Red River Pulpwood Queens

Official Pulpwood Queen Newsletter - September 2011

2011-09-06T06:45:00.000-07:00

Louisiana Poet Laureate Julie Kane Joining Us in November!

2011-08-29T09:30:00.000-07:00

Save the Date!

Louisiana Poet Laureate Julie Kane, special guest

RRPQ November 29 meeting

Ristorante Guiseppe

6:30pm

Recently, Natchitoches poet and English professor Julie Kane, was selected as the 2011-2013 Louisiana Poet Laureate. She is the author of Jazz Funeral; Rhythm & Booze; and Body and Soul, collections of poetry that celebrates all that is New Orleans. She also contributed to the extraordinary new book New Orleans: What Can't Be Lost, where she joins other notable Louisiana authors in remembering the things, good and bad, about the Crescent City. One of her poems from her book Jazz Funeral is currently featured on the Louisiana Poetry Project online.

An Evening With The Belle Of All Things Southern

2011-08-24T11:42:00.000-07:00

It's not every day that fine dining and spectacular storytelling come together to create a memorable evening for a handful of book club ladies. In Shreveport last night, however, we Red River Pulpwood Queens were elated to have author and funny lady Shellie Rushing Tomlinson join us for dinner at Ristorante Guiseppe. With plenty of copies of her new book in tow, Shellie not only regaled us with funny southernisms and stories about everything from Paula Deen to Auburn football, she also shared her thoughts regarding her deep faith in God, the Mississippi River flooding, and how very much her readers mean to her.

Shellie will be a featured author at the October 29th Louisiana Book Festival in Baton Rouge promoting her new book Sue Ellen's Girl Aint Fat She Just Weighs Heavy as well as her highly popular webcasts, radio shows, and blogs! Visit All Things Southern or find Shellie on Facebook!

The 2011 Louisiana Book Festival Author Line-Up

2011-08-24T11:35:00.000-07:00

The Help on the Big Screen - This Weekend!

2011-08-11T09:57:00.000-07:00

It's finally that time! Kathryn Stockett's highly praised novel The Help will be in theaters everywhere this weekend! Whether you see it with a group of great friends or alone with a bucket of popcorn, take a couple of hours of leisure and make it a RRPQ assignment! I want to know what you think of the movie! Let's discuss it during the next meeting!

How well do you know Kathryn Stockett?

Kathryn Stockett goes by the nickname "Kitty," but she won't mind if you call her Kathryn.

Skeeter and Constantine's relationship and Mae Mobley and Aibileen's are inspired by Stockett's relationship with the black woman who cared for her as a child, Demetrie.

The British cover of The Help features a photo of two black women in white maid's uniforms on either side of a little white girl in a pushchair (a stroller for big-kids). The photo is from The National Congress archives, and was considered too controversial for the US cover. Why do you think that is?

Actress Octavia Spencer has been cast as Minny. This is a good thing, because Minny was actually inspired by Spencer, who is friends with Stockett.

Stockett never imagined her book as a bestseller and says she might have written it differently if she had known that gazillions of people would read it!

The film version of The Help is a collaboration between Stockett and several of her childhood friends, also natives of Mississippi.

Nearly fifty literary agents rejected The Help. It took Stockett five years to find one to represent her. Bet those rejecters are crying now – every time they look at the bestseller lists.

Save the Date, Ya'll!

2011-08-01T07:15:00.000-07:00

Hi Ladies! After having to cancel our July meeting, I just wanted to keep you up to date on what's coming up. Of course, if you watch any kind of tv, you will know that Kathryn Stockett's bestselling novel-turned movie The Help will be in theaters on August 12! If you want to go as a group, just let me know!

Also, hold on to your hats, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, author of Suck Your Stomach In & Put Some Color on and the newest Sue Ellen's Girl Ain't Fat, She Just Weighs Heavy will be joining us for our August meeting! Get ready for some laughs on August 23rd at 6:30pm at Columbia Cafe! I hope you can all make it!

Hurry Less, Worry Less...The Podcast!

2011-05-25T10:58:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you type in Judy Christie's name in an iTunes search engine? A Hurry Less, Worry Less for Families Podcast, of course! Free episodes of encouragement and tips that are short enough for the busiest mom. Subscribe and get one episode a week!

Don't forget to pick up her many books at a bookstore near you!

Have I mentioned that she's a Red River Pulpwood Queen?

Sue Ellen's Facebook Party and We're Invited!

2011-05-25T10:41:00.000-07:00

To celebrate the release of Sue Ellen's Girl Ain't Fat, She Just Weighs Heavy, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson is hosting a Southern style shin-dig! Join her on June 2nd at 5:00 PM PST (6 MST, 7 CST, 8 EST)!

She'll be dishing on Bubba Whispering, debunking the Big Boned Theory, and how to manage going Straight Running Crazy. If you don't know what any of that is, then be sure to pick up a copy of the book (Not necessary to join the fun! Who knows - you might win a copy!) and join her at 5:00 pm on June 2nd at the All Things Southern Facebook page.

And tell your friends - She's giving away copies of her books and some great gift certificates.

Queen Michelle, Here There and Everywhere!

2011-05-09T09:35:00.000-07:00

Red River Pulpwood Queen Michelle McCrary is a devoted wife, mom, and then some. But did you know that she is a writer? Yes, Michelle, I said WRITER. She is currently contributing to the local Minute Magazine, covering the newest popular sport, roller derby. She also edited the horror short story anthology Dead Set: A Zombie Anthology along with Joe McKinney. This book just won third place in the Independent Publisher Book Awards in the category of horror!

Her entire family is one to talk about. Veteran dad, 2 smart boys who have won awards in Kung Fu, and of course Michelle, who hosts the Shreveport Zombie Walk each year to bring in food for the area food banks. Active in their church and community, it is no wonder that Family Circle Magazine (read article here) chose to spotlight the McCrarys in the current, June 2011, issue. Find it on newsstands now! Congrats Queen Michelle!

R.W. Norton Gallery Rare Book Library To Open

2011-05-06T17:13:00.001-07:00

Shreveport Blog, created by local "man about town" Robert Trudeau has reported that the R.W. Norton Gallery of Art is to open a rare book library this summer, highlight being John James Audubon's "The Birds of America". Read the full article here.

Shellie Rushing Tomlinson - Barnes & Noble Event

2011-04-28T13:43:00.000-07:00

Don't miss author and funny lady Shellie Rushing Tomlinson at the Youree Drive Barnes & Noble on May 14 at 6:00pm. She will be signing copies of her newest book, Sue Ellen's Girl Aint Fat, She Just Weighs Heavy. She will also be joining the RRPQs for our August meeting! Stay tuned for more info!

Shakespeare Tragedy (a comedy)

2011-04-23T15:36:00.001-07:00

Pulpwood Queens Favorite Does It Again

2011-04-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, The Belle of All Things Southern, is gracing us with yet another book chock full of funny stories and "advice" for Southern ladies. Praised by comedian Jeff Foxworthy, Sue Ellen's Girl Ain't Fat, She Just Weighs Heavy is a must have! Just check out the trailer!

Literary Events In Shreveport

2011-04-07T10:51:00.000-07:00

Authors in April

April 15, 2011

Pioneer Heritage Center (LSUS campus)

1:00-3:00pm

FREE

Features: Charlotte Hays co-author with Gayden Mecalf on "Being Dead is No Excuse: The Official Southern Ladies Guide to Hosting the Perfect Funeral" (Carey's note: this book is great!!)

