YOU’RE INVITED

The wait is almost over for an especially cool book I’m proud to have co-written, Jacktown USA. Kamel King and I take a deep dive into the fascinating impact the city of Jackson, Mississippi, has had on so many blues and southern soul artists over the years, including Eddie Cotton, Zac Harmon, and Dexter Allen. Back in the day, there were so many small clubs and juke joints across the capital city, and there were also radio stations that routinely played homegrown talent on the air and even record labels that launched in Jackson. The city, referred to in the book’s subtitle as The Capital of American Music, provided an education not available in a textbook to nearly every artist we spent time with. 

Join us Thursday, June 26 from 6-9 p.m. at Lemuria Books of Jackson. There will be live music from several of the artists featured in the book. There will be catered food and spirits available, and signed copies available. If you’re a music lover, this is a must-read, and a book you’ll turn to again and again.

What a cool cover! What a fun read!
My thanks to the Mississippi Writers Guild for plugging in John Floyd in Meridian and me in Gulfport in recent weeks to put on writing workshops for their members in those markets. John, with his three-decade track record of his short stories being published in nationally read publications like Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, The Strand Magazine, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, and Woman’s World, shares best practices about how to go about submitting one’s piece of short fiction, and he also provides gentle encouragement for those who might be inclined to give up quickly. Something I offer is taking audience members step by step from an idea for a book in a writer’s head to the day the truck arrives with that author’s first printing. But what makes such occasions memorable for both of us is when the event is truly interactive, with most everyone taking part and exchanging ideas and offering feedback.

I just flew in from Pittsburgh, and boy, my arms are tired!

Speaking of John, I’m not sure The Strand Magazine would be in print without his regular contributions. This is the 75th anniversary issue of this fine publication, and John is in good company with a writer both of us greatly admire, C.J. Box. 
That Fleming guy wasn’t too bad, either.

I’ve said before in this space that book clubs are crucial to authors getting the word out about their books. I’ve also said in this space that books we think of as evergreens, like Valerie Winn’s fine first novel, Forsaking Mimosa, perform like the Energizer Bunny and keep going and going and going. Valerie was honored to be the very first guest of the Gulf Coast Newcomers and Friends book club in Ocean Springs. While discussing her first book and answering questions, she described the equally strong sequel, The Dance Between, and her forthcoming third volume, A Glaring Error. 

Doesn’t that look like a comfy place for a book discussion?

Let your friends know about Jacktown USA, and please try to get to Lemuria and enjoy the party! The book will be on the Dogwood Press website very soon, and while you’re there, think about a Father’s Day gift, such as the wonderful devotional penned by Hal Kitchings, Dog-Gone, It Hurts. That book has “evergreen” written all over it! Visit the site at dogwoodpress.com. All orders are usually shipped the next business day and are packed with tender loving care.

Thanks for your time. Have a wonderful day, and keep reading.