WELL READ Magazine July 2023

Émilienne:ANovelofBelleEpoqueParis

by PamelaBinningsEwen

Fromthebestsellingauthorof TheQueenofParis comesa glitteringnewnovelaboutyouth,beauty,andhavingthe couragetocarveyourownpathinaworldonthebrinkofwar.

PamelaBinningsEwen’snewestnovelrevealsthestoryof Émilienne,oncethemostbeautiful,sought-afterwomanin ParisduringtheBelleÉpoque,theeraofpeacefulyearsjust beforeWorldWarI.Asagirl,Émiliennefightsherway throughpovertyinMontmartre,drawntothelightsofParis below.Soon,shestarsattheFoliesBergère,mistressofkings andprinces,knownasthemostbeautifulwomaninEurope. But,happinessiselusive,andyouthandbeautyarefragile. Andwhereislove?AscloudsofwarbegindarkeningEurope, Émilienne’syoungfriend,CocoChanel,hasotherideasof howtosurviveinaman’sworld.Strongideas.Now,as Émiliennefightstosurvive,Coco’sstarrises.

“EwencreatesanaccurateandgorgeouspictureofBelle EpoqueParis…Readerswhoenjoylivelyrenderingsofthe past,combinedwithawell-pacedplotandtruehistorical characterswillthoroughlyenjoyEmilienne.” HistoricalNovel Society “Awell-researched,fascinating,albeittragicsaga,witha greatfeelfortimeandplace.” LibraryJournal.

FiveStarReaderReview-ABeautifulBookInsideandOut

“ReadthisjustdaysafterreturningfromatriptoParisandwas immediatelytransportedbacktothecityoflightsdazzlingwithin thepages,transportingthereadertoanhistoricaltimeperiod seldomwrittenaboutwithsuchgraceandpassion.Theauthor doesanamazingjobofengagingthereaderinEmilienne’sstory withbeautifulprose,dramaandromance.Andyes,asinevery greatstory,Emilienneisabrokengirlandnomatterhowyou judgehercharacter,youwon’tstopreadinguntilyouseehowit ends.IamafanofPamelaEwenandifyouhaven’treadher previousnovel“TheQueenofParis”whichintersectswith “Emilienne”,you’lldefinitelywantto.”

AfterpracticinglawformanyyearsinHouston,Texas,Pamela BinningsEwenexchangedherpartnershipinthelawfirmof BakerBotts,L.L.P.forwriting.ShelivesnearNewOrleans, Louisiana. TheQueenofParis,anovelonCocoChanel,received aStarredReviewfrom Publisher’sWeekly andwasrankedNo.1in HotNewSpringReleasesinhistoricalfictionbyAmazonKindle. Pamelaisalsotheauthorof TheMoonin

theMangoTree,awardedthe2012

EudoraWeltyMemorialAwardbythe NationalLeagueofAmericanPen Women,aswellasatrilogyofnovelson youngwomenlawyersinNewOrleansin the1970’s—including DancingonGlass, ChasingtheWind, and AnAccidental Life.Shealsoauthoredthe Secretofthe Shroud,andanon-fictionbook, Faithon Trial,bothnowinsecondeditions.

AllNight,AllDay:Life,Death&Angels

bySusanCushman(Editor)

Thereissomethingmysticalaboutholdingthehand ofapersonwhois“crossingover.”Itcanbe heartbreaking,ofcourse,butalsoveryholyand beautiful.Someofthepiecesinthiscollectionshare theexperienceofpersonallosswhenalovedone dies.Oftenthepresenceofanangeloranother mysticalexperienceisshared.Butnotonlyin death—therearealsostorieshereofthewaythe mysticalworldinteractswithusindailylife.Andnot onlyangels,butalsomothers,fathers,sisters, grandfathers,friends,andevenahomelessmananda dog.

“Storiesthatevokeasenseofpeace,reassurance, andsafety,aswellasstrengthandencouragement throughreportedangelicactivities.Thesestoriestell ofunexpectedhumanityandloveinthelivesofthose whoneededaffirmationofspiritualityinthehuman world.Thepresenceofangelsisrecountedthrough brilliantanddescriptiveimageryandintriguingyet identifiablecharacterization.”

—FrancineRodriguez, award-winningauthorof AWoman’sStory

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“Overtime,forme,historyandliteraturebecame connectedbytheideaofSTORY,bya preoccupationwiththehumancondition…”

FEARLESSFRYEGAILLARD

InterviewbyMandyHaynes

FearlessFryeGaillard

MandyHaynes

Iambeyondexcitedtointroducethismonth’sfeatured author,historian,andactivist,FryeGaillard,toWELL READ’sreaders.Fryeisnotafraidtowriteabouthard topics,doesn’tshyfromthetruth,andshinesalighton peoplewhomakeadifference.Heisanaturalborn storyteller,giftedwithacuriousmindandanearfor stories.

Hisawardwinningtitlesinclude AHardRain:America inthe1960s,CradleofFreedom:Alabamaandthe MovementThatChangedAmerica,WatermelonWine:The SpiritofCountryMusic,TheDreamLongDeferred:The LandmarkStruggleforDesegregationinCharlotte,North Carolina, and GoSouthtoFreedom,anovelformiddle gradereaders.

Hismostrecentpublicationsinclude The SouthernizationofAmerica:AStoryofDemocracyinthe Balance, coauthoredwithPulitzerPrizewinnerCynthia

Tucker;and LiveAsIf…ATeacher’sLoveStory,a remembranceofhislatewife,Dr.NancyGaillard.

Fryehaswrittenmorethanthirtybooksandhiswriting rangesacrossthegenresofhistory,memoir,journalism, andhistoricalstoriesforyoungreaders.He’swonThe LillianSmithBookAward,theF.ScottFitzgeraldMuseum LiteraryPrize,theNAACPLegalDefenseFund HumanitarianoftheYearAward,theAlabamaGovernor’s AwardfortheArts,theClarenceCasonAwardfor nonfiction,andtheEugeneCurrent-GarciaAwardfor literaryscholarship.Thefilmadaptationof InthePathof theStorms,forwhichheco-wrotethescript,wona regionalEmmy.

HehasservedaswriterinresidenceattheUniversityof SouthAlabama,QueensUniversityofCharlotte,andthe HonorsCollegeathistoricallyblackJohnsonC.Smith University.Hisbylinehasappearedin TheGuardian,The WashingtonPost,TheJournalofAmericanHistory,The BitterSoutherner,TheOxfordAmerican,Sojourners, Parade, andotherpublications.

Fryeistheformersoutherneditorat TheCharlotte Observer,andFryehasalsoco-writtentitlecutsonalbums recordedbyahalfdozenNashvilleartists,withtwoof thoserecordingsreachingthetoptenonfolkandcountry musiccharts.

Nowthatyou’vereadhisimpressivebio,let’sdigin!

IreadthatwhenFryewasonahighschoolfieldtripin Birmingham,hewitnessedMartinLutherKingJr.’sarrest duringKing'sBirminghamcampaignagainstracial segregation.Iaskedifthateventwaswhatmadehimwant tobecomeawriter.

Fryeanswered,“SeeingDr.King'sarrestcertainly nudgedmedownthepathtowardwriting-and specifically,Ithink,nonfictionwriting.Becauseinthat moment,historysuddenlyhadaface,anditwastheface ofDr.King.Overtime,forme,historyandliterature becameconnectedbytheideaofSTORY,bya preoccupationwiththehumanconditionandwhatWilliam Faulknercalled,"thehumanheartinconflictwithitself."

Instoriesliketheunfoldingcivilrightsmovement,you couldseetheconflictwithinourcollectiveheart.Ittooka whilebeforeIhadwordsforallofthis.Butseeingthe arrestsetthedominoesinmotion.”

“Whatwasanearlyexperiencewhereyoulearnedthat languagehadpower?”Iasked.

“IalwayslovedtoreadandIhadsomefineteachersin highschoolwhohelpedmethinkaboutthepowerof words.Then,asastudentatVanderbilt,astreamofgreat speakerscamethroughcampus-peoplelikeDr.King, RobertKennedy,andotherswhoserhetoricandmoral visionstirredourheartsandminds.Iwasalsomovedby thepowerofsonglyrics-thewordsofBobDylan,or

LeonardCohen,orJoniMitchell.Therewasalotof inspirationbackinthosedays,”Fryeanswered.

I’dreadofsomeofthegreatexperiencesFryehadwhile hewasenrolledatVanderbiltUniversityandaskedifhe wouldsharehisfavoritewithus.

Frye’sresponse,“MyfavoriteVanderbiltexperience wasprobablyintroducingRobertF.Kennedywhenhe cametospeakin1968.Igottorideinthecarwithhim fromtheairporttocampus-me,Kennedy,andthe astronaut,JohnGlenn,inthebackseat.Itfeltsorealand surrealallatonce.ButIwasforeverimpressedbythis presidentialcandidateandhisoffstagehumanity-his seriousnessaboutwhathebelieved.”

AfterFryegraduatedfromVanderbilt,hetookthejobas themanagingeditorforthe RaceRelationsReporter in Nashvilleintheearly70s.“Youweresoyoung!Isthere onestoryyou’dliketosharefromthattime?”Iasked.

“Iwasreallyluckytolandajobatthe RaceRelations Reporter,afoundation-funded,non-profitpublicationwith astaffoffinewriterslikeJohnEgerton,ormyfriend,Jack White,whowentontoworkfor TimeMagazine.I'mnot surewhytheyhiredme,except,Isuppose,thatIwaseager -andIcaredaboutthestorytheyweretryingtocover.

Afteracoupleofyears,therewassometurnoverduring atimeoffundinguncertainty,andIsortofbackedintoan editor'srole.Ididhavesomecareer-shapingexperiences.