Luncheon: Sam's Town Casino April 16, $40 per person. Contact Marty Young at 318-797-5339 for tickets or more information.

Book Signing

"My Cloven Feet" by Chris Jay

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Shreve Memorial Library- Broadmoor Branch

1212 Captain Shreve Drive, Shreveport

FREE

Features: Local author Chris Jay will read and sign his short story collection. Books will be available for purchase at $10 each.

Fore more information call 318-272-1696 or email chris-jay318@gmail.com

Book Signing

"Shelby's Secret" by Eydie Comeaux

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Shreve Memorial Library - Broadmoor Branch

1212 Captain Shreve Drive, Shreveport

FREE

Features: Eydie Comeaux will be reading and signing her novel. Books will be available for purchase at $5 each. More information 318-869-0120.

Christian Writer's Conference - This Weekend!

2011-03-30T08:57:00.000-07:00

The 2011 Christian Writer's Conference is this Friday and Saturday. RRPQ Connie Cox has worked very hard to pull this event together for those who are interested in writing, regardless of genre. Authors include, but are not limited to: Dave and Neta Jackson of the Yada Yada Prayer Group, Lenora Worth, Shelia Goss, Kathy Patrick, Ken Norton and more.

$25 - Saturday 8:30am-3:30pm

Benton United Methodist Church

Benton, LA

FOX 33 - Article

KTAL 6 - Article

RRPQ April Meeting Scheduled

2011-03-23T09:57:00.000-07:00

RRPQ April Meeting

Where: Bistro Byronz, (map)

When: April 28, 2011

Time: 6:30pm

We will be discussing Lisa See's novel Shanghai Girls.

*Special guest will be author and RRPQ member Judie Christie as she talks about her Green series. Goodness Gracious Green is a bonus book for April and can be purchased at the Barnes & Noble on Youree Drive. Judie's schedule is packed to the max, so don't miss this chance to chat with Shreveport's newest big name author!

Arkansas Literary Festival Schedule Released

2011-03-22T14:01:00.000-07:00

The 2011 Arkansas Literary Festival schedule has now been released! This year's festival (in Little Rock) features Charlaine Harris, Peter S. Beagle of the classic The Last Unicorn, Kevin Brockmeier, Eleanor Brown of The Weird Sisters, and an evening with David Sedaris.

Print schedule here.

RRPQ February Newsletter

2011-02-26T10:23:00.000-08:00

RRPQ Makes the Shreveport Times!

2011-02-10T12:06:00.000-08:00

The Red River Pulpwood Queens have been mentioned in the Briefly portion of the Shreveport Times newspaper! We have been noted as being a part of the new Beauty and the Book Show with Kathy Patrick. Read the article HERE.

In Case You Missed It...

2011-02-09T12:37:00.000-08:00

Here is the Beauty and the Book Show episode of author Helen Simonson speaking via Skype with the Red River Pulpwood Queens! Straight from my living room! Enjoy.

Can You Believe It?

2011-02-09T12:33:00.000-08:00

Beauty and the Book Show now has its own billboard! Check it out on Hwy 59 coming into historic Jefferson, TX!

Special Edition of The Pulp!

2011-02-09T10:16:00.000-08:00

The Pulp Special Edition

Watch Beauty and the Book Show Here!

2011-02-09T10:11:00.000-08:00

Missed any episodes of Beauty and the Book Show? View each video by clicking on Beauty and the Book Episodes in red on the left side bar! Enjoy!

Announcing: Christian Writers Conference

2011-02-09T09:44:00.000-08:00

Benton United Methodist Church

April 1, 6:30pm-8:30pm, FREE

April 2, 8:30am-3:30pm, Cost: $25

Author and fellow Pulpwood Queen Connie Cox is proud to announce the first ever Christian Writers Conference in Benton, La. This conference is for writers of all experience levels! Workshops for both fiction and nonfiction will be held by many published authors and experts in their fields. There will even be workshops for those who have never written but aspire to! Authors will also be autographing their books throughout the day. Bookstore will be available on site and a light lunch will be provided. Free childcare for ages 5 and under with pre-registration. More information and registration can be found at www.BentonUnited.org.

Authors attending:

Neta Jackson - Yada Yada Prayer Group series

Dave Jackson - Yada Yada Brotherhood

Kathy Patrick - Author and creator of the Pulpwood Queens book club

More authors TBA

January Meeting - Recap

2011-01-28T10:11:00.000-08:00

The January RRPQ meeting was a complete success! We enjoyed a quiet nook in Abby Singer's Bistro (Robinson Film Center) and had an excellent waitress that took care of our every need. The food was delicious, by the way!

We discussed Pat Conroy's My Reading Life. It was interesting to hear everyone's viewpoints on this book. I thought it was magnificent (I had seen Pat Conroy a couple of weeks earlier, so I may just be biased). A couple of ladies thought that he sounded very full of himself and seemed to drone on and on by the end of the book. Others, being introduced to Pat Conroy for the first time, were interested in finding out more about his other works (aside from Prince of Tides) and to put together the pieces of his life that he captures through his characters. As for Sonny Brewer's Don't Quit Your Day Job: Acclaimed Authors and the Jobs they Quit, everyone was very excited and eager to read it in the future.

We will meet again at Abby Singer's Bistro on Feb. 24, 2011 at 6:30pm and the topic will be Fannie Flagg and her new novel I Still Dream About You. This should be an exciting month! Also, let it be noted that we have decided to meet at a new restaurant every 2 months. So if you have any ideas or have a place that you like, make sure you let me know! See you ladies next month!

January RRPQ Newsletter!

2011-01-28T09:50:00.000-08:00

January Meeting - REMINDER

2011-01-26T10:12:00.000-08:00

January RRPQ Meeting TOMORROW, Jan 27 at 6:30pm at Abby Singer's Bistro (inside the Robinson Film Center). We'll be discussing Pat Conroy's My Reading Life and Sonny Brewer's Don't Quit Your Day Job: Acclaimed Authors and the Jobs they Quit.

See you there!

2011 Girlfriends Weekend Audio!

2011-01-22T15:24:00.000-08:00

Pat Conroy of My Reading Life and South of Broad

Fannie Flagg of Fried Green Tomatoes and I Still Dream About You

Carolyn Turgeon of Godmother and Mermaid.

Karen White of On Folly Beach

Mark E. Green, MD of A Night With Sadaam

Shelly Rushing Tomlinson

Trailer for 2012 Girlfriend Weekend

2011-01-22T15:15:00.000-08:00

Created by Mike Gannon and approved by the Queen herself.

2012 Girlfriend Weekend Theme Announced!

2011-01-20T09:23:00.000-08:00

Message from Queen Kathy Patrick in regards to the 2012 Girlfriend Weekend!

Announcing the BOOK THEME for Girlfriend Weekend 2012! It's "THE GREATEST 'BOOK' SHOW ON EARTH!" Think Sara Gruen's "Water for Elephants", Frank Delaney's "Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show", Melanie Benjamin's "The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb"! Girlfriend Weekend is MAGIC and since I juggle 405 book club daily, ON WITH THE SHOW!

