Sunday, January 15, 2012

Wild Time at Wild Dunes!

I had my first author event--it was a great day of firsts at the absolutely beautiful Wild Dunes Resort in Isle of Palms, South Carolina.  The day was sunny and beautiful on the beach surrounded by dunes and palmettos.  The event was sponsored by the resort to benefit Trident Literacy, a great community-based non-profit that promotes literacy in low country South Carolina.  What a great cause!


I shared the stage with three amazing local writers and women.  Dorothea Benton Frank, whose new book Folly Beach explores the life of another Dorothea, wife of 1920's Charleston Renaissance writer, DuBose Heyward.  Dorothea was a playwright herself, but allowed her husband to take the spotlight.  They worked with George Gershwin on Porgy and Bess (based on DuBose's book Porgy).

Nathalie Dupree, amazing cook and entertainer, talked about her new book, Southern Biscuits.  I bought a copy myself and can't wait to give it a try.  I have had her shrimp and grits and they are sensational.  Definitely check out this great cookbook about a truly Southern institution.

And the great Mary Alice Monroe moderated our at times raucous talk.  Mary Alice is a passionate environmentalist who weaves the natural world into stories about women awakening to their own inner strength.

It was such an honor to be on the stage with these ladies!  It was my first professional author event.  The first time I saw the printed hard-cover of The Rebel Wife.  The first time I signed the book.  The first time a copy of my book was purchased.  An incredible number of firsts.  Here I am with the guy who bought the very first book, Scott, all the way from Michigan!

I had tea with Table 6, clearly the best table in the room.  I had such a great time with the wild and wonderful White Sisters from Bainbridge, Georgia.

Wow, what a launch!!  Thank you so much to Amy Stevens of Wild Dunes and Dr. Frances Welch of Trident Literacy and the College of Charleston for a great time and a great cause!

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Taking Out the Trash

I spent New Year's with many wonderful members of my mother's side of the family and I have to talk about what was an incredible highlight of the trip--a tour by Nash Trash Tours!  The talented and lovely Jugg Sisters--Sheri Lynn and Brenda Kay.  And these ladies know how to give a tour - singing, dancing, history, celebrity gossip, scandal and the hard lessons of alcohol taught right before your very eyes - all on a big pink school bus.  What else could you ask for?  Here are some pics from our amazing tour.  If you are ever in Nashville, you must do this!!!

Sheri Lynn and Brenda Kay Jugg
The whole New Year's clan

Those lovely ladies and me.  These are memories I will cherish for a lifetime.




Okay, enough about those hillbillies!  Here is a painting I found in Hartselle, Alabama.  I bought it for Clovis!


I think there is a real resemblance!