Atonetime,IwasassignedtocoverAmericanIndian issues,which,inthebeginningIknewnothingabout.I readabookcalled CusterDiedforYourSins:AnIndian Manifesto,writtenbyagreatNativeAmericanauthor namedVineDeloria,Jr.,whowasalso,Idiscovered,a reallyniceguy.Icalledhimup,toldhimaboutmynew assignmentandaskedifIwasbeingimpossibly presumptuoustoundertakeit."Notifyoulisten,"he replied.Itseemedlikeprettygoodadviceforawriter.”

Afterwritingsomanyarticles,essays,andwonderful storiesIwondered.“Ifyoucouldtellyouryoungerwriting selfanything,whatwoulditbe?”

Fryeresponded,“Iwouldsay,'Youngerself,don'ttryto writeinanybody'svoicebutyourown.Youwilljustsound silly.'IstillwincewhenIthinkaboutanearlystoryI wroteundertheinfluenceofTomWolfe.”

“Whatisthemostvaluablepieceofadviceyou’vebeen givenaboutwriting?”

“IrememberJoeCumming,theAtlantabureauchiefof Newsweek andawonderfulwordsmith,tellingmethere areonlytwowaystogetbetterasawriter:Youhaveto read,andyouhavetowrite.Bythat,hemeant,readthe workofreallygoodwritersandtrytothinkcriticallyabout whattheyaredoing,aboutwhyitworks.Andthen,just write;justpractice,untilfinallyyoudevelopavoiceof yourown.IalsoreadEudoraWelty's, OneWriter's

Beginnings,inwhichshesaidgoodwritingwaslearning tosee,learningtohear,andfindingavoice.Orwordsto thateffect.Writingishard,oratleastitalwayshasbeen forme.Satisfying,buthard.Anditdoesn'tgeteasier becauseyourexpectationsareupwardlymobile.Orat leasttheyshouldbe.”

“Didyoueverhavetofighttogettotellastorytheway YOUwantedto?”

“Yes,IhavehadtofighttotellthestorythewayI wanted.Iamverystubbornaboutthis.I'malsoVERY carefulaboutwhoIasktoreadaworkinprogress.Yes, I'mlookingforhonestfeedback,butitneedstocomefrom somebodyItrust,somebodywhounderstandsthedelicacy andvulnerabilityoftheprocess.Iknowmanypeoplelove writinggroups.Iavoidthemliketheplague.Writing,for me,isanintenselysolitarything.OnceI'mfinished,once it'sthewayIthinkitneedstobe,thevulnerability subsides,andIcanletitgo.Peoplewhoreaditcan respondastheywish.Fairenough.Thoseresponsesare,in asense,acompletionofthecreativeprocess.”

Somanybookstochoosefrom,Ihadtoask,“What bookareyoumostproudof?”

“IthinktherearetwobooksI'mmostproudof.Thefirst is AHardRain:Americainthe1960s.It'sprobablygotten themostresponseandwidestdistributionofanythingI've done,anditwascertainlythemostambitious.Itweighsin

atjustunder700pages,butIthink-hope-itsucceedsat tellingastoryandsustainingitfromstarttofinish.Tome, thatdecade-theoneinwhichIcameofage-unfolded likeastory,andIwantedtocaptureasenseofthat.The secondbookismuchmorepersonalandmuchmore obscure.It'scalled LiveAsIf...ATeacher'sLoveStory,and it'samemoiraboutmylatewife,NancyGaillard,who spentmuchofhercareerasateacherandprincipalinthe innercityschoolsofCharlotte,beforebecomingan AssistantProfessorattheUniversityofSouthAlabama. Sheearnedherdoctorateattheageof67fromthe UniversityofAlabama.Whileshewasthere,thefootball teamwontwonationalchampionships.Shewasalways happytotakecreditforthat,thoughsheadmitted,in fairness,thatshehadtosharesomeofitwithNickSaban. Shediedofleukemiathreeyearslater.Tellingherstory wasbothalaborofloveandanhonor.”

“Frye,whatareyouworkingonnow?”

“Well,Ihaveonenewbookthat'sbeenoutforacouple ofmonths,acollectionofinterviewswithauthors,coeditedwithawonderfulwriternamedPatToomay.Patand Ihadamentorandfriend,JohnSeigenthaler,whowasthe crusadingeditorofthe Tennessean newspaperin

Nashville.Formorethan40years,Johnhostedapublic televisionshowinwhichheinterviewedsuchwritersas

NikkiGiovanni,PatConroy,JonMeacham,DorisKearns

Goodwin,AnnPatchett,andmanyothers.Morethan900 interviewsinall.PatandIpickedabouttwodozenof thoseconversationsforabookcalled, AWordonWords: TheBestofJohnSeigenthaler'sInterviews.It'sabookfull ofwisdomandwarmth.Seigenthalerwasasextraordinary ashissubjects.

Ihaveanotherbookwaitingforafinalverdictfroma publisher.Iprobablyshouldn'tjinxit.”

Fryehasmetandinterviewedsomanyinteresting peopleoverhiscareer,butifhehadthechanceto interviewsomeonetoday,whowoulditbe?

“Ohwow,ifIcouldinterviewanyone...Iusedtosayit wouldbeNelsonMandela,butheisnolongerwithus.I've interviewedDollyParton,LindaRonstadt,andEmmylou Harris,somaybenowitwouldbeBruceSpringsteenor JoniMitchell,orOdetta.Ilovegreatperformerswhoalso understandtheliteratureofmusic.”

MandyHaynes istheauthoroftwoshortstorycollections, WalkingtheWrongWayHome,SharpasaSerpent'sToothEva andOtherStories,andanovella,Oliver.Sheisalsotheeditorof theanthology,WorkinProgressandco-editoroftheSouthern WritersReadingreunionanthology,TheBestoftheShortest,and contributingwriterforAmeliaIslanderMagazine,Amelia WeddingsandEditorinChiefofWELLREADMagazine.

ForyearsthelegendaryJohnSeigenthalerhostedA WordonWordsonNashville'spublictelevisionstation, WNPT.Duringtheshow’sfour-decaderun(1972to 2013),heinterviewedsomeofthemostinterestingand mostimportantwritersofourtime.Thesein-depth exchangesrevealedmuchaboutthewriterswho appearedonhisshowandgaveaglimpseintotheir creativeprocesses.Seigenthalerwasadeeplyengaged readerandagenerousinterviewer,atruecraftsman. FryeGaillardandPatToomayhavecollectedand transcribedsomeoftheiconicinteractionsfromthe show.

Featuringinterviewswith:

ArnaBontemps•MarshallChapman•PatConroy• RodneyCrowell•JohnEgerton•JesseHillFord• CharlesFountain•WilliamPriceFox•KinkyFriedman

•FryeGaillard•NikkiGiovanni•DorisKearns

Goodwin•DavidHalberstam•WaylonJennings•John Lewis•DavidMaraniss•WilliamMarshall•Jon Meacham•AnnPatchett•AliceRandall•DoriSanders

•JohnSeigenthalerSr.•MartyStuart•PatToomay

AWordonWords:

TheBestof JohnSeigenthaler'sInterviews

“AchildoftheSixtiesandoneoftheleading civil-rightsreportersofhisgeneration,Frye Gaillardhasgivenusarivetingtouralong whathecallsthefinelinebetweenhistoryand journalism.Asareporter,hehaswitnesseda greatdealandinterviewedmanyofthekey figuresofthedecadethatshapedAmerica’s futurewhilebreakingitsheart.Asascholar, hehasreadwidelyandthoughtdeeplyabout ournation’shaltingpursuitofjusticeand mercyforall.AHardRainisessentialreading foratimewhenanAmericanpresidenthas willfullyignoredthehard-earnedlessonsfrom ourpassagethroughthemosttumultuous decadeofsocialchangesincetheCivilWar.”-HowellRaines―formerexecutiveeditorof TheNewYorkTimes

AHardRain:Americainthe1960s, OurDecadeofHope,Possibility,and InnocenceLost

FryeGaillard

BETWEEN THE PAGES isapodcastthat'sanextension ofWELLREADMagazine.

EachmonthIeditthefantasticvideointerviewswiththe featuredauthorsandcontributingwritersyou'llfindinside eachissuesoreaderscanseethefaces,hearthevoices, andexperiencethefullinterviews.Theyareuploadedto YouTubefortheviewers,andPodBeanforthelisteners.

There'salwaysmoretotheinterviewsthanwhatmakesit tothepage,sothesevideosaretoogoodnottoshare.

You'llfindINSIDEVOICESwithRobertGwaltneyand JeffreyDaleLofton,ANNEASKSwithAnnieMcDonnell, andme,MandyHaynes,inconversationwithsome incrediblytalentedandinterestingauthors.

Pleasetakeaminutetolikeandfollowtohelpspreadthe wordaboutTHEonlinejournalcreatedbyanauthorfor authorsandreadersofallgenresandbackgrounds.

Iappreciateyoursupportmorethanyouknow-because whenyousupportWELLREAD,you’resupportingevery authorwhoadvertisestheirbooksandsharetheirstories withWELLREADMagazine.

WHATAREYOUREADING?

WHATAREYOUREADING?

Provenance by SueMell

WinnerofMadvillePublishing's 2021BlueMoonNovelAward. Selectedasa2022GreatGroup ReadbytheWomen'sNationalBook Association,anda2022Indie FictionPickbytheCommunityof LiteraryMagazinesandPresses.