Beauty and the Book Show Update

2011-01-18T10:29:00.000-08:00

Full episodes of the Beauty and the Book Show are now available for viewing on the web. The episode of the Red River Pulpwood Queens speaking with author Helen Simonson (Major Pettigrew's Last Stand) via Skype will be debuting on February 1st! After meeting Helen over the weekend and learning that she was chosen as the Pulpwood Queens book/author of the year, I am so excited to see our episode as it airs for the whole world to see! (I hope my living room was clean enough!)

Invitation: Yada Yada Book Club

2011-01-17T18:20:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, January 26 · 6:30pm- 7:30pm

Location	Benton United Methodist Church 615 Palmetto Road Benton, LA

Created By	Connie Cox

More Info	Club meets each Wed at 6:30pm. Free childcare w/ advance notice! Come for supper for the whole family at 5:30pm. Call Rachel for details. (318) 965-2273

2011 Book Club Selections Announced!

2011-01-11T10:48:00.000-08:00

January Main Selection: My Reading Life by Pat Conroy
January Bonus Selections: Don’t Quit Your Day Job: Acclaimed Authors and the Day Jobs They Quit Edited by Sonny Brewer
They Came to Nashville by Marshall Chapman

February Main Selection: I Still Dream About You by Fannie Flagg
February Bonus Selections: The Miracle of Mercy Land: A Novel by River Jordan
The Perfect Love Song by Patti Callahan Henry
Cheap Cabernet by Cathie Beck

March Main Selection: Clara and Mr. Tiffany by Susan Vreeland
March Bonus Selections: Every Last One by Anna Quindlen
The Sanctuary of Outcasts by Neil White
As the Sycamore Grows by Jennie Helderman

April Main Selection: Shanghai Girls: A Novel by Lisa See
April Bonus Selections: The Inheritance of Beauty by Nicole Seitz
Goodness Gracious Green by Judy Christie
Redefining Beauty by Texas Poet Laureate Karla K. Morton
Mothers & Other Liars by Amy Bourret

May Main Selection: Venetia Kelly’s Traveling Show by Frank Delaney
May Bonus Selections: Royal Blood (A Royal Spyness Mystery) by Rhys Bowen
Mink River: A Novel by Brian Doyle
Larkspur’s Cove by Lisa Wingate

June Main Selection: Georgia Bottoms by Mark Childress
June Bonus Selections: Gone with a Handsomer Man by Michael Lee West
Woof: Women Only Over Fifty by Diana Black and Mary Cunningham
Miss Hildreth Wore Brown: Anecdotes of a Southern Belle by Olivia deBelle Byrd

July Main Selection: The Killing Storm by Kathryn Casey
July Bonus Selections: Heart of Deception: A Novel by M.L. Malcolm
Murder at the Luther by Kathleen Kaska
Thunder Beach by Michael Lister

August Main Selection: The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb by Melanie Benjamin
August Bonus Selections: Paper Children by Marcia Fine
A Cup of Friendship: A Novel by Debbie Rodriguez
Sue Ellen’s Daughter Ain’t Fat, She Just Weighs Heavy: The Belle of All Things Southern Dishes on Men, Money, and Not Losing Your Midlife Mind by Shellie Rushing Tomlinson

Girlfriend Weekend, THIS Week!!!

2011-01-10T11:08:00.000-08:00

It's finally here! After an entire year of waiting, Girlfriend Weekend is finally upon us! First of all, I would like to encourage everyone to come out and support our own Red River Pulpwood Queen Judy Christie as she speaks on a panel on Friday at 11:00am. The topic will be Stories That You Will Fall In Love With The Characters. I can't wait to find out first hand what's new in her Goodness Gracious Green books!

I'm sure you've noticed the incredible Victorian house in the photograph. I will be sharing a room with a fellow RRPQ at the Three Oaks Bed & Breakfast in Marshall, TX. Of course, after waiting until the last minute, there are no rooms available in Jefferson proper, therefore I have ventured 15 miles down the road and come upon one of the oldest B&B's in Marshall.

I am currently sewing a portion of my costume for the Great Big Ball of Hair Ball. My husband will be picking up an important piece of it in Longview, Texas tonight after work. As soon as Shreveport thaws, I will be shopping for accessories. Have no doubt that pictures will be forthcoming.

Have I mentioned that I can't wait to meet Fannie Flagg???!!!!

Beauty and the Book Sneak Peek!

2011-01-08T08:01:00.000-08:00

Pat Conroy's My Reading Life - January 2011 Book Selection

2011-01-01T12:54:00.000-08:00

Pat Conroy, the beloved American storyteller, is also a voracious reader. He has for years kept a notebook in which he notes words or phrases, just from a love of language. But reading for him is not simply a pleasure to be enjoyed in off-hours or a source of inspiration for his own writing. It would hardly be an exaggeration to claim that reading has saved his life, and if not his life then surely his sanity.

In My Reading Life, Conroy revisits a life of passionate reading. He includes wonderful anecdotes from his school days, moving accounts of how reading pulled him through dark times, and even lists of books that particularly influenced him at various stages of his life, including grammar school, high school, and college. Readers will be enchanted with his ruminations on reading and books, and want to own and share this perfect gift book for the holidays. And, come graduation time, My Reading Life will establish itself as a perennial favorite, as did Dr. Seuss’s Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

RRPQ December Newsletter

2010-12-16T15:53:00.000-08:00

Best-Seller "Water For Elephants" to Be 2011 Film

2010-12-16T11:45:00.000-08:00

Water for Elephants Trailer
Uploaded by teasertrailer. - Full seasons and entire episodes online.

Reminder: RRPQ December Meeting!

2010-12-13T13:40:00.000-08:00

The December RRPQ Meeting will be on Thursday, Dec. 16th at Monjuni's on La. Avenue, 6:30pm. We will be discussing the book The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman. See you there!

Queen Kathy's Newsletter - The Pulp, December

2010-12-09T11:22:00.000-08:00

The Pulp December

Queen Carey's Homage to Book Festivals, Pg. 5

2010-11-30T14:43:00.000-08:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More louisiana

RRPQ November Newsletter

2010-11-19T11:40:00.000-08:00

RRPQ November Newsletter

Book Signing At The Book Merchant- Nov. 20

2010-11-18T15:16:00.000-08:00

Poet Julie Kane will be signing copies of the WONDERFUL book, New Orleans: What Can't Be Lost at 11:30am at the Book Merchant in Natchitoches on Saturday, Nov. 20. This remarkable book of 88 short stories is a love story to the city of New Orleans and what it means to live and love the Crescent City. Trust me, this book is one that every Louisianan should own!

Julie Kane is the author of the poetry collection Jazz Funeral.

The Book Merchant

512 Front Street

Natchitoches, LA

To Kill A Mockingbird with the RRPQ

2010-11-17T08:16:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, November 16, Queen Carey, Queen Michelle, and her mother (and potential member) Debbie attended the matinee screening at the Robinson Film Center of the classic To Kill A Mockingbird starring the one and only Gregory Peck...the theater was packed. We were there from the beginning when Scout went rolling inside of a tire onto the Radley's front steps all the way to the end, when Scout, dressed in a ham costume watched her brother be saved by the likes of Boo Radley himself (Robert Duvall's first acting role). Afterwards we attended the luncheon upstairs in Abby Singer's Bistro where we dined on roast beef, sweet potatoes, green beans, and yummy brownies...a true Southern feast in more ways than one. For more photos see RRPQ Photos on the sidebar.

