WRITERS' NIGHT OUT update from Karen Holmes

Dear Writers and Friends,

The second Friday comes early in June! Please mark your calendars for Writers' Night Out on June 8.

We had a great turn out last month. A few glitches we experienced at the restaurant should be solved this time, as promised by the manager. Specifically, the door to our room will not be used for other patrons passing through to get to the restaurant, we will have a microphone if needed, and the computer billing system will be up and running so we can each pay our bills quicker. That makes the venue just right for our group. 

Friday, June 8

Brother's Restaurant at Willow Ranch, Young Harris (across from Brasstown Valley Resort)

Private Room Upstairs (if you can't do stairs, park in the back upper parking lot and come right into our room via a ramp) 6:00 order food, socialize

6:30 eat, drink, be merry

7:15 featured reader: Ron Salzer

7:35 Break 

7:40: Open Mike, 2 1/2 minutes per reader

Come hungry! And come early to order! They have appetizers, salads, dinner entrees and excellent sweets, plus the lunch menu is available at dinner. The restaurant assigns a server just to us, so please support them in return by ordering food or drink. see menu of yummy options here.

Brother's Willow Ranch Restaurant, 6223 Hwy 76 West, Young Haris, phone 706-379-1272

Flyer attached. If you can, please print it and post it where interested people will see it. 

Happy Memorial Day, 

Karen

--

Karen Paul Holmes

Please change my email address in your records to kpaulholmes@gmail.com if you haven't already. Thank you.

sorry flyer would not attatch

NEW ALL GENRE WRITING CLASS OFFERED AT JOHN C. CAMPBELL FOLK SCHOOL

Hello writers and friends,

Itching to write? Karen Paul Holmes is  teaching an all-genre writing class at the Folk School the weekend of July 6. limit 8 students. There are still a few seats.  If you live in the mountain counties, you can get  a 1/2 price spot. That's only $160 for a fun and inspiring weekend at John C. Campbell. Here's the link to register. 

https://www.folkschool.org/index.php?section=class_detail&class_id=5697

Here's the class description:

"Calling All Muses. Let’s stir the creative juices with help from other muses. Stream-of-consciousness writing to classical music will get us going. Exploring artists like Monet, the Beatles, or Baryshnikov will spur ideas for characters, plots, or poems. Expect to get a burst of inspiration to finish a writing project—or start a new one. You’ll also receive editing tips to make your pieces stronger and more readable. All levels welcome."

"Karen Paul Holmes, an award-winning writer, has work published in business magazines, literary journals, and anthologies. Her enthusiasm for teaching has given her top ratings for her writing workshops at international conferences. She also taught poetry to students through the Georgia Poetry Society's "Poets in the Schools" program. Karen is a writing coach, poet, freelance writer, and the editor of the North Carolina Writers' Network's Netwest News. She hosts a monthly "Writer's Night Out" in Hiawassee, GA." 

 

ROBERT S. KING IS A FEATURED POET TONIGHT AT JOHN C. CAMPBELL FOLK SCHOOL.

Poets and Writer Reading Poems and Stories will feature the nationally known poet, Robert S. King tonight 7:00 p.m. at John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC. Poet Clarence Newton, author of Short Glances Forwatd And A Long Look Back will also be a featured reader tonight.   This program is cosponsored by JCCFS and NC Writers Network West. 

Robert S. King is a native Georgian who grew up in the rural foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. He began writing poetry seriously after he was discharged from the U.S. Navy in 1972. Since then he has published several chapbooks and two full-length titles (see below).

Because poetry has never paid the bills, he has built a rather varied, and sometimes contradictory, résumé. To mention just a few jobs, he has been a Cambodian translator (U.S. Navy), a bookstore manager, a court reporter, an interlibrary loan manager, a technical editor, and a software engineer. He retired in 2010 and has been devoting himself full-time to writing, editing, and publishing poetry.

Robert is the former Director of FutureCycle Press (www.futurecycle.org) and served as President of the Georgia Poetry Society (www.georgiapoetrysociety.org).  Additionally, he is a member of  the Georgia Writers Association and the North Carolina Writers Network.