Stillgrievinghiswife’searlydeath, DJtakesrefugeinhisyounger sister’shalf-finishedbasement, imaginingacomfortableandsolitary retreatinthesmallHudsonValleytownwheretheygrewup. Instead,hefindshimselfcaughtupinhertroublingdivorce, draftedascaregiverforhis11-year-oldniece,andunableto affordthestorageunitcrammedwithhundredsofvinyl recordsandeveryotherscrapofhisformerlife.DJgiftshis nieceamarbledglassegg,aporkpiehat,andoneofhis prizedguitars.Butwhat’saskedofhimisnottogivethe perfectobject—it’stogiveofhimself.

“Ifyou’veeversufferedaloss,ifyou’veeverhadtostart over,youwillfindkinshipandhopeandevenjoyin Provenance.Icannotrecallreadingadebutnovelimbued withsuchdepthofunderstandingandcompassionforits characters,oronethatbettercapturesthemessybusinessof living.SueMellwriteslikeadream.”

-WILLALLISON, authorofthenovels WhatYouHaveLeft and LongDrive Home

RelativeConsequences

by JodyHerpin

RELATIVECONSEQUENCES

tellsthestoryofaretiredteacher whoisonamissiontofindthetruth aboutherpastnomatterwhatthe cost.

JessyTateburiesherhusbandona chillydayinOctober2005.That's whenthenightmaresbeginagain;butthistime,the sceneryisclear,andthefearisreal.However,thepuzzle piecesinherheaddon'tmakesense.Thesevivid flashbacksreflectwhathermindhasforgotten—adrama starringachildhoodfriendandagiantbanyantree.The dreamstakeherbacktowhenstreetsweresafeatnight, whennearbybeachesremainedpristine,andwhenmost folksatetheirbreakfastatthelocaldiner.Itwasatimein historywhenlittletownskeptbigsecrets.

"RelativeConsequenceswasagreatread,andIwould recommendittootherslookingforastorythathighlights theflawedhumansweareandtheforgivenesswecangive

andreceive."

-AshleyHooker,ReaderViews

“It’ssouthernfictionatitsverybest.”

TheKeeperofHappy Endings by

Barbara Davis

Anenchantingnovelaboutfate, secondchances,andhope,lostand found,bytheAmazonCharts bestsellingauthorof TheLastofthe MoonGirls.

SolineRousseliswellschooledinthe businessofhappyendings.For generationsherfamilyhaskeptan exclusivebridalsaloninParis,where magicisworkedwithneedleand thread.It’ssaidthatthebridewho wearsaRousselgownisguaranteeda lifetimeofjoy.ButdevastatinglossesduringWorldWarII leaveSoline’sworldandheartinruinsandherfaithinlove shaken.Sheboxesuphermemories,stowingthemaway,along withherbrokendreams,determinedtoforget.

Decadeslater,whilecopingwithherowntragicloss,aspiring galleryownerRoryGrantleasesSoline’soldpropertyand discoversaboxcontaininglettersandavintageweddingdress, neverworn.WhenRoryreturnsthemementos,anunlikely friendshipdevelops,andeerieparallelsinRory’sandSoline’s livesbegintosurface.It’sclearthattheyweredestinedto meet—andthatRorymayholdthekeytorightingaforty-year wrongandopeningthedoortosharedhealingand,perhaps,a littlemagic.

"Thisintriguingnovelismagicallywoventogetherwithsorrow, surprises,andhappiness,justliketheweddinggownsof‘The DressWitch’.”

—HistoricalNovelSociety

TheEchoofOldBooks:A Novelby BarbaraDavis

Anovelaboutthemagicallureofbooks andsummoningthecouragetorewrite ourstories.

Rare-bookdealerAshlynGreer’s affinityforbooksextendsbeyondthe intoxicatingscentofoldpaper,ink,and leather.Shecanfeeltheechoesofthe books’previousowners—anemotional fingerprintonlyshecanread.When Ashlyndiscoversapairofbeautifully boundvolumesthatappeartohave neverbeenpublished,hergiftquicklybecomesanobsession. Notonlyiseachinscribedwithastartlingincrimination,butthe authors,HemiandBelle,tellconflictingsidesofatragic romance.

Withnotraceofhowthesemysteriousbookscameintothe world,Ashlyniscaughtupinadecades-oldliterarymystery, beckonedbytwoheartsinruins,whoevertheywere,wherever theyare.Determinedtolearnthetruthbehindthedoomedlovers’ tale,shereadson,followingatrailofbrokenpromisesand seeminglyunforgivablebetrayals.ThemoreAshlynlearnsabout HemiandBelle,thenearershecomestobringingclosuretotheir lovestory—andtotheunfinishedchaptersofherownlife.

“Theauthor’sabilitytopresenttwodifferent,butrelated, heartbreakingstoriesinsideherownnovelandkeepallthe voicesdistinctissoimpressive.Thefascinatingcharactersand thebeautyofthewritingpullthereaderin…Highly recommended.”—HistoricalNovelsReview

IslomanesofCumberland Island by

RitaWeltyBourke

“Withablendoftruehistoryand fiction,Bourkeweavesthestoriesof thepastandpresenttogetherina captivatingwaythatlendstruevisuals andemotionstothereader.” -

PublishersWeekly IslomanesofCumberlandIslandtakes youonajourneytothemost controversialNationalSeashoreinthe

UnitedStates.Sailuptheintracoastalwaterway,disembarkat Dungenessdock,andgreetthewildhorsesgrazingthere.Walk totheruinsoftheCarnegiemansion,thenacrossthedunesto theAtlantic.Thebeachwillbelargelydeserted.Breathe.You areonanisland.

Tenyearsofreturningtothisbarrierisland,yearafteryear,is notenough.Therearealwaysnewthingstosee,giftstotreasure andholdclose,untilyoucanreturn.

LiveoaksandsawpalmettoswillspringupwhereCarnegie carswereonceparked.Stallionswillstealmaresfrom establishedbandsandfoalswillbeborn.Houseswillsag,and fall,andthelumberwilldisintegrateintotheelementsfrom whichitwascreated.Theloggerheadturtleswillcomeoutof thesea,laytheireggs,andreturntothesea.Thelastofthe retained-rightscontractswillexpire,andtheislandwillslowly healfromallthathasbeendonetoher.

LifeIsGood:Wit&Wisdom ofaVermontHomesteader by NancyCareyJohnson

NancyCareyJohnsonisan accidentalwriter.Awife,amother offourboys,aguitar-playing singer/songwriter,adelimanager andbaker,agardenerandhemp farmer,andadoglover,herwitty andwiseobservationsaboutlifein

ruralVermontwillbyturnscrack youup,makeyouthink,andbringateartoyoureye.A relocatedBrooklynite,inthesedelectableessaysNancy takesusonatourofherlifeinPoultney,Vermont.With gentle,sometimesself-deprecatinghumorshepointsout thewayseverydayisfilledwithtreasuredmomentsand joy.Shetellshowsheenjoyssimplepleasures,likerising beforethesuntodrinkteafromaBrightandEarlyDiner mugthatwasagiftfromAuntyLuceorsingingduetswith thescarletcardinalthatlivesoutsideherbedroomwindow. Shedescribesherloveoftruckstopdiners,pickles, kitchendancing,householdgadgets,andtoolsoflife.And howfindingcauliflowerunexpectedlygrowinginthe gardenrenewsherfaith.Readandsavorthesewry observationsabouthumannatureandrichmusingson motherhood,moonshine,thenatureofforgiveness, midlife,thepassageoftime,andfriendship.

Parker'sChoice by Mike Nemeth

“Nemethmasterfullyweavestwo mysteriestogether.Whilethe protagonist[Parker]is memorable,supporting characterslikeSabrinaand Paulaalsoshine.Arazor-sharp mysterywithtwistsaplenty.”

KirkusIndieReviews

Hidingfromhistroubledpastin

Atlanta,Parker,aprincipledbutconflictedman,can't escapehisenemies.Hisformerbusinesspartner blackmailshimandhisbosscoerceshimtocommitfraud, butthesearen'thistoughesttests.Afterhisoldnemesisis killed,Parkerbecomesthechiefsuspect.Whenheandhis clevercolleague,Sabrina,uncoverevidencethathis elusivebirthfatherisinvolvedinthescheme,Parker's innatemoralcodefacesanimpossiblechallenge.Evading copsandcrooks,ParkerandSabrinasearchforanswers fromtheCarolinastoaFloridarehabandfinallyaNew Orleanscemetery.InthistwistingSouthernthriller,the choicesarebetweenbloodtiesandadeep-rootedsenseof rightandwrong.

MurderUnderaWestern Moon byAbigailKeam

MonaMoonandhernewhusband, RobertFarley,DukeofBrynellethare abouttoboardanoceanlinertoMerry OldEnglandfortheirhoneymoon whenMonareceivesanurgent telegramfromRupertHunt,hereyes andearsintheMooncoppermines.

POTENTIALRIOTATMONTANA MINESTOPDEADMINERSTOP

POSSIBLEMURDERSTOPCOMEATONCESTOP RUPERTHUNT

SincethecopperminesarethefinancialbackboneofMoon Enterprises,Monahasnochoicebuttodropherplansand traveltoMontanaonthenexttrain.SheandRobertdescend intoaworldofseethingresentments,bitteraccusationsagainst MoonEnterprises,andbaddecisionsthatposeathreatto Mona’sworld.Shetravelsincognitotosearchoutthetruthof Rupert’sallegationsagainsttheminingmanagement.She mustdecideifRupertistryingtopreventaninnocentman frombeinghungformurderorifheispartofagrandioseplot againsther.Afterall,MonahadbeenkidnappedbyRupert whilesearchingfortheSwiftsilvermineayearago.Rupertis ascoundrel,butMonahiredhimtobeherscoundrel.Isthis anotherofRupert’sgames?Regardlessofthethreat,Mona mustgettothebottomofit.ThankgoodnessRobertisbyher side...orcouldRoberthavehisownagenda?