REMINDER - November Meeting Thursday Night!

2010-11-17T05:22:00.000-08:00

November RRPQ Meeting

This Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010

6:30pm

Monjuni's Italian Cafe

We will be discussing Karen Essex's book Dracula in Love and voting for Pulpwood Queens' books of the year. Don't miss it!

Reminder - To Kill A Mockingbird at the Robinson

2010-11-10T10:11:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder!

To Kill A Mockingbird will be showing at the Robinson Film Center in downtown Shreveport for one day only for special groups. To get your ticket, click here. Show your RRPQ pride and wear your pink t-shirts for photo ops.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

10:30am

$14.00 for show and luncheon

The Pulp - Official Pulpwood Queens Newsletter

2010-11-06T18:56:00.000-07:00

The Pulp - November

Just Announced: The Official 2011 Girlfriend Weekend Program!

2010-11-05T10:26:00.000-07:00

2011 Girlfriend Weekend Official Program

Books Alive 2010

2010-11-04T08:41:00.000-07:00

It's almost time for the Christian and Inspirational Book Festival, BOOKS ALIVE, November 12-14, 2010! As we ready for the big event which will be held at the First United Methodist Church of historic Jefferson, Texas, Kathy will be showcasing an author a day!

Get your tickets today! ! Those who pre-register and pay will receive a FREE BOOK courtesy of Beauty and the Book, Kathy's Hair Salon/Bookstore. This event was created as a total fundraiser for Kathy's church to help fund it's wonderful mission and outreach programs.

Authors include:

Sam Bracken & Echo Garrett (My Orange Duffel Bag)

Missy Buchanan (Living with a Purpose in a Worn Out Body)

Red River Pulpwood Queen - Judy Christie (Hurry Less, Worry Less; Green novels)

Dr. Mark Green (A Night With Saddam)

Karla K. Morton (Redefining Beauty)

Carla Stewart (Chasing Lilacs: A Novel)

Online Writing Class With Queen Connie!

2010-11-02T07:47:00.000-07:00

Red River Pulpwood Queen Connie Cox will be teaching an online class through Passionate Ink online writing chapter called And Then What Happened–Constructing Scenes and Sequels that Keep Your Story Moving Forwardwhich pretty much describes the class.

If you want to write, but don’t know how to start. Or you’ve started your story and don’t know how to keep it going, this is for you.

Online classes start November 8th. Lessons are posted once a week through December 5th for a total of 4 lessons with daily online feedback. Lessons are conducted through a private, by-invitation-only email loop.

Cost: $15 for Passionate Ink Members, $20 for non-members
To Pay Online : Using PayPal (PayPal), send payment to
workshops@passionateink.org
with “WORKSHOP – What Happened” as the subject. In the “message” section, include Your Name and Email Address. Or email me for instructions if you want to pay by check.

All Hallow's Read - A Trick Or Treat Alternative

2010-10-29T07:33:00.000-07:00

Give a book this Halloween instead of sugary candy!

This new website All Hallow's Read, provides all of the details on how to share the gift of reading this Halloween. Simply give one child a scary book instead of a fist full of candy...simple as that. Download cute gift tags directly from the site. So start a new tradition that you can be proud of!

2010-10-26T08:49:00.000-07:00

Acadiana Book Festival

Saturday, October 30, 2010

8:00am-5:00pm

Cite des Arts, Lafayette, LA

Program includes complete schedule and author bios! (My bio is on pg. 14)

Acadiana Book Festival Program

Southern Living And Fannie Flagg

2010-10-25T11:46:00.000-07:00

Fannie Flagg, the beloved writer of Fried Green Tomatoes, is set to be a guest at the 2011 Girlfriend Weekend...to the delight of many, many Pulpwood Queens.

In the meantime, with the upcoming release of her new book I Still Dream About You, the November issue of Southern Living Magazine has done a wonderful job of showcasing her hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. Read the interview with Fannie about her newest protagonist, Maggie, and even read an excerpt from the book!

Read the article here.

To Kill A Mockingbird - 1 Day Only Event!

2010-10-20T14:10:00.000-07:00

To Kill A Mockingbird

Robinson Film Center

10:30 am

November 16, 2010

A special screening of To Kill A Mockingbird will be shown at the Robinson Film Center in downtown Shreveport on November 16 for seniors and special groups. The Red River Pulpwood Queens have been given permission to attend this one day only event! If you would like to attend, please let me know so that we can plan it as a group. Tickets will go on sale soon! Plan for lunch at Abby Singer's Bistro upstairs.

Skype Interview - A Smashing Success!

2010-10-16T09:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday evening, October 15, was the scheduled Skype interview with author Helen Simonson for Kathy Patrick's upcoming show Beauty and the Book. (The premiere episode will be unveiled at the 2011 Girlfriend Weekend!)

Several of the regular Red River PQ's were unavailable for the interview, however, Queens Connie, Judy, and Leslie were on hand to join me for almost an hour as the Skype conversation was being recorded.

Author Helen Simonson of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, was such a team player and provided detailed and informative answers to our Queens' many interesting questions. It was exciting to find out that Helen will, indeed, be participating in the 2011 Girlfriend Weekend! So everyone get your books ready to be signed!!

I thank you very much to the ladies who participated, to Helen Simonson for humoring us through all of our questions and camera issues, and to Queen Kathy Patrick for allowing us such a great opportunity!

Video: Karen Essex with the Pulpwood Queens

2010-10-15T09:13:00.000-07:00

Video from the Victorian Dinner with Karen Essex. She discusses her inspirations and life. Afterwards, several guests perform an impromptu play that Karen adapted just for this occasion. (See Author Video to see Part 2)

RRPQ October Newsletter

2010-10-15T09:10:00.001-07:00

Red River Pulpwood Queens October Newsletter

Reminder: October Meeting!

2010-10-13T10:05:00.001-07:00

Red River Pulpwood Queen October Meeting

October 14, 2010

6:30pm

Monjuni's (Louisiana Ave., Shreveport)

map

Please join us as we will be discussing Helen Simonson's debut novel Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. The meeting will be chock full of surprises and exciting news about the 2011 Girlfriend Weekend. You don't want to miss it!

A Victorian Evening with Karen Essex

2010-10-13T09:36:00.000-07:00

Tuesday night (October 12) was an incredible evening. Pulpwood Queens from Jefferson, TX, Linden, TX, and Shreveport arrived at the Austin Street Bistro in downtown Jefferson for an authentic Victorian dinner with bestselling author Karen Essex. All of the ladies were dressed beautifully and it was a delight to see the impromptu play that Karen had created just for the event, inspired by her book Dracula In Love. We enjoyed a delightful four-course dinner of soup, salad, baked chicken with couscous, and coffee with gingerbread cake.

If you didn't get a chance to meet Karen at the dinner, do not fret as she will be attending Girlfriend Weekend in January! In the meantime, you can purchase Dracula In Love at Beauty and the Book or your local Barnes & Noble.

Reminder: Victorian Dinner with Karen Essex

2010-10-11T08:59:00.001-07:00

Victorian Dinner

with Dracula In Love author Karen Essex

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

6:30pm

Austin Street Bistro

Jefferson TX

map

Dinner is $25

Contact Carey or Kathy Patrick to RSVP, limited space available; Victorian/Gothic dress is preferred.

A Shout Out To A Red River Pulpwood Queen!

