at 5 p.m. – James Scott author of The Kept, a novel of revenge set in 1897 rural New York,  will be signing at Alabama Booksmith.

February 1st from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. – the downtown Birmingham Library is hosting their annual Local Author Expo. This event is one of the more eclectic and colorful author signings in town. It’s always good fun to chat with these hometown authors.

Authors, Birmingham, Book Column, Events

Book Events: Jan. 19th-Jan.26th

Leave a comment

Things are starting to pick up around town. There are a lot more author events and book events appearing on calendars around Birmingham. Looks like 2014 is getting under way!

Here are three events this next week that would be of interest to book loving folks in the area:

January 23rd from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. – Theresa K. Thorn, author of Noah’s Wife will be speaking and signing at the Vestavia Hills Library.

January 23rd from 2 p.m. until 5 p .m.  – Gus Mayer will host a book signing with Jane Weitzman who will be there talking about her new book Heart & Sole, which focuses on shoes and clever “art shoes.

January 25th from 2 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. – author Robert Inman will be at the Pelham Library signing copies of his latest book The Governor’s Lady. Inman will be signing any of his books… but you have to bring your own copies! The library will not have books there to sell.

Birmingham, Events

Book Events: Jan. 12th – Jan. 19th

Leave a comment

Here are three book events that I saw that might be of interest to all you book loving folks in the Birmingham area. Drop me a note if you know of an author signing or book-related event that I haven’t mentioned. I’m always looking for something fun to do!

Monday, Jan. 13th, from 4pm–6pm – author Clifton Meador will be signing his book fascinomas at the Little Professor in Homewood.

Thursday, Jan. 16th at 10am – author Pam Jenoff will be hosted by the Hoover Library for a skype Q&A session and discussion. Reservations are required! You can make them here.

Friday, Jan. 17th, from 5pm–7pm – author David Bridges will be signing his book The Broken Circle at the Little Professor in Homewood.