PaulÉluardwrites,“Thereisanotherworld anditisinthisone.”Withintheseworlds, wetraveloutwardandinward,straddling ourlives’oppositions:parental/relationship struggleandloss,homeandaway,isolation andreconnection,thespiritual/mystical realmandphysicality—alwaysbalancing griefandreemergence,helloandgoodbye. ThehybridnatureofLindaParsons’sixth collection,Valediction,withpoems, diptychs,andmicroessays,bringsthose oppositionsintofocusandreconciliation andgroundsherintheearthunderherfeet, especiallyinhergardeningmeditations.In thisstriving,wearebalancedandgrounded withherassheliftstheveilonwhatit meanstoliveandcreatefully,eveninthe faceofimpermanence.

InApril2020,attheheightofthepandemic inNewYorkCity,Andrew,theassistant directorofafuneralhomeonemilefrom ElmhurstHospital,the“epicenterofthe epicenter,”meetsalegendaryConeyIsland witchdoctor(LelyaDorche),whomakes himanofferthatcouldbetterhischancesof keepinghisCOVID-positiveelderlyparents andhisseverelyasthmatic13-year-oldson, Miro,offtheever-expandinglistofvirus mortalities.Tokeepuphisendofthe bargain,Andrewwillhavetofindhisway toBulgaria(nosmalltaskconsideringthat there’sabanonpassengerflightstoEurope) tosecure10litersofarareMacedonian pinesap,akeyingredientofLelyaDorche’s provenremedy.

Onacollectivelevel,thehuman diasporaisincalculable.Ourleavingand resettlingareasancientasweare, whetherimmigrant,refugee,exile,or pioneer.InSplinter,SusanO'Dell Underwood'spoemstracetheunique experiencesoftheAppalachiandiaspora. Splintersuggeststhedeepambivalence inthebreakingaway,asunderingwhich canneverbemended.Thesepoemstest theemotionalspectrum,weighingthe joyfulpossibilitiesandsorrowsof leavingagainsttheobligationofthose whostay"home,"gratefulyetbereftin analteredplace.

MADVILLEPUBLISHING seeksoutandencouragesliterarywriters withuniquevoices.Welookforwriterswhoexpresscomplexideasin simpleterms.Welookforcriticalthinkerswithatwang,alilt,oraclick intheirvoices.Andpatois!Weloveagoodpatois.Wewanttohearthose regionalismsinourwriters’voices.Wewanttopreservethesoundofour historiesthroughourvoicescompleteandhonest,dialectalfeaturesand all.Wewanttohighlightthosefeaturesthatmakeourculturesspecialin waysthatdonotfocusondivision,butrathershineanappreciativelight onourdiversity.

SetList:ANovel by RaymondL.Atkins

SETLISTbeginsin1970,when BlanchardShanklesandJohnCovey cometogetherandstartmakingmusic inarockandrollbandnamedSkyye. Theyweretwoyoungmenfrom Sequoyah,Georgia,withlimited prospectsandbigdreams,whowere joinedintheirquestforfameand fortunebytheirfriendsFordMan Cooper,ChickenRaines,JimboTant, TuckerMcFry,andSimpsonTaggart.Thesefledglingmusicians setoutuponamusicalvoyagethatspannedfourdecades,fifty states,anduncountedmilesastheypursuedtheelusivesuccess thatwasalwaysjustonesongaheadofthem.Alongthewaythe bandplayedbarsandclubs,carnivalsanddances,divesand festivals,andtogetherthroughgoodtimesandbad,sickness andhealth,romance,marriage,divorce,birth,anddeath,they eachbuilttwolives:theoneoutunderthelightsthattheywere drawntolikemothstoaflame,andtheonetheycamebackto whenthemusicstoppedandthecrowdswenthome.Thestory alternatesbetweenpresent-dayNorthGeorgiaandthe1970s andisthestoryofabarbandastoldprimarilythroughtheeyes ofitsleadguitarplayer,BlanchardShankles,anditsbass player,JohnCovey.Eachchapterisbuiltaroundanoriginal songintheband'srepertoireplusaniconicsongfromthe archivesofrockandroll,andtogetherthesesongsandthese chaptersformthesetlistofthebandmembers'lives.

SouthoftheEtowah:The ViewfromtheWrongSideof theRiver by RaymondL. Atkins

NovelistRaymondL.Atkinsoffers alightheartedchangeofpaceinthis collectionofhumorousessays.He exploresadiverserangeoftopicsas seenfromtheporchofhishomeon thesouthernbankofthemighty EtowahRiverinnorthernGeorgia.

Fromthisloftyheightheholdsforthonholidays, parenthood,cars,homeownership,aging,travel, medicine,technology,ballet,movies,marriage, Shakespeare,dogs,cats,music,swimmingpools,vintage television,nicknames,amusementparks,restaurants, schoolprojects,language,computers,hair,badjobs, WilliamFaulkner,weddings,advertising,Broadwayplays, yardwork,hospitals,cooking,ElvisPresley,moving, money,art,college,dinnertheater,andavarietyofother subjects.

Atkinslivesandwritesonariver,andtheviewfrom SouthoftheEtowahisunique.Itisfunny,irreverent,wise, andwellworththetrip.Socomealong!Thereisplentyof roomontheporch,thecoffeepotison,andacoolbreeze isblowingupfromtheriver.

NeverBackDown by ChristopherSwann

She'sfoughtagainstthedarkness herwholelife--butnowshewill discoverwhathappenswhenthat verydarknessfightsbackinthis thrillingfollow-uptoChristopher Swann's NeverGoHome and NeverTurnBack,perfectforfans ofMichaelFarrisSmithandBrian Panowich.

Foraslongasshecouldremember,SusannahFaulkner knewthateventhoughshelivedadangerousandviolent life,shewouldtryherbesttodosomegoodintheworld. She'shunteddownevilmenbefore,buttheonemanthat putsfearintoherheart,theonemanwhocoulddestroy everythingsheloves,istheonemanshecannottrack down.Andworstofall...shedoesn'tknowwhatwill happenwhenshefindshim.Orifhefindsherfirst.

“Swannhasatruegiftforwritinggenuinelyflawed charactersthataresosympathetictheystillwinmeallthe wayover,andthistalentisonfulldisplayinNeverBack Down.IloveSuzieFaulknerforherhugeheart,hersmart mouth,andherextremelypoorimpulsecontrol.NeverBack Downisawildrideworthy ofthisgoldstandardseries;I’ll followSuzieanywhere.”

--JoshilynJackson,NewYorkTimes andUSATodaybestsellingnovelist

Touched by CarolynHaines

Thisbookinvolvesmembersofthe samefamilyasinSUMMEROF THEREDEEMERS,theMcVay family.Butit’ssetin1926inthe samecommunityofJexville.

ConflictsinasmallSoutherntown bubbletothesurfaceinthistaleof repressionandprophecy,thesecond bookinTheJexvilleChronicles

trilogy.Sixteen-year-oldMattiecomestoMississippiin thesummerof1926asamail-orderbrideandfindsa quiet,deeplyreligiouscommunitywrappedinrigidviews ofawoman'sproperrole.WhenDuncanMcVay,thenineyear-olddaughterofJexville'smostcontroversialwoman, isstruckbylightningwhiledancing,thetownspeopleare horrifiedwhenshedoesn'tdiebutsurvives-andisgiven thegiftofprophecy.Abusedandmistreatedbyher handsomehusband,MattiedefendsDuncan.Shefinds comfortinherfriendshipwithJoHannaandtheMcVay family,butdefyingthetownhasconsequences.Whena hurricanelashesthearea,thetownspeopleblameDuncan. Actionleadstotragedy.ForbothMattieandJohanna,the futureholdsheartache,butultimatelyalong-awaitedand stunninglyexecutedrevenge.

TheBestofthe

Shortest:ASouthern WritersReading

Reunion Editor: Suzanne

Hudson with Joe Formichella and Mandy

Haynes

Featuringstoriesby: MarlinBarton+Rick Bragg+SonnyBrewer+ DougCrandell+PiaZ.

Ehrhardt+DavidWright

Falade’+BethAnn

Fennelly+JoeFormichella+PatriciaFoster+Tom Franklin+RobertGatewood+JasonHeadley+Jim Gilbert+FrankTurnerHollon+SuzanneHudson+

JoshilynJackson+BretAnthonyJohnston+Abbott

Kahler+DougKelley+CassandraKing+Suzanne

Kingsbury+BevMarshall+MichaelMorris+Janet

Nodar+JenniferPaddock+TheodorePitsios+

LynnPruett+RonRash+MichelleRichmond+

DayneSherman+GeorgeSingleton+RobertSt.

John+SidneyThompson+DanielWallace+Daren

Wang+JamesWhorton,Jr.+MacWalcott+Karen

SpearsZacharias

“Thiscollectionisquitepositivelyonfirewithhumor andheartache,darknessandlight,andcountless blazingturnsofphrase.Anessentialadditionto everySouthernreader’scollection.Ihaveknownand admiredafairnumberofwritersinthesepagesfora longtimebutseeingtheirworkalltogetherlikethis fillsmeupwithlove,love,love.” —MichaelKnight, Eveningland,winnerofaTrumanCapoteAward,a NYTimeseditor’spick,andaSouthernBookofthe Year (SouthernLivingMagazine)

PUBLICATION:NOVEMBER18,2023

2023WINNER FORFIRST NOVEL

RobertGwaltney!

WalkingTheWrongWayHome by MandyHaynes

Spanningnearlytwentydecades, thestrugglesandvictoriesthese charactersfacearetimelessasthey allworktowardsthesamegoal. Aplacetofeelsafe,aplacetocall home.

SharpasaSerpent'sTooth:Evaand otherstories by Mandy Haynes

Eachstoryfeaturesafemale protagonist,rangingfromtento ninety-fiveyearsofage.Setinthe south,you’llfollowtheseyoung womenandgirlsastheylearnthat they’restrongerthantheyever thoughtpossible.