Robert has published in hundreds of magazines, including The Kenyon Review, Southern Poetry Review, ELF: Eclectic Literary Forum, Midwest Quarterly, California Quarterly, Chariton Review, Negative Capability, The Hollins Critic, Blue Unicorn, Poem, Louisville Review, En Passant, Xanadu, Chattahoochee Review, The Cape Rock, Amelia, Slant, Sow's Ear, Windless Orchard, Great River Review, Visions Inter­national, Writers' Forum, Lullwater Review, Permafrost, Habersham Review, Spoon River Poetry Review,The Bridge, Hellas, Hammers, Poetpourri, Grasslands Review, Lungfish Review, etc.  His chapbook titles are When Stars Fall Down as Snow (Garland Press, 1976), Dream of the Electric Eel (Wolfsong Publications, 1982), and Traveller’s Tale (Whistle Press, 1998).

Two full-length titles, The Hunted River and The Gravedigger’s Roots, were published by Shared Roads Press in 2009.

Robert is available for readings, lectures, and workshops. You may contact him about how to get copies of his books at rsking@futurecycle.org.

POET CLARENCE NEWTON LAUNCHES HIS NEW POETRY BOOK TONIGHT AT JOHN C. CAMPBELL FOLK SCHOOL.

Clarence Newton is a featured author tonight at POETS AND WRITERS READING POEMS AND STORIES scheduled at John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC, 7:00 p.m. He will be launching his new poetry collection. You must not miss this. Come early. We expect standing room only.

Clarence Newton’s first poetry collection, Short Glances Forward and a Long Look Back, sparkles with humor, yet shows the life of a man who learned that some pain never goes away, some wounds never heal.  In “Examination,” one of his strongest poems, he writes: “My beautiful, intelligent child has become a lost man.”  Other favorites of mine are the image-rich poems: “Damsel Dancing Sideways” written for his wife, and “ October Sands”, which leaves me with  the eternal image of men fishing. 

Newton’s keen observation after over forty years in an aviation career comes through in his poems, whether he observes the human nature of pilots on a misguided bombing mission or when he watches a hawk circling its prey. His appreciation for poetry gives us his most humorous and delightful poems: “If I were an English Major”  and his love poem to Emily Dickinson, “Dream Number 4001.”  The reader will cry maybe, will laugh for sure, and keep turning the pages.   --Nancy Simpson, author of  Night Student and Living Above the Frost Line.

SHORT GLANCES FORWARD AND A LONG LOOK BACK Poems by Clarence Newton was published by Sourwood Cove Publishing and Mountain Graphics, Hiawassee, Georgia. The book may be bought a Phillips and Lloyd Booksellers in Hayesville, NC,

or can be ordered from the author at 1951 Rolling Meadows, Young Harris, Georgia 30582.($12.00 includes postage and handling.)

From the Back Cover

“The observant eye of Clarence Newton, his original way of encountering the world, often humorously and always thoughtful, invites the reader to come along for an enriching journey

 --Janice Townley Moore, autor of Teaching the Robins.”

“Clarence Newton’s writing is entertaining at the same time it tells us something important. A pervasive quality in his work is humor. Particularly in verse, the author is quite clever (as in “Froggy”)He has a serious side as well (see “Short Glances Forward and a Long Look Back.” 

--Robert S. King, author of The Hunted River and The Gravebigger’s Roots.

It is always a delight to read poetry that is playful.  And Clarence Newton’s poems are not only playful, but often have a biting edge.  There are no wasted words, and plenty of sharp and witty observations that leave the reader pondering long after the poem has been read.  A good poem should stick with you, and these will, along with a grin or chuckle, too. --Rosemary Rhodes Royston, Poet and Writing Instructor.

Also featured on the POETS AND WRITERS READING POEMS AND STORIES program co sponsored by NC Writers Network  West and  John C. Campbell Folk School, will be nationally known  poet Robert S. King. (see following feature on Robert. S. King.

Jack J. Prather's new book, Twelve Notables in Western North Carolina, due to be released in late May.

Jack J. Prather is a member of NCWN and NCWN West. I want to announce his new book. Visit his website. Twelve Notables in Western North Carolina is due to be released in May 2012.

Please read more below. 

Attached is information about Jack J. Prather's new book, Twelve Notables in Western North Carolina, due to be released in late May. To view the book cover and photos of the 12 Notables, visitwww.futurenowpublishing.com.