2010-09-30T14:46:00.000-07:00

The October edition of Louisiana Road Trips magazine is now available for viewing online! In this issue, Queen Carey's column Peculiar Jaunts introduces readers to author and Red River Pulpwood Queen Michelle McCrary (also known to friends as the "Shreveport Zombie Queen"). She will be playing the lead role in the upcoming production of Night of the Living Dead in Bossier City at the end of October. Check out pg. 25!

October Book Selection

2010-09-26T10:40:00.000-07:00

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

by Helen Simonson

You are about to travel to Edgecombe St. Mary, a small village in the English countryside filled with rolling hills, thatched cottages, and a cast of characters both hilariously original and as familiar as the members of your own family. Among them is Major Ernest Pettigrew (retired), the unlikely hero of Helen Simonson's wondrous debut. Wry, courtly, opinionated, and completely endearing, Major Pettigrew is one of the most indelible characters in contemporary fiction, and from the very first page of this remarkable novel he will steal your heart.

The Major leads a quiet life valuing the proper things that Englishmen have lived by for generations: honor, duty, decorum, and a properly brewed cup of tea. But then his brother's death sparks an unexpected friendship with Mrs. Jasmina Ali, the Pakistani shopkeeper from the village. Drawn together by their shared love of literature and the loss of their respective spouses, the Major and Mrs. Ali soon find their friendship blossoming into something more. But village society insists on embracing him as the quintessential local and her as the permanent foreigner. Can their relationship survive the risks one takes when pursuing happiness in the face of culture and tradition?

September Red River Pulpwood Queens Newsletter

2010-09-22T06:47:00.001-07:00

September Newsletter

Recap: September Meeting

2010-09-22T06:24:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone that ventured out to Monjuni's last night for the September Red River Pulpwood Queens meeting! I believe it was a nice respite for all of us.

We discussed the book The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O'Connor McNees. In the novel Louisa is a determined, free spirit who refuses to conform to the roles that society has laid out for women during the late 1800s. She is adamant about becoming an independent writer. Queen Connie provided a good bit of insight on the topic of female writing seeing that she is a published writer in her own right. We threw around the idea of "Would Louisa's writing have been different if she had not been writing primarily to sell" . We also discussed why she decided to take measures to conceal her personal life from the public and how this seems to somewhat parallel author Harper Lee's lifestyle.

For October we will be reading Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson. Everyone seemed to enjoy our new meeting location, Monjuni's on Louisiana Ave., in which we will gather again on October 14, 2010 at 6:30pm. The Shreveport library has several copies of the October book selection, so start reading ladies!

NOLA STARS Workshop

2010-09-22T06:06:00.000-07:00

Shout out to everyone who wants to come--Romance Writers of America's North Louisiana chapter, NOLA STARS, is hosting a writers' boot camp, open to the public, Saturday October 9th from 9:30 to 2:00pm at the Main Bossier Parish Library. Bring a sack lunch. Drinks and desserts provided. Contact Connie Cox for more information.

Jewell Parker Rhodes on the Today Show

2010-09-20T16:09:00.000-07:00

Author Jewell Parker Rhodes made an appearance on the Today show this morning, discussing her book Ninth Ward as a part of Al's Book Club for Kids. Jewell has graciously donated a copy of her new book to the Red River Pulpwood Queens. If you would like to read Ninth Ward, please contact me to get your name put on the list.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Reminder: September Meeting!

2010-09-18T11:21:00.000-07:00

Red River Pulpwood Queens - September Meeting

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

6:30pm

Monjuni's Italian Cafe

1315 Louisiana Ave.

Shreveport, LA

map

Acadiana Book Festival - Coming in October!

2010-09-16T17:03:00.000-07:00

The Writer’s Guild of Acadiana in Lafayette will host the Acadiana Book Festival from 8:00am-5:00pm on Saturday, October 30, 2010 at Cite des Arts (109 Vine St.) in downtown Lafayette.

The festival is free and open to the public!

Dozens of Louisiana authors are scheduled to participate. Poet Laureate Darrell Bourque will speak along with poet Ava Leavell Haymon, plus there will be presentations by mystery authors, novelists, cookbook creators, and children’s book authors. Christee Gabour Atwood, a motivational speaker radio personality, and author will present a one-woman show in connection with her book release In Celebration of Elastic Waistbands.

Authors include: Christa Allan, Tom Aswell, Christee Gabour Atwood, Marcelle Bienvenu, Jim Booksh, Darrell Bourque, Carl Brasseaux, Anne Butler, Morena Johnson Caleb, Henry Cacienne, Chere Dastugue Coen, Barbara Colley, Sheila Herbert Collins, Donald W. Davis, Mark F. DeWitt, Ann B. Dobie, Terri Hoover Dunham, Woody Falgout, Mary Gelham, D.B. Grady, Greg Guirard, Ava Leavell Haymon, Brandon Hebert, Carla Hotsetter, Patrice Melnick, John Morella, Erin Osborne, Rose Anne St. Romain, Carolyn Shelton, Theresa Newport Singleton, Don Stanford, Carey Weeks, and Beverly Vidrine.

LSU Press, ULL Press, and Margaret Media Press will participate as well as several self-published authors, literary organizations, and authors will small presses. (information from Louisiana Book News)

Louisa May Alcott, A Lost Summer Found-September Book Selection

2010-09-06T12:12:00.000-07:00

"Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead." - Louisa May Alcott

The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott - by Kelly O'Connor McNees

In the bestselling tradition of Loving Frank and March comes a novel for anyone who loves Little Women. Millions of readers have fallen in love with Little Women. But how could Louisa May Alcott-who never had a romance-write so convincingly of love and heart-break without experiencing it herself? Deftly mixing fact and fiction, Kelly O'Connor McNees imagines a love affair that would threaten Louisa's writing career-and inspire the story of Jo and Laurie in Little Women. Stuck in small-town New Hampshire in 1855, Louisa finds herself torn between a love that takes her by surprise and her dream of independence as a writer in Boston. The choice she must make comes with a steep price that she will pay for the rest of her life. (Barnes & Noble)

The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott was chosen for Oprah's 2010 Summer reading list!

August Meeting Commemorates Katrina

2010-09-01T20:16:00.000-07:00

"Water. Beginning and end of life in New Orleans. Just as floodwater seeped into places even light could not go, Katrina's aftermath found the weaknesses of any relationship and drove the wedges. Much as we like to brandish the cliche' that the storm brought us together--and it did on many collective levels the world over--it tore us apart on individual levels just as easily. And it is with these conflicts of the heart, within ourselves, our relationships, our communities, our city, that the artist finds fertile ground, not only for relief by fitting the conflict into words, but healing by sharing those words. " - (excerpt from Life in the Wake: Fiction from Post-Katrina New Orleans, NOLAFugees.com)

The Red River Pulpwood Queens held its August meeting on the 31st, just two days after the ever-changing Hurricane Katrina made landfall, 5 years ago now. We began with a gentle reminder that on this particular week in 2005, thousands of innocent people clung to roof tops and drowned in murky water. Families and homes were torn apart and we are left only to recover and reminisce.