Oliver by MandyHaynes

“DearGod…andJesusandMary…”

Eventhougheleven-yearoldOlivia israisedSouthernBaptist,shelikes tocoverherbaseswhenaskingfora favor.UnlikeherbrotherOliver,she struggleswithkeepinghertemperin checkandstayingoutoftrouble.But Oliverisdifferent,andinthesummer of’72heprovestoOliviathere’s magicineverything-it’suptousto seeit.

WorkInProgress editedby Mandy Haynes

Haveyoueverfinishedabookand wondered,"Whatmadetheauthorthink ofthat?"Orwonderediftherewasa chapterintheoriginalmanuscriptthat didn'tmakeitthroughthefinaledits?

WorkInProgressincludesfifty-nine excerptsfromsometalentedauthors' worksinprogressindifferentstagesof thewritingprocess,followedupwith thestorybehindthestoryofthepiece, andthestorybehindtheauthorwho wroteit.

RASPBERRYPEACHSIPPER

INGREDIENTS

4tsp.NaturallySweetRaspberry

1⁄2cupfrozenpeaches

1⁄2pintraspberries

1cupsparklingwater

2cupshotwater

1cupice

DIRECTIONS

Steepfourtsp.ofNaturallySweetRaspberryteainto2cupsof hotwaterfor2minutesandthenchill.Add1cupofsparkling water.Muddleraspberriesandtopwithchilledtea,sparkling water,ice,andfrozenpeaches.

KeeptheFireBurning

byJamesWade

“Hebecameapartofus.Somuchsothatwhenwetalk aboutCormacMcCarthy,we’retalkingaboutsomesmall partofourselves.Andaslongaswekeepthefireburning, heishere,carryingitwithus.”

Itfeelsselfishtowriteanythingaboutmyrelationshipto CormacMcCarthyor,moreaccurately,hiswork.Withhis passing,everyliteraryorliterary-adjacentpublicationin theworldwillbefilledwithtributestohisprose,his prominence,andhisnotedlackofpresenceinthepublic eye.Manyauthorswillpaytheirrespectsby acknowledgingMcCarthy’sinfluenceontheirownwriting or,ifnot,thensurelytheawetheyfeltwhentheyfirstread oneofhisnovels.Evenso,asoftenhappenswithwriters,I findmyselfstrugglingwiththeguiltthatsomehow,by writinganythingatallaboutthemanwhoimpactedmy lifemorethananyotheroverthelastdecade,I’mtryingto self-promoteormakehisdepartureaboutanythingother thanA)thegreatlosstheliteraryworldisfeeling,andB) thegreatlegacyhehasleftus.

ThefirstthingI’lladmitisthatIfeltoddaboutthe fervorofmyadmirationevenwhenMr.McCarthywas alive.I’manavidsportsfan.Therehavebeenmany playersinmanysportsthatI’veliked.YetI’venevercared enoughtobuyajersey.Iverymuchenjoyfilms.Thereare actors/actressesanddirectorswhoIseemtogravitate toward.ButIdon’tlineuptopre-buyticketstoevery TerrenceMalickopening,andIreadilyadmitthatCary Granthadsomebusts(EnterMadame,KissandMakeUp).

EvenasachildtherewasnooneItrulyidolized.Soit wasastrangeandunwelcomefeelingwhenIreadmyfirst McCarthynovel(AllThePrettyHorses)andfoundmyself lookingaroundtoseeifeveryotherpersonintheworld wasreadingthissamebookbecauseIfeltlikesurelythey shouldbe.

ThatsamedayIbought TheCrossing andstayedupall nightreadingit.Then CitiesofthePlain,whichleftme gaspingforairnearitsconclusionwhenIrealizedIhad beenholdingmybreathfornearlyfourpages.

IwouldhavetoldyouthenthatMcCarthyhadnoequal pastorpresent.IrealizedIhadfoundsomethingthat wouldaltertheveryfoundationofmylife.Something, likeareligion,orperhapsevenanaddiction,thatIwould fallbackontimeandtimeagain.Likeanygoodaddictor

zealot,Ineededmore.Wherebettertostartthanatthe beginning?

TheOrchardKeeper–Howcouldthisbeanyone’sfirst novel?Theconfidenceoftheprose.Theemphasison sceneratherthanstory.Itwasnogothicwestern,buteven inthehillsofeasternTennesseethatsamesenseof masteryemerged.Thenovel’smostmemorablescene,the greatcollapsingoftheGreenFlyInn,wasstruckby editorsmultipletimes,butmultipletimesMcCarthy foughtback.Hewasbrokeandunpublished,buthefought tokeepthescenebecauseheknewwhatpoweritheld.His propensityfornaturalismshines,asdoeshisgiftfor showingaworldthatalwaysappearsonthecuspofa terriblechangefromonewaytoanother.Inthiscase,the encroachmentofsocietyonthewildsofAppalachia.

OuterDark -Despitehisdebutbrilliance,wealready seegrowth.Thefirstofhis“goingsomewhere”novels (OuterDark,ChildofGod,BloodMeridian,AllthePretty Horses,TheCrossing,NoCountryForOldMen,The Road,even ThePassenger tosomedegree)where charactersareconstantlyonthemove,eitherpursuingor beingpursued.AnearlyscenewithCullastumblinglostin thedarkwoodsflexeshisprose.Andinthisnovelwesee thefirstexampleofMcCarthy’snightmarishvillains.The

triuneslipsthroughthenovelsinitalics,doingterrible deedsandshowingreaderswhattheycanexpectfrom futurecharacterslikeTheJudge,AntonChigurh,Eduardo, andtheroamingcannibalsof TheRoad.

ChildofGod -Short,unsweet.McCarthychallengesus tolooknotjustatthesad,patheticBallard,buttolookat ourroleinhisbecoming.Toaskifwemightatallhold ourselvesaccountableforhiscondition.Orworse,toaskif somewherewithinusliesthesamedarkness.

Suttree -Hisgreatestnovel?Manydisagree.Some don’t.Humor.Prose.Arageagainstbeingalivebutalso againstdying.Hiscompleteabandonmentofplotandtotal embraceofcharacterchallengesustoseethenarrative one,two,threelayersdeep.Yes,thewritingisunrivaled. Yes,thephilosophyisthoughtfulandbeautifullyrendered. Butthenovel,theonlyonenamedforitscentralcharacter, iswhollySuttree.Withlittletonointeriority,McCarthy makesuslaughandgrieveandstandinawewith

CorneliusSuttree.Weknowhimjustbytraveling alongsidehimforthesefewyears.Wearen’ttoldhis feelings.Wearen’tgivenhismotives.Wejustexistthere withhim.AndtherewithintheJoycean-likelandscapeof McCarthy’sKnoxville.

BloodMeridian -Nogloves.Noservice.Surreal, cosmicprosesetdownatopananti-naturalismthatpaints theworldentireinamalevolentred.Challengesthe historyofwestwardexpansion.Challengesthenatureof humanbeings.Andcertainlychallengesthemodern conventionsofthenovel.

AllThePrettyHorses -Finally,thecredithedeserves. Theawards.Themoney.Thecareerthatheneverhadand yetsimultaneouslyneverabandoned.Forthirtyyearshe survivedongrantsandbeansandtoothpastesamplesthat cameinthemail.Helostrelationships.Sacrificedfamily. Butnow,withJohnGradyColeandhislossofinnocence, McCarthybecomesimmortal.

TheCrossing -Anotherboy(BillyParham),another journeyintoMexico.Butthistimetherearestorieswithin thestory.Parables.Philosophies.Biblicalprosethatcalls tocreationanddestruction.Andtheending,well…abig boomthathintsatthelong-awaitednovel, ThePassenger.

CitiesofthePlain -Writtenasascreenplay,the charactersofBillyandJohnGradywerefirstconceived forthisstory.Andnowthatwe’vebeengiventheirhistory (theprevioustwonovels),it’stimeforanending.And whatanendingtheymake.JohnGrady,hispassionand

fireandloyaltywouldalwaysbehisundoing.Billy,fails toprotecthisbrotheronceagain.Weseeacycleforthese characters(andthroughoutthenovelcycles,wheels, circles,etc.areemphasized)thatculminateswiththeonly possibleoutcome.

NoCountryForOldMen -UnflinchinglyMcCarthy, andyetwildlyapproachable.Spareprose.Fast-moving action.Andthesurpriseinteriorityofacharacterfor chaptersatatime.ThisistheclosestMcCarthycomesto themassmarket,andyeteverythingaboutitfeels completelyoriginal.Andyes,AntonChigurh.

TheRoad -Pulitzer.Oprah.AndproofthatMcCarthy canslidefromsoutherngothic,towestern,topostapocalypticwithoutspillingadropofhissignaturestyle. Hehatednaminghischaractersandmusedtoaneditorin the60sthat“maybeonedayI’llwriteonewherethere aren’tanynames.”Hedid.Theboyandthefather. Carryingthefire.Thewholethingisperfect.Dark,as usual,butalsowithsuchblindingmomentsofloveand hope.HerewehavetheworldMcCarthyhaswrittenabout fordecadesfinallycomingtopass,andwhatdoesheinsist thatwesee?Thelovebetweenafatherandhischild.