 

Also attached is the process to follow for supporting the new Young Writers Scholarship founded by Jack at Warren Wilson College in April. He is donating a portion of book proceeds to the scholarship fund and handling external fundraising; WWC is responsible for grants and alumni donations.

 

The Twelve Notables:

• Rev. Dr. Dan Matthews, O.B.E. - Waynesville

Priest at Ground Zero on 9-11 / Recipient Order of the British Empire

• Musician David Holt - Fairview

Grammy winning Musician-Storyteller / PBS-TV and NPR-Radio Hostf

• Captain Ray F. West, Jr., USNR, Ret. - Flat Rock

Moldova World Childrens Fund Founder / UNCA Distinguished Alumnus

• Judge Harry C. Martin – Biltmore Forest

Former NC and Cherokee Supreme Court Justice / Honorary Cherokee

• Olson Huff, MD, FAAP - Black Mountain

Founding Medical Director of Mission Children’s Hospital, Asheville

• Glenis Redmond – Asheville

Hall of Fame Performance Poet / Kennedy Center Teaching Artist

• Douglas M. Orr, Ph.D. – Black Mountain

President Emeritus Warren Wilson College / Author / Musician

Billie Ruth Sudduth – Bakersville

Basket Artist / Smithsonian Collection / 1st Female NC Living Treasure

• Matthew J. Hayes, M.D. - Hendersonville

Pioneer of National Emergency Medical Services / ACEP Fellow

• Joe Epley, APR - Tryon

Global Public Relations Leader / UNC Journalism School Hall of Fame

• Richard Ritter – Bakersville

Glass Artist / NC Living Treasure 2011 / Governor’s Award as Fire Chief

• Julyan Davis - Asheville

Southern Art Oil Painter / Galleries on East-West Coasts and Europe

If amenable, please share this information with your world.

To e-mail Jack J. Prather: prathergroup@aol.com 

Jack J. Prather
prathergroup@aol.com
828-808-0660

www.futurenowpublishing.com

Something Knows the Moment named one of 5 finalists.

Great news!  Something Knows the Moment has been named 1 of 5 finalists for the 2012 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.

Thanks for ordering, reading, and supporting Something Knows the Moment. 

Scott Owens

www.scottowenspoet.com

www.scottowensmusings.blogspot.com

www.poetryhickory.com

www.wildgoosepoetryreview.com

www.234journal.com

www.poetrycouncilofnc.wordpress.com

GLENDA BEALL INVITES YOU TO COFFEE WITTHE POETS FEATUING BARBARA GABRIEL

Come and join us to listen, to read at open mic or to have coffee and socialize with the writers, poets, and those who enjoy writing. You will really enjoy Barbara Gabriel - read her bio- who will be leaving us this summer. See you Wednesday.

 

 

 

COFFEE WITH THE POETS IN HAYESVILLE FEATURES BARBARA GABRIEL

 

 

Barbara Gabriel of Murphy, NC will be the featured poet at Coffee with the Poets, Wednesday, May 9, 10:30 a.m. at Café Touche, 83 Main Street in Hayesville, NC .

 

Barbara Gabriel grew up in Minnesota along highway 61. She ran away to sea in her twenties, living aboard boats, ships and other floaty things. Her passions are travel and food, and she tries to combine those any chance she gets. Barbara has traveled, lived and eaten in South America, Turkey, North Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. She makes a seriously lemon tart and is on a lifelong search for the world's best french fries.

 

Barbara has been gathering writing material for fifty years while impersonating a chef, cruise director, ice cream scooper, sailor, child advocate, landscaper, package designer, banker, medical technician, dive master, log cabin builder, and a really bad waitress. In her current state of mind she is a salvage artist and writer. Until recently, she shared her writing only with her husband and dogs. She was recently published in the online journal of topical poetry "Poetry24."

 

Barbara has lived in western North Carolina for nine years and is about to embark on a new adventure when she, her husband Brian, and their dogs Gracie and Scout move to Portland, Oregon later this summer.

 

Members of the local community are always invited to Coffee with the Poets to listen, buy a muffin and a cup of coffee, or read an original poem at open mic.