Our usual place to meet each month is Columbia Cafe, an artsy little place in Shreveport that has always treated us marvelously. Last night, considering our topic of discussion, we were greeted with less than comfortable accommodations. The room was barely lit, the service was slow, and we spent the entire evening sweating from the heat of the cramped space. During a round of bright blue hurricane drinks, I read an excerpt from James Lee Burke's The Tin Roof Blowdown to set the scene for the book selection of the month, Zeitoun by Dave Eggers. We were also joined by our group's newest member, Ark-La-Tex author Connie Cox! We also talked about our new monthly newsletter keeping members up-to-date on events and book news.

As for next month, we will be meeting for Italian dinner; a new book as well as a new place. See you there!

NEW! First Monthly RRPQ Newsletter!

2010-09-01T08:53:00.000-07:00

(Upcoming newsletters will be listed for viewing at the top left of the blog home page)
RRPQ August Newsletter

Texas Book Festival Line-Up Announced!

2010-08-26T10:07:00.001-07:00

The Texas Book Festival in Austin has officially announced it's star-studded line-up for this year's book festival. Mark your calendars for October 16-17 State Capital Building in Austin, Texas!

The list of authors is too long to share on this blog, but you can look at the entire list here. Some of the bigger names include Laura Bush, Alton Brown, Justin Cronin, Robin Oliviera (Pulpwood Queen Selection!), Abraham Verghese (Pulpwood Queen Selection!), and much more! You can click on each name on the list to view a full bio on the author.

New Book Festival This October!

2010-08-22T12:24:00.000-07:00

Acadiana Book Festival

8:00am-5:00pm Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010

Cite' des Arts, downtown Lafayette

Admission: Free

For all of you who have been disappointed that the Louisiana Book Festival has been put on hold, have no fear...the Acadiana Book Festival is here! It will be full of author presentations, signings, and even a panel featuring yours truly! More information will be announced soon, so mark your calendars!

Spooky Shreveport - Book Signing

2010-08-19T14:23:00.000-07:00

Dr. Gary Joiner & Dr. Cheryl White will be signing their new book Historic Haunts of Shreveport on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at the Broadmoor Branch Library from 1:00pm-3:00pm.

Click here for directions.

Drs. Joiner and White teamed up with Louisiana Spirits paranormal group to try and discover the dark history of Shreveport. In a recent article, White stressed that this is not a book about ghosts, but a history of the city that happens to include mysterious happenings. Some of the locations that made the cut in the book is, of course, the Municipal Auditorium and the Logan Mansion. According to the article, the book will be followed by the release of Wicked Shreveport.

Author Event Takes A Bite Out Of October!

2010-08-15T08:20:00.000-07:00

"Reader, you are about to enter a world that exists simultaneous with your own. But be warned: in its realm, there are no rules, and there is certainly no neat formula to become—or to destroy—one who has risen above the human condition…The truth is, we must fear monsters less and be warier of our own kind." - (Dracula In Love)

Queen Kathy Patrick has just announced that author Karen Essex will be attending the October Pulpwood Queen Meeting at Beauty and the Book in Jefferson, TX. Karen is the author of a truly Gothic vampire tale called Dracula In Love that will certainly make for some spooky Halloween reading!Read an excerpt of the novel here.

And if that is not enough, Queen Kathy is preparing for an entirely Victorian meeting full of surprises!

Place: Beauty and the Book

Jefferson, Texas

Date: TBA

Time: TBA

HBO Documentary - Katrina 5yrs Later

2010-08-13T07:27:00.000-07:00

The Follow-up of Spike Lee's award winning documentary "When The Levees Broke" will premiere on HBO on August 23-24.

According to the Times Picayune: The new documentary, titled “If God is Willing and Da Creek Don’t Rise,” will premiere on HBO in two parts on August 23 and 24. The first and fourth hours of the film, which revisits many of the people viewers met in “Levees,” will be screened at the New Orleans event. Other segments recount the New Orleans Saints’ Super Bowl victory, examine efforts to overhaul New Orleans’ public housing and public schools, crime, the Make It Right Foundation’s work in the Lower 9th Ward and Mississippi Gulf Coast recovery.

Most of the entire fourth hour of the film is dedicated to the BP oil spill and its aftermath.

Trailer

NOLA STARS - Meeting

2010-08-13T06:45:00.000-07:00

NOLA STARs

North Louisiana StoryTellers and Authors of Romance

August Meeting: August 14, 2010

10:00am

Bossier Parish Library (History Center)

2206 Beckett St.

Bossier City, LA

(318)746-1693

Al's Book Club For Kids Selection

2010-08-05T08:15:00.000-07:00

The Today Show's Al Roker has chosen my sweet friend Jewell Parker Rhodes' new young readers novel Ninth Ward to be a part of his popular Al's Book Club For Kids!

You can read The Today Show page about it here.

Jewell Parker Rhodes Shares Book With RRPQ!

2010-08-04T10:29:00.000-07:00

Author Jewell Parker Rhodes has sent the Red River Pulpwood Queens an advanced reader's copy of her new young readers book Ninth Ward for us to share with each other!

Those interested can contact me carey.weeks@gmail.com to get your name put on the sharing list!

Queen Carey Remembers Mrs. Vera

2010-08-03T14:15:00.000-07:00

Since our topic for August is Hurricane Katrina, I am proud to announce that my article in this month's Louisiana Road Trips magazine pays homage to one of the many who did not survive the storm. On page 18, my article Mrs. Vera: The Patron Saint of Hurricane Katrina, tells the story of Vera Smith, an average woman whose death encompasses the violence and corruption in early post-Katrina.

An Evening with Allen Whitley - Tuscumbia, AL

2010-07-29T11:17:00.000-07:00

It is old news that I am an Allen Whitley "groupie". I have joked recently that I even follow him across the South for signings. (although I actually showed up in Alabama first) Olivia Wright, the Head Pulpwood Queen of the Heart of Dixie chapter was able to get Allen set up several different signings in Alabama and Mississippi this week to promote his new book Where Southern Cross The Dog. She and I drove into Tuscumbia, Alabama...hometown of Hellen Keller and blues musician W.C. Handy, for Allen's first official book signing at Cold Water Books (a building dating back to the 1800s).

After a successful night of selling and signing books, Allen, Olivia, our friend Merry, and I walked around the block to a quaint Italian restaurant called Frank's Italian for a celebratory dinner. We enjoyed the bread, pasta, and wine until it was obvious that the waitress was eager to turn the table. Today, Allen is signing more books in Tupelo, Mississippi (the birth place of Elvis).

Jewell Parker Rhodes Signing - Baton Rouge

2010-07-29T11:01:00.000-07:00

My sweet friend and author Jewell Parker Rhodes will be signing her new children's book Ninth Ward at Barnes & Noble in Baton Rouge on September 28, 2010! She had been scheduled to attend the 2008 and 2009 Shreveport Book Festival but was unable to attend. She is author of the Marie Laveau series that includes Voodoo Dreams, Voodoo Season, and Yellow Moon with a 4th book on the way! Laissez les bons temps rouler dear Jewell, the Red River Queens will see you in September!

Synopsis
Twelve-year-old Lanesha lives in a tight-knit community in New Orleans' Ninth Ward. She doesn't have a fancy house like her uptown family or lots of friends like the other kids on her street. But what she does have is Mama Ya-Ya, her fiercely loving caretaker, wise in the ways of the world and able to predict the future. So when Mama Ya-Ya's visions show a powerful hurricane--Katrina--fast approaching, it's up to Lanesha to call upon the hope and strength Mama Ya-Ya has given her to help them both survive the storm.
Ninth Ward is a deeply emotional story about transformation and a celebration of resilience, friendship, and family--as only love can define it.