ThePassenger -It’sfinallyhere.It’sgoingtochange

everything.It’s…didhesaythedwarfhasflippers?The mostambitiousnovelofanincrediblyambitiouswriter. Andmygoodnesswhatapartinggift.Pickyourpoison. Mathematics?Themoralityoftheatomicbomb?Sinsof thefather?Loveandincestandwheresocietyand conventionclashwithinstinctandemotion?Howabout theJFKassassination?Climatechange?Culinarydelights? Thisbookhasitall.McCarthythrowshisfullweightat therelationshipbetweenourmindandourperceived reality.Betweengeniusandinsanity.Betweennihilismand fatalism

StellaMaris -Acodafor ThePassenger?Prequel, sequel,companion.Whateveryouwanttocallit.Herewe haveanovelinconversations.Itreadsatapacingsimilar toMcCarthy’splay,* TheSunsetLimited,thoughAlicia dominatesthedialoguewithhertherapist,whereasBlack andWhitespokeequally.Ifthesearethelastwordswe have,wewillcherishthem:

Ithinkourtimeisup.

Iknow.Holdmyhand.

Holdyourhand?

Yes.Iwantyouto.

Allright.Why?

Becausethat’swhatpeopledowhenthey’rewaitingfor

theendofsomething.

Somecriticsdislikehim.Almostalleditorsdespisehim. Andmanyreadersfindhisworktoodenseorchallenging orgrimorboringorpurpleor(insertopinionhere).But formyself,andthosewhobelongtothecultofMcCarthy, hewasthegreatestofourtime.Ofanytime.Notonlywas histalentexceedinglyrare,buthisdedicationtocraft ratherthanpublicityshouldbeapplaudedevenbythose whodon’tvaluehiswork.Whilepublishingchanged handsfromliterarypeopletobusinesspeople,McCarthy neverbudged.Nobooktours.Noreadingsorworkshops orseminars.Nofestivalcircuits.Hisappearancesand interviewsaresorare,theyfitonasingleGoogleSearch page.Hedidn’tcareaboutpraiseorrejection,aboutother writers,orwhowasgettingwhatnotoriety.Hejustwrote. Writingwasalltherewas.Writingiswhatmadehim happy.

Butthroughhiswriting,heachievedaneternityhe nevercaredabout.That’swhysomanyofthesepostswill feelsopersonalandpassionate.Hebecameapartofus. SomuchsothatwhenwetalkaboutCormacMcCarthy, we’retalkingaboutsomesmallpartofourselves.Andas longaswekeepthefireburning,heishere,carryingit withus.

*McCarthyalsowroteplaysandscreenplays:TheStonemason,The Gardener’sSon,TheCounselor,andTheSunsetLimited

JamesWade livesandwritesintheTexasHillCountrywithhis wifeanddaughter.Heisatwo-timeSpurAwardwinnerandthe authorofthreenovels: BeastsoftheEarth;River,SingOut;and AllThingsLeftWild.Jamesisalsoawinneroftheprestigious MPIBAReadingtheWestAward.Heiscurrentlyworkingonhis fourthnovel, HollowOuttheDark,comingin2024from BlackstonePublishing.

INSIDEVOICES

“Ithinkmanysiblingsassumetheirexperienceoftheir childhoodmatchesthatoftheirsibling,butthisisn’talwaysthe case.Memoryisafunnything…”

RobertGwaltneyandJeffreyDaleLofton interview RichardMirabella authorof Brother &SisterEntertheForest

RichardMirabella isawriterandcivilservantlivingin UpstateNewYork.Hisstorieshaveappearedin Story Magazine,AmericanShortFiction,SplitLipMagazine, andelsewhere.He'stheauthorofthenovel Brother& SisterEntertheForest.

InsideVoices(Robert): Ireadthat BrotherandSister EntertheForest,yourdebutnovel,isinspiredbya Grimm’sfairytale.Sharealittlebitaboutthat.

Richard: Mynovelispartiallyinspired,orshaped,bythe Grimm’stale LittleBrotherandLittleSister.Istarted writinganovelaboutsiblingsbeforeIreadthefairytale, butwhenIreadit,itjumpstartedsomethinginmeand reallyhelpedshapethestoryIwasstrugglingwith.It’sa longishtaleandsortofinvolved,soI’lljusttellyouthe partthatstuckouttomeandthatIranwith.Thelittle brother,afterheandhissisterrunawayfromtheircruel stepmother(ofcourse),drinksfromastreamthatwas cursedbyhisstepmother,whotheydidn’trealizeisa witch!Thebrotheristransformedintoafawn,andthe sistervowstotakecareofhim,butsheisdistractedby marriagetoaking,andthenherownproblemswiththe witch.So,mynovelisnotaretelling,thefairytaleis present.Thesymbolsarethere.

InsideVoices(Jeffrey): Theaudiobookisnarratedso beautifullybyEvePasseltiner.Itmakesmewonderwhose storythisis,Willa’sorJustin’s?

Richard:Evedidsuchagreatjob.It’sfunny,thisisa conversationI’vehadwithmanypeople!Whosebookis this?Well,it’sbothWillaandJustin’sstory.SomedaysI thinkitfullybelongstoWilla,andsomedaysIthinkit belongstoJustin.Whilewriting,Ineverdecided,though therewereperiodswhenIwasfullylivinginsideJustin’s story.Hehasalotgoingon,butI’minterestedinWilla. Herquietlife,herreactionstoJustin,herconflicting desirestohelpandtoescape.

InsideVoices(Robert): Whatinterestsyoumostabout siblingrelationships?

Richard: I’mmostinterestedinhowtheserelationships changeovertime,fromchildhoodtoadulthood.In childhoodyou’rekindofstuckwiththisperson.Youhave nochoicebuttointeractwiththem.Later,it’sachoice. You’reboundbybloodandfamilialloyalties.Thesecan sometimesbehardtoescape.I’malsofascinatedbyhow siblingsremembertheirlives.Ithinkmanysiblings

assumetheirexperienceoftheirchildhoodmatchesthatof theirsibling,butthisisn’talwaysthecase.Memoryisa funnything.“Idon’trememberitthatway!”“Wewere neverashappyasyou’reclaiming!”Thatkindofthing.

Youhaveawitnesstoyourlifetosomeextent.Theymay notseeyou,yourhistory,thewaythatyoudo.

InsideVoices(Robert): Therearedualtimelineswithin thebook:adolescenceandadulthood.Talkaboutthat choiceandtheimpactyouwantedtomake.

Richard: Thatchoicecameaboutlateintheprocess.I’d beenwritingforafewyears,revisingalinearversionof thenovelthatjustdidn’twork.Ithoughtitwasboring.So Isatwiththedocumentopenandmovedsectionsovertoa freshdocument,andrealizeditwouldworkbetteroutof sequence.Ithoughtaboutthisemotionally.Howmoments inthepastwouldfeelnexttothepresent,andifIcouldfit in-betweenmoments(likeJustin’stimeinAlbany)into thiscollage.ThisiswhenIfeltI’dgottenclosetowhatI wantedmybooktobe.Yearsintotheprocess!Youhaveto havesomuchfaithwhenyou’rewritinganovel.

InsideVoices(Jeffrey):Areviewcomparedyourwriting toShirleyJacksonandotherwriters.Whoareyourliterary titansandwhy?

Richard: ThoughIadoreShirleyJacksonandwanttosay mywritingislikehers,Idon’tthinkitis.Shehasmorein commonwithHenryJames.Thosebeautiful,ornate paragraphs.Myprose,atleastinthisnovel,issortof clippedanddirect.ButIthinkthere’saneerinessthat

comesfromShirley.Iwantedthisnoveltobeaghost story,anditkindofis.Somanywritersinspireme,though youmaynotseeitinmywork.MytitansareJamesPurdy, JoyWilliams,JamesBaldwin,BarbaraComyns,andToni Morrison.Andtherearepeoplewritingrightnowthat makemewanttokeepwriting.PeoplelikeLeniZumas, DanChaon,andMiriamToews.

InsideVoices(Jeffrey): Nowthat BrotherandSister EntertheForest isoutintheworld,what’snext?

Richard: Ihopeanothernovel.I’mtrying.Itisreally tough.Iknewwritingasecondnovelwouldbedifficult afterpublishingone.Ididn’thavepressurebefore,and didn’texpecttobepublished.Nooneispressuringme, mindyou.I’mpressuringme.Ihaveastorycollectionthat needswork,butIhaven’tgivenuponit.Iloveshort fictionandIwanttohaveastorycollectionintheworld.

RobertGwaltney, awardwinningauthorof southernfiction,isa graduateofFloridaStateUniversity.HeresidesinAtlantaGeorgia withhispartner,whereheisanactivememberoftheAtlanta literarycommunity.Robert’sworkhasappearedinsuch publicationsas TheSignalMountainReview and TheDeadMule SchoolofSouthernLiterature.Hisdebutnovel, TheCicadaTree, wontheSomersetAwardforliteraryfiction.

JeffreyDaleLofton,hailsfromWarmSprings,Ga.Hisyearstelling thestoriesofplaywrightsandscriptwriterstaughthimthepullofa powerfulstoryarc.Today,heisasenioradvisorattheLibraryof Congress,surroundedbybooksandpeoplewholovebooks. Red ClaySuzie ishisfirstworkoffiction,writtenthroughhispersonal lensgrowingupanoutsiderfiguringoutlifeandloveina conservativefamilyandcommunityintheDeepSouth.

by RichardMirabella

SUBSCRIBETOWELLREAD’SNEWYOUTUBECHANNEL!

TheFishingTrip

WilliamWalsh

WhenHannahGardnerwassixyearsold,herfather packeduphisfishinggearandtosseditinthebackofhis 1974InternationalTravelall,whichhehadpurchasedfor $500fromawomanwhosehusbandhadaheartattack whilecheeringforTigerWoodstowintheMasters Tournament.

“Heboughtitbrandnewthirty-threeyearsago,”she said,“anddroveitnearlyeverydayuntilhiseyesight startedfailinglastyear.”