 

This event is sponsored by NCWN West (Netwest) the western chapter of the North Carolina Writers' Network. Contact Glenda Beall, 828-389-4441 for more information.

 

 

Glenda Beall
glendabeall@msn.com
nightwriter0302@yahoo.com

 

www.profilesandpedigrees.blogspot.com
www.glendacouncilbeall.blogspot.com

SOUTHERN INDEPENDENT BOOKSELLERS Announced 2011 Poetry Finalists.

Poetry FINALISTS Abandoned Quarry by John Lane (Mercer University Press) Head Off & Split: Poems (2011) by Nikky Finney (TriQuarterly Books/Northwestern University Press) Terroir by Robert Morgan (Penguin) Waking by Ron Rash (Hub City Press)

POETS AND WRITRS READING POEMS AND STORIES

Thursday, April 19, 7:00 pmKeith House, J.C. Campbell Folk School, 1 Folk School Rd., Brasstown, North Carolina.
Netwest members Nancy Simpson and Maren Mitchell will be the featured readers at “Poets and Writers Reading Poems and Stories” cosponsored by Netwest and the John C. Campbell Folk School.

POETS, TELL HOW YOU CELEBRATE NATIONAL POETRY MONTH

How will you celebrate National Poetry Month?

Poetry is an important part of my life. I will celebrate  by teaching  a Poetry Writing Class at Institute For Continuing Learning  at Young Harris, Georgia. This is a small class for practicing poets only. We will meet for six weeks. I can think of no better way to celebrate poetry than to meet once a week with fellow poets and share our knowledge of poetry. 

Lucky for me, I have also been invited to read my poems during this special month at POETS AND WRITERS READING POEMS AND STORIES at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown.                                                

        

Later in the month I will attend The Evening of Art and Poetry sponsored by the Clay County Arts Council to be held at the Hayesville High School Lecture Hall. This year’s poetry judge and special guest is Robert S. King. This is an annual art and poetry contest which I co founded with Reba Beck twenty one years ago. I am happy to see it continue. 

How do you celebrate National Poetry Month? Tell us.

FULL PINK MOON REACHES FULLNESS APRIL 6, 2012

Step outside tonight and welcome The Full Pink Moon of April 6, 2012 as she reaches fullness.

The Full Pink Moon got its name long ago  from Native Americans who were stuck by the many fields they saw in April covered with small, wild pink flowers. A list of full moon names can be found in the Farmer's Almanac.

SCOTT OWENS INVITES YOU TO COME TO HICKORY FOR POETRY DAY

THE POETS ARE COMING! THE POETS ARE COMING!

On April 14, poets from across the state will descend upon Hickory, NC, as Catawba Valley Community College hosts the Poetry Council of NC’s annual Poetry Day celebration.  As many as 30 award-winning poets are expected, including Katherine Soniat of Asheville, Susan Lefler of Brevard, and Joanna Catherine Scott of Chapel Hill, winners of the Oscar Arnold Young Award for the year’s best book of poetry from NC.

This 62-year-old event will bring winners of the Council’s annual poetry contests together with poetry lovers as the winners receive their awards and share their poetry with all who attend.  The event will also feature the debut of the Council’s 2012 annual awards anthology, Bay Leaves, and a live-judged Poetry Slam.  Attendance is free and everyone is welcome. 

The doors of CVCC’s Student Center will open at 9:20 for registration.  The dedication of Bay Leaves will follow at 10:00, after which winners will be announced for the Charles Shull Traditional Poetry Award, the Charlotte Young Elementary School Student Award, and the Gladys Owings Hughes Heritage Award.  All winners present will give a reading of their winning poems. 

Before breaking for lunch, poets are invited to participate in the Poetry Slam.  Entering the Slam requires a $5 entry fee and features awards of $35, $25, and $15 for first, second, and third place performances.  Judging the Slam will be author, Emmy-winner, and coach of Slam Charlotte, Boris Rogers, also known as Bluz.

Following lunch, winners will be announced for the Ellen Johnston-Hale Light Verse Award, the Carol Bessent Young Middle School Student Award, the James Larkin Pearson Free Verse Award, the Sam Ragan High School Student Award, and the Poetry Slam.