Katrina Documentary On LPB

2010-07-22T08:51:00.000-07:00

Tonight, July 22, on LPB (channel 11 for Comcast users) a new documentary about the Katrina aftermath 5 years later will be airing at 10:00pm, called New Orleans: Been In The Storm Too Long. Tavis Smiley's website has a plethora of interviews and videos to accompany the broadcast.

In addition to revisiting some of the people Smiley and Oscar-winning director Jonathan Demme have been chronicling all along, the special contains new interviews with Ellis and Branford Marsalis, “Treme’s” John Goodman, Wendell Pierce and Allen Toussaint, Ruby Bridges and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, among others. (Nola.com)

July 2010 RRPQ Meeting-Recap

2010-07-21T09:28:00.000-07:00

I'd like to start by thanking the wonderful ladies who ventured out to Columbia Cafe last night for our July meeting! I think we all had a wonderful time and as always, enjoyed an exciting meal. The Southern Belle Peach Salad was to die for!

We began the meeting with handouts...how could we not? Ha! I created card stock book marks to share with everyone as well as a slip of information about August's book selection Zeitoun by Dave Eggars. If you weren't able to attend the meeting, on the top left corner of this page, you can click to print your own book marks as needed as a pdf file! Feel free to share them with your friends!

This month new member Wanda joined us. She is a friend of Suzie's and, as it turns out, she was once in a quilting club with Leslie! Welcome to the club Wanda (her birthday is the day of the next meeting, wink wink)!

Before we began talking about the July book selection, I talked a good bit about an article I read in the current issue of Louisiana Cultural Vistas magazine (you can pick one up at Barnes & Noble or you can click here to read the online version). The article is titled Grace King, Le Petit Salon by Mary Ann Wilson. It talks about a popular literary club that began in New Orleans in 1924 with members such as Kate Chopin, Sherwood Anderson, George Washington Cable, Lafcadio Hearn, Dorothy Dix, Tennessee Williams, and even Eleanor Roosevelt. In the 1800s, early 1900s, clubs of this description were not called "book clubs", but literary "SALONS". The salon in New Orleans eventually bought a cute little house that became the home base for the salon. Ladies wore their finest, furs, chiffons, crepes, gloves, etc. At the meeting, we longingly talked about what kind of "home base" we would aspire to have for ourselves and that when winter time comes, we would like to dress in our finest (furs, pearls, etc.) for a lady-like tea or something of that description.

We also discussed Girlfriend Weekend 2011. The theme is "it's all about the book" and each chapter is encouraged to come dressed as characters from a book of their choosing. We have started a list and will be open to suggestions for the following months so as to narrow down and make a choice closer to GF Weekend.

As for the book The Recipe Club: A Tale of Food and Friendship, we all seemed to agree that the characters were petty and juvenile. None of us enjoyed reading a book of argumentative letters that seemed to drudge up our own past skeletons in our closets. On August 31, same place, same time, we will discuss the book Zeitoun by Dave Eggars (now in paperback) as well as The Year Before the Flood by Ned Sublette, and Yazoo Blues by Shreveport favorite John Pritchard. The staff at Columbia Cafe has offered to make us all Hurricanes to sip on during our meeting! So don't miss it!

P.S. All members will have the opportunity to share any book-related news, read anything they have written lately (even if it is a newsletter or journal entry), so if it's important to YOU, then it is important to our "Salon".

Allen Whitley's MS-AL Book Tour!

2010-07-20T09:17:00.000-07:00

Join Austin, Texas author Allen Whitley, a Pulpwood Queens favorite, as he treks across Mississippi and Alabama promoting and signing his new novel Where Southern Cross The Dog! Click on the bookstores below to find out more!

Cold Water Books - Tuscumbia, AL - Wed. July 28th - 4:00-6:00

(I will be at Cold Water Books that evening if anyone needs more info about the Red River Pulpwood Queens!)

Reed's Gum Tree Bookstore - Tupelo, MS - Thurs. July 29th - 12:00-1:30

The Little Professor - Homewood (B'ham) AL - Fri. July 30th - 12:00-2:00

July 2010 RRPQ Meeting - Tomorrow Night!

2010-07-19T08:13:00.001-07:00

Just a reminder that the next Red River Pulpwood Queen meeting will be Tuesday night (July 20) at6:30, Columbia Cafe in Shreveport.

We will be discussing the novel The Recipe Club. See you ladies there...with crowns on!

Lunch With The Editor - Has Been Cancelled

2010-07-16T07:32:00.000-07:00

Lunch with the Editor event at the Ouachita Parish Public Library set for Friday (July 23, 12:00pm) has been cancelled due to Editor/Author Dr. Janet Allured ill health. She was to discuss the book Louisiana Women while guests enjoy a Cajun jambalaya lunch.

The Red River Pulpwood Queens hope Dr. Allured can make a speedy recovery so that we can visit with her at some other point in time.

Green's The Word For Pulpwood Queen Judy Christie

2010-07-15T15:34:00.000-07:00

Red River Pulpwood Queens' own Judy Christie is on the verge of launching the second book in her Green series. First it was Gone To Green, now we have Goodness Gracious Green with a third book on the way for 2011! Visit Judy's official website to sign up for her exciting newsletter! You can pick up a copy of Judy's Green books at future Red River Pulpwood Queen meetings or at these events:

Saturday, August 7, 10:30 a.m. -- 1 p.m., Barnes & Noble in Shreveport. Launch of “Goodness Gracious Green.”
August 14, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Book signing, Rosewood Gifts, Stonewall, La. with Lenora Worth, inspirational romance author and dear friend!
Keynote speaker for state 4H leaders, August 18.
Louisiana Conference, United Methodist Church, Women Clergy, retreat leader, August 31. “Cultivating My Leadership from the Inside Out – God’s Good Way for Life & Ministry.”
Sept. 4, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Book signing, The Book Merchant, Natchitoches, with friend and author Christa Allan.

New! Listen To Book Festival Authors

2010-07-15T11:19:00.000-07:00

Just because the Louisiana Book Festival in Baton Rouge and the Author Author book festival in Shreveport have had to close their doors, it doesn't mean that you can't listen to some of the best recordings of the 2009 guest authors! From Rick Bragg, Charlaine Harris, Chef John Besh, and more.

Simply click on Author Audio on the top left side of the home page. Then scroll down to find the audio player that you are interested in listening to. (Sometimes the play button can be a little irritating, so be patient with it. You may need to refresh the page before going on to the next audio clip)

I hope you enjoy this new feature and if you have any audio or video you'd like to share, just send it my way!

5 Years Later, More Great Reads

2010-07-08T10:57:00.000-07:00

Just like the Saints winning the Super Bowl or the oil spill crises, Hurricane Katrina is an event that Louisianans are not likely to ever forget. We are leading up to the 5 year anniversary of this natural AND man-made disaster this August. So it is only fitting that the Pulpwood Queens book club pays its respects by reading some of the outstanding bodies of work that capture the essence of human tragedy and rebirth.

