Fall Festivals

– the idea for “Wombat” came from a story she read about the devastating fires taking place in Australia.

“Once the fires began to die down, animals were observed emerging from wombat boroughs,” Deedy said. “Portly little wombats had allowed other animals to shelter in their labyrinthian boroughs. Being a refuge, I really understood the idea of someone giving you sanctuary in a time of trouble.”

Born in Havana, Cuba in 1960, Deedy and her family immigrated just after the revolution toppled the government and brought Fidel Castro to power. She was just three years old when she arrived in Decatur.

While early rave reviews of “Wombat Said Come In” have leaned into the environmental aspect of the story, Deedy said she was thinking of her own personal story as a refugee. “For me, the book is about people who open their doors in times of trouble.”

“Wombat” will launch during the Decatur Book Festival on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, with Deedy reading Saturday at 10 a.m. on the children’s stage. Find out more at decaturbookfestival.com.

Deedy will reach into her past once again next February with “Carina Felina,” a retelling of a Cuban folktale featuring illustrations by Henry Cole. “It’s a Shakespearean tragedy with a good ending,” Deedy laughed. “It’s about a parrot who falls in love with a cat.”

Then, in 2024, Peachtree Publishing will release “The Peanut Man,” which Deedy said is about her arrival in Georgia from Cuba. She’s also working with Georgia Power to create a book about solar energy for kids that will be out soon.

While she had to give up her nighty appearances in “Rita’s Virtual Diner,” one of the Facebook habits Deedy has kept up is the “Lost Word Society,” which is part of her author Facebook page (facebook.com/ carmenagradeedy). Deedy posts an archaic word and encourages followers to think up a definition, etymology, story, or haiku for a “delectable” lost word to post in the comments.

Twenty years ago this month, when Intown first profiled Deedy, she said “performing is like breathing to me… I forget myself when I’m telling stories.” Luckily, some things never change.

5 fall festivals not to miss

We’ve rounded up five festivals that simply must be on your “to-do” calendar for September.

►Dragon Con: William Shatner and Walter Koenig from the original “Star Trek” are on the guest list – along with 400 actors, authors, and designers – for the sci-fi, fantasy, and cosplay extravaganza Sept. 1-5 at various Downtown hotels. The parage is Sept. 3 at 10 a.m. See details at dragoncon.org.

Elevate Atlanta: A series of free art installations, block parties, music, and dance performances will be part of this year’s Elevate, Sept. 16 – Oct. 9. See the full schedule at elevateatlart.com.

Out on Film: The 35th annual LGBTQ+ movie fest runs Sept. 22 – Oct. 2 with nearly 150 films from around the world on the itinerary. The festival opens with “Bros” – the first romantic comedy about two gay men from a major studio – and closes with the dark comedy “Chrissy Judy” about two drag queens looking for their big break. See the lineup at outonfilm.org.

East Atlanta Strut: The annual parade and street festival in East Atlanta Village is on Sept. 24 from noon to 6 p.m. with activities for motorheads, pet lovers, and more. Get the details at eastatlantastrut.com.

◄Decatur Book Festival: Book lovers will converge on Downtown on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 for a keynote by photojournalist Pete Souza discussing his book “The West Wing & Beyond: What I Saw Inside the Presidency” on Friday night, followed by a day of authors – fiction, poetry, non-fiction, cooking, kid lit – reading and signing their work. Full schedule at decaturbookfestival.com.