Susan Larson talks with Brian Fairbanks, whose new book is ‘Wizards: David Duke, America's Wildest Election, and the Rise of the Far Right’ and Jacinda Townsend, about her second novel, ‘Mother Country’, which is the 16th recipient of the Ernest J Gaines award for literary excellence.
Here’s what’s on tap in the literary life this week
If your New Year’s Resolution is to read more this year, you might want to begin with the One Book One New Orleans 2023 selection, the short story collection “The Ones Who Don’t Say They Love You,” by Maurice Carlos Ruffin.
If you’re looking for reinforcement for a writing resolution, the Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival offers a daylong virtual retreat, Writer’s Resolutions, Saturday, January 14, with writers, editors and agents. Check out tennesseewilliams.net for details and registration information.
Ron Grady will read from and sign his children’s book, What Does Brown Mean to You?,” Saturday, January 14, at 11 a.m. at Garden District Book Shop.
Christine Jaubert Carroll, Kay Lopez, Ellen Kocher Plaisance, Alice Reese, Ann Sayas, Fred Schwab, and Patricia A. Ward, poets from the New Orleans People Project will read from their work Saturday, January 14, at 1 p.m. at the East Bank Regional Library. Their work appears in the book “Fertile Repository: People Program Poets of New Orleans.” Poets Biljana Obradovic and John Gery will follow this group and read from their work Saturday, Jan. 14, at 2 p.m. at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie. Obradovic has a new book of poetry called “Little Disruptions.”
Blue Cypress books presents an encore performance of a Jane Austen Inspired Murder Mystery Party with Claudia Gray, author of The Murder of Mr. Wickham! The event takes place Tuesday, January17th at 6:30pm This is a ticketed event; check out bluecypressbooks.com.
Liz Williams, president and founder of the Southern Food and Beverage Museum, author of “Nana’s Creole Italian Table,” will teach participants how to make a Creole favorite – pasta sauce with squash – in a cooking demonstration Wednesday, January 18, at 7 p.m. at the West Bank Regional Library, 2751 Manhattan Blvd.
Jacinda Townsend, will receive the Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence for her novel, “Mother Country,” Thursday, January 19 at 6 p.m. at theManship Theatre in the Shaw Center for the Arts, 100 Lafayette St. in Baton Rouge.
Mark your calendar for the BLK Book Festival, Saturday, January 28, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at City Park’s Pavilion of the Two Sisters. Featured guests include Mona Lisa Saloy, Farrah Rochon, and Alex Jennings; the event celebrates the work of more than 50 authors. Free, but pre-register at Eventbrite. Baldwin and Company will host Martinis & Manuscripts honoring festival authors Friday, January 27, from 6-9 p.m., at Baldwin & co., 1030 Elysian Fields