DarnellGardnerdidn’tgiveadamnaboutgolf,andhe didn’tcareanounceabouttakingthekidsfishingexcept hehadwonaraffleforafishingderbyinOntario,New Yorkwhichwasnearlyathousandmilesaway.Thecontest wasaninsertedscratch-offin FishingToday,asports magazinethatcaughthiseyeontherackinK-Mart.The coversportedateenageboystrugglingtoliftafifty-two-

poundMuskiehe’dsnaggedonChautauquaLake.It’s calledthefishof10,000casts,butthisboyhititonhis thirdtry,andwhenDarnellsawthatcover,hebegan dreaming.Insidethemagazine,hescratchedofffive squaresthatwonhimthetripdesignedtopromotefishing amongyoungfolks.Thefishingderbywasforkids,butit tookDarnellabouttensecondstohatchaplantocatcha Muskieandgiveittooneofhiskidstolieandwinthe tournamentandtheprizemoney.TheTopPrizewas $5,000.

Ittooktwodaysofdriving,butHannah’solderbrother andsister,WendellandGreta,andhertwin,Lucas,rode withtheiroldmaninthatbeatupTravelall,travelingnorth forthefirsttimeintheirlivestoLakeOntario.

“Itain’tmuch,butit’spaidfor,”Darnellremindedhis kids.“Thisherevehiclewillrunforeverifyougiveita littleTLC.Don’tnevergointodebtexcepttobuyland.”

Theyweregoneforsixdays.Twodaysup.Twodaysof fishing.Twodaysback.Betweenhischildren,theycaught overfiftybluegillandsunfish,afewchannelcats,and loadsofperch.Wendellcaughtapikethatwastoosmallto keep.Theynevercaughtanythingremotelyclosetoa winner,notrophyfish,noprizemoney,andnoinvitation backnextyear.

Ontheaccountshewasfeelingpuny,Hannahdidnotgo fishing,neverlefttheSouth,andshestayedhomewithher

pregnantmother,whowassettobirthherfifthchild.

“I’mtakingthekidstoNewYorktothisherefishing tripIwon,”DarnellinformedLilith.“Iftheycatchabig enoughfish,they’llwin$5,000andaninvitebacknext year.”

“Howmuchisitgonnacostus?”Lilithasked.

“Nothing,exceptforgasandfoodup.Butifyoumake usenoughsandwichestolast,it’llcostnexttozero.”

“Whataboutahotel?”

“Mostofthat’spaidforbythefishingpeople,butIgot itallplannedout—onthewayup,we’recampinginatent insteadofpayingforahotel.”

“Howmuchisthat?”

“Onenightup.Onenightback.Sixbuckseachnight, whichain’tbad.It’llgiveWendellanopportunitytoshow whathe’slearnedinBoyScoutsandJROTC.”

WhenthenewsofDarnell’sfishingtripwhisperedin Lilith’sears,shedidn’tcomplainordiscouragehimfrom headingoutforNewYorkbecausewhenhewasagood twelvehoursreachaway,shehadplanstocallMyra Leonard,themidwifedowntheroadaboutamile.And thatisexactlywhatshedidthatfollowingSaturday morning.

“I’llcomeup‘roundnineo’clock,meandGrady.It’ll bedarkbythen.”

Hannahhadnotfeltgoodforseveraldaysleadingup

anddidnotventureforthonthefishingtripofalifetime, asherdaddycalledit.Althoughshewantedtogo,her nervousstomachmadeherillwhenshegottothinking abouthermotherbeingpregnantandleftaloneallby herselfonthefarm.Hannahwasprotective,evenforasixyear-oldchild,andshelikedbeingbyhermother’sside. BySaturday,however,shefeltbetter,andthingswere backtonormalaroundthehouse,whichwasquietfor onceinherlife.Atleastherdaddywasn’thangingaround drinkingbeerandwaitingtoyellatsomeoneforthe slightestmisstep,suchasleavingthefaucetdrippingor notgoingtothedrivewayforhismorningpaper.

Duringtheday,hermotherplayedtheradiolowonan oldiesstation,andthatmadeHannahhappybecauseLilith sangalongwiththemusic,asifthisishowshelived beforeshewasmarried.Themorningwascool,andthe doorswereopen,andabreezecutthroughtheentirefarm house,asifLilithwasblowingoldghostsoutofthe woodwork,andthewindwasticklinginfromthefront doorandwindowsthentakingeverythinguglyintheir livesrightoutthebackdoorandintothewoodsand beyondthetreelineandgoneforever.

Thatevening,aroundeighto’clock,Lilithclearedthe kitchentableofeverything.Shemovedthefruitbowland schoolbookstothehutchsothatwhenMyraandGrady arrivedeverythingwasready.Shegrabbedapillowfrom

herbedandplaceditonthekitchentable.Theyappeared preciselyatninep.m.whenthesunwasbelowthetreeline andtheskyhadlessthantwentyminutesoffadinglight. Theywalkedthehalf-milefromtheirhousetoHannah’s becausetheydidnotwantanyoneseeingtheirtruck parkedattheGardner’sfarm.Whentheywalkedintothe livingroom,Hannahstaredbecauseitwastheonlytime she’dseenablackpersonintheirhouse.

LilithguidedMyraintothekitchenwhereLilithlaid uponthelargewoodentable.Sheadjustedthepillow underherhead.Gradystoodinthekitchenwaitingtohelp Myra.

“Hannah,”Lilithsaidnervouslyandoutofbreath already,“yougositintheotherroomandturntheTVon. Youcanwatchanythingyoulike.TurnitupsoIcanhear, butyougottostayinthere.”

LilithwouldhavepreferredthatHannahnotbeatthe house,butshehadnootherchoice.WithDarnellgone,it wasnowornevertotakecareofthisbusiness.IfDarnell eversawablackpersoninhishouse,he’dkillLilith, whichwouldsolvemostofherproblemsanyway.

Inthekitchen,Myrasetherbagdownonthecounter andpulledoutseveralglassjarsofherbsandplacedthem nearthestove.Sheopenedeachjarandsniffedthemfor freshness.ShehadalargeMasonjarofmoonshine,which shepouredintoasaucepanthenmixedincohosh,cotton

rootbark,andotherspicesbeforestirringtheconcoction aroundwithawoodenspoon.

“MissLilith,I’mgonnaheatupthishoochwithsome excitements.It’llbehotbutIain’tburningoffthefun.You gottadrinkitallstraightdown.It’llmakeyoucorkhigh andbottledeepbutweain’tgotdaystotakecareofthis bizness.”

Whentheblendwasheatedup,Myrafiltereditthrough herscarfintoalargecoffeemug.

“Situp,”MyratoldLilith.“Holdyournose.Thisis nastytasting.”

Shedid,andshedrankthehotliquidstraightdown. Thenshedrankroundtwo,whichwasallsheneededto gettanked.Whenshecouldbarelysitup,Gradyleaned herbackonthetableandplacedherheadonthepillow.

“Weaboutready?”heaskedMyra.

“Ithinkso.”

“Whenyouneedtograbsomething,grabtheedgeofthe table.It’llgiveyoubalanceandpressure,”Gradytold Lilith.

Frominthelivingroom,Hannahturneddownthe volume,andwhenshecouldn’thearclearlyenough,she walkedintothekitchenandstoodwatching.Myraand GradyweretoobusytobotherwithHannahandignored her,iftheyhadevennoticedherstandingthere.

Lilithworeanoldnightgownthatifitwasruinedinthe

procedurewouldnotbemissedandcouldeasilybeburned ortossedout.WhenGradyhadherheadcomfortably situated,hepulledthenightgownoffLilith’sshouldersand downbelowherbreasts.Hebegantomassagehernipples thenpulleddownonthemtosimulateababysuckling.

He’ddonethisbefore,manyothertimestohelpMyra inducelabor.Onitsown,itwasn’tenough,butcoupled withthemoonshineandspices,andwithMyra’sother work,thiswastheirplan.

AsGradyfirmlypulledonLilith’snippleswithhis thumbandtwofingers,milkdrippedandoftensprayed acrossherstomachandrolledoffherroundnessand puddledintohishand.Whilehecontinued,Myraliftedthe gownuptoLilith’sstomachsothedaisy-floweredmaterial rosearoundherwaist.Myrathenbegantosweepher indexfingeraroundtheinsideofLilith’scervixthenraised twofingersupanddownandinacircularmotionoverand overtopullthemembranesawayfromtheinnercervix.

Hannahsatonthekitchenfloorwatchingfromfifteen feetawayatwhatshedidnotunderstandexceptithadto dowithhermomma’sbaby.Theriverstoneswerecoldon herfeet.Shegrabbedablanketoffherbedandwrappedup inswaddlingandcontinuedtowatchandlistentoher

mother’smoaning.Afteranhour,Hannahfellasleepon thecoldfloor.

Aroundthreeinthemorning,Hannahwaswokenbythe

soundofababycrying.Shejumpeduponthekitchen flooranddroppedherblanketaroundheranklesthen dashedovertoseeherbabysister.Itwassupposedtobe anotherboy.

“What’chagonnanamehermomma?”

Hermothersqueakedoutareply.

“Child,stepback,”Myrasaid.“There’sbloodand nastinessyoudon’teverwanttogetinto.”

Myraheldthebabyinherleftarmandbrushedherdark hairoffherforeheadintoawhispthatstoodupwiththe gelatinofbirth.

“Grady,coverMissLilith’sears.”

Asthebabycriedforoxygeninthenewworld,Myra walkedintothekitchen,heldthechildbyheranklesup overherhead,uptotheheightofthecabinetsandcloseto theceiling,andwithouthesitation,releasedthebaby.The newbornfellstraightdown,hittingherheadonthestone floor.Therewasathunk,andthensilence.

“Girl,handmethatblanket,”shetoldHannah.