The event will conclude with readings from the winners of the Oscar Arnold Young Book Award.  For more information on Poetry Day or the Poetry Council of NC, visit www.poetrycouncilofnc.wordpress.com or contact Scott Owens at (828) 234-4266.

ROBERT S. KING WILL READ HIS POEMS AT CALLANWOLDE FINE ARTS CENTER IN ATLANTA.

 Don't miss this

Robert M.Giannetti 

Robert S. King 

Wednesday, April 11, 2012; 8:00 PM  

In The Callanwolde Library 

Guest poets Robert M. Giannetti and Robert S. King read their poetry in 

the unique setting of the Callanwolde Library.  

$5 General Admission; $3 Students with ID, Seniors and Members.  

For more information call (404) 872-5338. 

Robert M. Giannetti is an antiquarian 

bookseller from Lewiston, New York. His 

new poetry volume Winter Vision, recently 

published in a bilingual edition in Warsaw, 

was named Best Book of 2011 by the 

Polish Writers Union. His 2003 book of 

poems Drawn by the Creek, dating from 

his days in rural Georgia, was reissued 

this past year. 

Robert S. King is the director of 

FutureCycle Press. His poems have 

appeared in hundreds of magazines, 

including Hollins Critic, Kenyon Review 

and Southern Poetry Review. His full- 

length poetry collections, The Hunted 

River and The Gravedigger’s Roots, were 

published by Shared Roads Press. He 

lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of 

Georgia. 

980 Bri arcl i ff Road, N.E. Atl anta, Georgi a 30306 www.cal l anwol de.org 

April 

980 Briarcliff Road, N.E. 

Atlanta, GA 30306 

(404) 872-5338 

www.callanwolde.org 

Support is provided to Callanwolde Fine Arts Center through a grant appropriated by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners in part by 

the DeKalb County Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department and in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts through appropriations of 

the Georgia General Assembly. Georgia Council for the Arts is a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. 

NCWN Exec. Director Tells "Why I haven't Read Your Book and other Revelations, including info on Spring Conference

http://www.ncwriters.org/images/Newsletters/2012.spring.pdf

SOUTHERN INDEPENDENT BOOKSELLERS ALLIANCE Announces the Poetry Long List

Poetry   Cast Your Vote Now But, O there are so many winners! Abandoned Quarry by John Lane (Mercer U. Press) Ascent by Doris Davenport (CreateSpace) Copperhead by Rachel Richardson (Carnegie Mellon) Crack Light by Thomas Rain Crowe (Wind Publishing) Head Off & Split: Poems (2011) by Nikky Finney (NWU Press) If This World Falls Apart by Lou Lipsitz (Lynx House Press) Instructions for Killing the Jackal by Erica Wright (Black Lawrence Press) Nineteen Visions of Christmas by Sally Buckner (Main Street Rag) Presence by Scott Wiggerman (Pecan Grove) Seriously Dangerous by Helen Losse (Main Street Rag) She Hands Me the Razor by Richard Krawiec (Press 53) Southern Fictions by Kathryn Stripling Byer (Jacar Press) Talking about Movies with Jesus by David Kirby (LSU Press) Terroir by Robert Morgan (Penguin) Unaccountable Weather by Kathryn Kirkpatrick (Press 53) Waking by Ron Rash (Hub City Press) Weaving a New Eden by Sherry Chandler (Wind Publications) http://www.sibaweb.com/okra

WELCOME TO SPRING - WELCOME TO MY FAMILY

  Deep in the Southern Appalachian Mountains,

spring arrived early. If you hoped to see the daffodils and forsythia in full bloom, you missed them on our mountain. It looks like April and feels more like May.

Tim Branltey, home for the weekend.

From the top of Cherry Mountain --Lake Chatuge.

Sarah at Fires Creek with Nannie and Savannah.

In Nannie's Garden

Savannah's Fairy House

Savannah and Aunt Lynn with flowers for Jeff.
Jeff Brantley remembered in this his birth week by his family with flowers and much love.

Jeff's daughter and granddaughter,

Savannah and Sarah. "I have a

surprise for you, Nannie," said

Savannah. It was a rock she brought

home from Lake Chatuge.

Great Writers, Great Writing! 