My friend and author Tom Piazza (he is also one of the writers for the HBO post-Katrina series Treme), posted a fantastic article link on Facebook that discusses book clubs' selections for commemorating the Katrina anniversary. To be specific, the article lists some essentials of a Hurricane Katrina library:

- City of Refuge by Tom Piazza (historical fiction)

- 1 Dead In Attic by Chris Rose (non-fiction)

- Nine Lives by Dan Baum (non-fiction that reads as fiction)

- Zeitoun by Dave Eggars (the Pulpwood Queens August selection, now in paperback)

and more...

I plan to attempt to put together a full Katrina reading list for the August meeting for anyone who wants to explore the topic further.

LA Road Trips Magazine - Buzz On B&B

2010-07-03T13:19:00.000-07:00

For the July issue of Louisiana Road Trips magazine, I decided to use my column Peculiar Jaunts to share my experience travelling across the state line to Queen Kathy Patrick's bookstore/salon Beauty and the Book. While there I met a wonderful new Southern writer Allen Whitley (see older posts) from Austin, Texas. He will soon be signing books all across Alabama and Mississippi to promote his new book Where Southern Cross the Dog. You can pick up signed copies at Beauty and the Book.

Food & Fiction: July Book Selection

2010-07-01T14:49:00.000-07:00

The Recipe Club: A Tale of Food and Friendship

by: Andrea Israel & Nancy Garfinkel

(hardback)

Find out your food and friendship personality...Take the quiz!

THE RECIPE CLUB is a “novel cookbook,” a deliciously funny, touching story of friendship, loss, and the ties that bind—with more than 80 recipes that keep the plot cooking. Compellingly readable, this heartfelt story celebrates the resilience and power of women’s friendships. It’s a charming pastiche of e-mails, hand-written childhood letters, third-person narration, photographs, illustration, and more than 80 delicious recipes. (official website)

“Each friend represents a world in us,
a world possibly not born until they arrive,
and it is only by this meeting
that a new world is born.”
—anaïs nin

June Red River Pulpwood Queen Meeting

2010-06-30T08:52:00.000-07:00

I'd like to say "thank you" to all of you ladies who joined me at Columbia Cafe last night for a great dinner and book discussion. I hope you all had as wonderful a time as I did! I know several of queens had other obligations so here is the recap from the meeting:

Longtime member Suzanne Creech joined us and was excited to tell us about her new career as a florist! Horror author Michelle McCrary became a member last night and was eager to help us out in the debate between traditional paper books and digital readers.

The novel Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese was our main topic for the evening. Some of us had finished it, some of us had not, but the topics were interesting enough that no one was left out of the discussions. For example, this novel creates a vivid picture of Ethiopian female medical practices, so we were left to ponder the differences between medicine in America as opposed to third world countries and if we, as modern women, could ever endure things such as no anesthesia or primitive birthing practices. We also tried to consider the human side of doctors in general and how easy or hard it would be to be able to separate work from emotions. Another question that we pondered was why the topic of religion was not as prominent in the novel as one would expect when reading about characters named Shiva and Sister Mary Joseph Praise.

While dining on tarragon chicken salad, cheese plates, mushroom soup, and desserts of creme brule and pecan pie, we talked briefly about the Louisiana Book Festival's choice to close this year and a possible road trip mid October to the Texas Book Festival in Austin.

I look forward to seeing you all in July as we discuss The Recipe Club: A Tale of Food and Friendship by Andrea Israel & Nancy Garfinkel. We will continue to share our top 15 Favorite Books lists as the months go along.

Upcoming RRPQ Meeting!

2010-06-25T14:10:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that the next Red River Pulpwood Queen meeting will be Tuesday night (June 29) at 6:30, Columbia Cafe in Shreveport.

We will be discussing Abraham Verghese's novel Cutting For Stone as well as sharing our 15 Favorite Books lists (make sure you bring your list! For those who can't make it, make sure you bring your list next time!). See you ladies there...with crowns on!

Author Allen Whitley At Beauty And The Book

2010-06-19T15:50:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you cross a writer, blues music and a stylish beauty salon? Lots of fun! Author Allen Whitley traveled to Jefferson, Texas all the way from Austin to promote his new book and CD Where Southern Cross the Dog. With his blues music playing in the background and his pen at the ready, I found Allen to be friendly, charming and eager to find out more about his public rather than gloating about his writing career. After spending the afternoon signing books at Queen Kathy Patrick's salon Beauty and the Book, this up-and-coming shining star in Southern fiction joined Kathy and her husband Jay for an evening of music and fun at the T-Bone Walker Blues Festival in Music City, TX. Contact Kathy Patrick to get your own signed copy of Where Southern Cross the Dog today!

Support La Author, Gulf

2010-06-16T09:26:00.000-07:00

25% of proceeds from signed copies of The Sound of Building Coffins by New Orleans author Louis Maistros sold in his Ebay Store will be donated to America's Wetland Foundation to help clean up the Gulf oil spill. Purchase MUST be made using here for the donation to be made. Louis attended the 2009 Author! Author! Shreveport book festival as well as the 2009 Louisiana Book Festival.

What Are You Reading Now?

2010-06-15T09:30:00.000-07:00

Finished with the June book selection? Reading something alongside Abraham Verghese's Cutting For Stone? I always keep a pile of books on my bedside table. What's in your pile?

What Queen Carey is reading:

In the Sanctuary of Outcasts by Neil White (now in paperback)

Delta Blues edited by Carolyn Haines

Oxford American magazine

Blues & Books - Special Event!

2010-06-13T09:55:00.000-07:00

Beauty and the Book is please to announce author, Allen Whitley of Where Southern Cross the Dog, (book and blues CD) will be doing a book signing Saturday, June 19, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Beauty and the Book, 608 North Polk Street, Jefferson, Texas. Read the interview that Kathy Patrick gave Allen Whitley here.

August Selection - Paperback

2010-06-12T16:33:00.000-07:00

August Pulpwood Queen book selection Zeitoun by Dave Eggars will be released in paperback format at Barnes & Noble on June 15! Barnes & Noble card members can pick up a copy for only $10. 76, whereas non-members must pay $15.95. Signed hardback copies are, of course, available at the Garden District Book Shop in New Orleans (where I got my copy!).

Synopsis: When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, Abdulrahman Zeitoun, a prosperous Syrian-American and father of four, chose to stay through the storm to protect his house and contracting business. In the days after the storm, he traveled the flooded streets in a secondhand canoe, passing on supplies and helping those he could. A week later, on September 6, 2005, Zeitoun abruptly disappeared. Eggers’s riveting nonfiction book, three years in the making, explores Zeitoun’s roots in Syria, his marriage to Kathy — an American who converted to Islam — and their children, and the surreal atmosphere (in New Orleans and the United States generally) in which what happened to Abdulrahman Zeitoun was possible. LikeWhat Is the What, Zeitoun was written in close collaboration with its subjects and involved vast research — in this case, in the United States, Spain, and Syria. (Barnes & Noble)

A Sad Day for LA Writers And Readers

2010-06-05T10:02:00.000-07:00

The Louisiana Book Festival is canceled for 2010 because of state budget cuts, State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton announced this week.

The annual festival outside the State Capitol could be in doubt for 2011 as well because budget problems are only expected to worsen when federal stimulus dollars run dry.

The Louisiana Book Festival, which premiered in 2002, takes place in October or November each year and features plenty of local authors, speakers, readings, book signings, food booths and musical performances.

About 5,000 people attended in the first year and it grew to more than 25,000 people in 2009, she said. In the past, only Hurricane Katrina has derailed the festival. (The Advocate)