Dear Network Members,

The following writers, your colleagues, have readings scheduled. Please support them by attending. What better way to spend an evening? You may view the complete list of NCWN Member Readings  here.

BELOW ARE the   POETS AND WRITERS READING POEMS AND STORIES  scheduled readings co-sponsored by NC Writers Network West and John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina. Copy and save. These readings are free and open to the public. The audience is filled with mountain locals and with students enrolled in classes at the Folk School for the week. 

Thursday, April 19, 7:00 pm
Keith House, J.C. Campbell Folk School, 1 Folk School Rd., Brasstown
Netwest members Nancy Simpson and Maren Mitchell will be the featured readers.

Thursday, May 17, 7:00 pm
Keith House, J.C. Campbell Folk School, 1 Folk School Rd., Brasstown
Netwest members Robert King and Jayne Jaudon Ferrer will be the featured readers.

Thursday, June 21, 7:00 pm
Keith House, J.C. Campbell Folk School, 1 Folk School Rd., Brasstown
Netwest members Brenda Kay Ledford and Linda Smith will be the featured readers.

Thursday, August 16, 7:00 pm
Keith House, J.C. Campbell Folk School, 1 Folk School Rd., Brasstown
Netwest members Karen Paul Holmes and Nancy Purcell will be the featured readers.

Thursday, September 20, 7:00 pm
Keith House, J.C. Campbell Folk School, 1 Folk School Rd., Brasstown
Netwest members Carole Thompson and Bob Grove will be the featured readers.

Thursday, October 18, 7:00 pm
Keith House, J.C. Campbell Folk School, 1 Folk School Rd., Brasstown
Netwest members Lucy Cole Gratton and Jo Carolyn Bebee will be the featured readers.

Thursday, November 15, 7:00 pm
Keith House, J.C. Campbell Folk School, 1 Folk School Rd., Brasstown
Netwest members Joan Howard and Rosemary Royston will be the featured readers.

NCWN members names are presented in bold. 

J.C. Walkup, Fiction Writer will be the Featured Reader at the John C. Campbell Folk School.

Don’t forget to come Thursday night [tomorrow, March 15^th at 7:00 PM]

to John Campbell Folk School to hear J C Walkup and several other

of our local members read.  We would like to have a good

turnout for our traveling reader.

Hope to see you there.

Lucy Cole Gratton

Publicity Coordinator, NetWest

lgratton@hughes.net

828-494-2914

Natasha Trethewey - Pulitzer Prize Poet at Young Harris College

Young Harris College’s Annual Reece Lecture to Feature Pulitzer Prize-Winning Poet Natasha Trethewey

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – The annual Reece Lecture at Young Harris College will feature Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and creative nonfiction author Natasha Trethewey on Thursday, March 15, at 7 p.m. in Wilson Lecture Hall of Goolsby Center on the Young Harris College campus. A book signing will follow the lecture. Presented by the Division of Humanities, the event is free and open to the public.

Trethewey will also participate in a question-and-answer session earlier in the day at 3 p.m. in Wilson Lecture Hall of Goolsby Center. This event is also free and open to the public.

A native of Gulfport, Miss., Trethewey is the author of three collections of poetry:Domestic Work, Bellocq's Ophelia and Native Guard, which won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize in poetry. She is also the author of the creative nonfiction book Beyond Katrina: A Meditation on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Her fourth collection of poetry, Thrall, will be released this fall.

Trethewey’s poetry has received many accolades over the years including the Cave Canem Poetry Prize, Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters Book Prize and Lillian Smith Award for Poetry. Her work has appeared in several volumes of The Best American Poetry and many journals and anthologies such as American Poetry Review,Gettysburg Review, New England Review and The Southern Review.

Trethewey earned a B.A. in English from the University of Georgia, an M.A. in English and creative writing from Hollins University and an M.F.A in poetry from the University of Massachusetts. She is the recipient of fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts and Bunting Fellowship Program of the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University.

She was appointed Mississippi Poet Laureate this year and currently serves as Charles Howard Candler Professor of English and Creative Writing at Emory University. She is the recipient of the 2008 Mississippi Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts and was named the 2008 Georgia Woman of the Year. She was inducted into the Fellowship of Southern Writers in 2009, and was inducted into the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame in 2011.