HannahgavetheblankettoMyra.Sheplacedthebaby ontheblanketandwrappedherup,foldingandfoldingthe blanketuntileverynotionofthebabywascoveredina protectivecocoon.Myrastoodupandhandedthebundle toGrady.

“YougodoyourbiznessandI’llgetherinbedandthis placecleanedup.”

“Comewithme,”GradytoldHannah.“Iwantyouto carrythatshovel.”Hepointedtoasmall,butwellconstructedgardenshovel.

Withaflashlightinhand,Gradysetoutthroughthedark woodswithHannahfollowingbehind.Heshowedherhow tocarrytheshovelacrosshershoulder.

“Whenitgetssore,switchshoulders,”hesaid.

“KindalikeJesus?”

“Yeah,somethinglikethat.”

TheGardnerfamilyfarmwasnearlyfivehundredacres, andafterwalkingaroundforthirtyminutesovermounds anduphillsandacrossthecreekandthenoveraflat parcel,Hannahhadnoideawheretheywere.Forallshe knew,theymighthavebeeninthenextcounty.Butthen Gradystoppedandsetthebundleontheground.Hetraded theflashlightfortheshovel.

“Aimthatlightrighthere,”hedirectedHannah,andshe did.Thenhebegantodig.

“What’sthisplace?”Hannahaskedhim.

“Someplaceyoudon’twanttobe.Mymammyand pappylivehere.”

“Where?Thereain’tnohouse.”

“Theyliveintheground.”

Itwasn’talargehole,onlyone-footwidebytwofeet, andnomorethanthreefeetdeepwhenhesetthebundle intotheholeandfilleditbackin.Hestampedthedirtas

flatashecouldwithhisworkbootsthenbrushedthe groundwithaleafystickandcoveredtheareawithleaves andafewrocks.Hannahnoticedthatthethreerockswere eachaboutthesizeofafootball.

Whenhewasassuredhisjobwasdone,Gradyturned towardHannahandbentdownonhisrightknee.Hetook theflashlightfromherandshineditathisopenhand.The lightbouncedofftowardHannah’sface.“Youevertell anyoneaboutthis,I’lltossyouintherewiththatbaby.You understand?”

Hannahshookherhead.

“Youbestforgetthiseverhappened.Youwannatell someone,tellittoGod.”

“Howcomeyou’reputtingthebabyintheground?”

“Sometimeschild,thisiswhatlovelookslike.”

WhenDarnellandthekidsreturnedhomeafewdays laterfromthefishingtrip,helookedatLilithandsaid, “Yousureslimmeddown.”

“Ihadthebaby.Hecameearly.”

“Where’smylittleBeauregardat?”

“Hewasstillborn.Ilost’im.”

“What’dyoudowithhim?”

“Icalledthecounty,andtheycameandgot’im.They took’imaway.”

ThebabygirlDarnellbelievedwasababyboywas neverdiscussedagain.

Hannahcouldnotforget,andeverydayforherentire life,shethoughtaboutwhatMr.Gradytoldher.She rememberedthewaythegrasssmelledandthecoolnessof theairatthreeo’clockinthemorning,andhowforthe longesttimeshewasafraidtowalkthroughthewoodsand pastures,especiallyatnight,forfearthebabymightcome ather,crawlinglikeaspidermonkeyinahorrorfilmor somethingworse.EachSundayatchurch,shealwayssaid aprayerforherbabysister.

Inthepastfifteenyears,Hannahovercameherfearsand setoutonmanyadventureslookingforthethreerocksMr. Gradyplacedonthebaby’sgrave.Shewantedtolaysome flowersonitandtalktoher.Attimes,shetookLucaswith her,althoughheneverknewherrealintentions.She lookedforthegravesofMr.Grady’smotherandfather, whoweresharecroppersonthelandformostoftheirlife, andbeforethat,theirkinfolkwerealsosharecroppers,and sheheardstoriesthatlongago,theirpeoplewereslaves.

Hannahknewsomewereburiedonthefarm,butshenever foundthegraves.Asshegrewolder,shesetoutlatesome nightswhentheskywasclearwithjustaflashlightandher dog.Shelookedforthatsamenightsmellofgrassandair, andthereweretimeswhenshefoundit,butneverthe graves.Intheend,shesurmisedthatMr.Gradyhadtaken hersofarbackintothewilderness,theywereonsomeone else’sproperty.

Maybethey’lldigeveryoneupsomedaywhenthey buildashoppingcenterouthere.

ItwasasecretHannahhaskeptherentirelife,andeven afterMyraandGradydiedyearsapartfromoneanother, sheneversaidaword.GradydiedfirstwhenHannahwas inthefifthgrade,andwhenshewasintheeleventhgrade, Myradied.Hannahthoughtshe’dlearnwherethebaby wasburiedifGradyandMyrawereburiedwiththeir familyonherfarm,buttheywerenot.Theywereburiedin Antioch,attheAMEChurchtheyattended.Notlongafter Myrawasburied,Hannahwonderediftheywerebothin helltogether,orperhaps,Godforgavethembecausewhat theydidhadgreatervalueforhermother.Shehad conjuredupallsortsofthoughtsandideasovertheyears, andmanytimesatnight,shewoketostareouther bedroomwindow,deepintotheblacktreeswondering whereherbabysisterwasburiedandmaybeshealmost foundthegraveorwalkedbyitwithoutrecognizingthe rocks.Thatwasallshehadtogoon.Shewouldstareout thewindowforafewminutes,buttheimageofthebaby crawlingoutfrombetweentwotreesscaredher.

Oneday,sheaskedherhistoryteacher,Mr.Winkleman, ifarcheologistsevergiveuplooking.“Imean,whenthey can’tfindwhatthey’vebeensearchingforforyears,don’t theyjustgiveup?”

“SometimestheyretireorstopsearchingfortheHoly

Grail,”hetoldtheclass,“butoften,Hannah,it’sbecause theyrunoutofmoney—youknow,fundingfortheir project.Theirresourcesdryup.Othertimes,well,yes, theyjustcan’tkeepsearching.Noteverythinginthis worldwasmeanttobediscovered.”

WilliamWalshisthedirectoroftheReinhardtUniversity undergraduatecreativewritingprogramandM.F.A.program.An award-winningauthorofninebooks,hewritesfiction,poetry, essays,andinterviews.In2022,hisdebutnovel,Lakewood,was publishedbyTouchPointPress.Aswell,thepoetryanthology, WhyIWroteThisPoemwaspublishin2023byMcFarland& Co.HecurrentlyhasacontractforabookonFlannery

O’Connor’sfamilyfarm,Andalusia.Hisworkhasappearedin AWPChronicle,FivePoints,FlanneryO’ConnorReview,The GeorgiaReview,TheKenyonReview,LiteraryMatters,Michigan QuarterlyReview,NorthAmericanReview,PoetryDaily,Poets &Writers,Rattle,Shenandoah,Slant,andValparaisoPoetry Review.HeistheeditoroftheJamesDickeyReview.

OnYouthfulDigression

PhilipKobylarz

Youthisanunplannedsojourninamotelofnoone's choosing.

TaketheSleepyBearInnofQuincy,Illinois.Ithada postcardrackinthefrontofficethatwasstocked,fromtop tobottom,withSleepyBearlollipops.Notsuckers–these werereal-er–bighunkingwhitediskswithabasreliefof theSleepyBearinorangeflavor.Whatitwassupposedto tastelikewassomethingindecipherable,maybeakindof mangosandwichoratangerineonastick.Thebestthing wasthereseemedtobeanendlesssupplyandyoucould takeallyouwanted.Therewereprobablyboxesofthem nexttothelaundryroom.

TheSleepyBearInnhadaswimmingpool surroundedbyachainlinkfence.Blueluminescence paintedbychlorineandatomicagecleaningagents thousandsoftimesthestrengthofLysol.Thefurnitureof thelarge,double-bedroom,whichmeantyou'dhaveto

sleepagainwithyoursister,wasexclusivelymadeof formicaproductsstippledwithcigaretteburns.Therooms werelikebeautifulcavetempleswithlightpurpleshag carpetingandlingeriegreencurtains.

SisterandIwouldlieinbedwhileourracingminds begantonodoff.Highbeamsthatbouncedofftheceiling, thenthehallbathroommirrorafterthetelevisionwas turnedoff.Aflashlightsignaltomysister.Shewas fourteenthatyear,thinasacinnamonstick,herskinthe colorofsummerandcaramel.Shehadabrownishblonde maneandfulllipslipstickedforkissing.She'dmetaboy andhe'dcomearoundlookingforher.

Whenshedidn'trespondtohismaverickflickeringofD batteries,heleftacanofsodapopandanote.

Weneverfoundoutwhatthenotesaidbecauseshe wouldn'tletanyonereadit,notevenmother.Wewereleft toassumeitmentionedlove,orsomethingbetter,anda sadnessofconvictionthatonlyasignaturemightreveal.

Thatyearmybirthdaywasoneofthosebirthdaysthat nobodybutmecelebrated(beginningthreedayspriorto). Youknowthosebirthdays,whennotevenyourolder brothersorneighborhoodfriendsnotice.Maybebecause theywereinacoalitionofhatingandnotspeakingtoyou atthatmomentintime.

Thedaywasmadesadlyclassicalbyagigantic,multi-

layeredcake.Asugarwaferclay-mationoffrostingthe colorsofnonaturallyoccurringfoodorphenomenon.A cakeboughtatagrocerystoremadebybakerswhoyou've nevermet.

Onthatbirthdayofunrememberedannotativequantity, Sisterdecidedtorunawayfromhomeduetosomedebate oftherelativetermssetbyanall-controllingmother's mentalleashonadaughter'steenagelibido.Shewentwho knowswhere-maybeafriend'shouseormaybeshelived dangerouslyandspentonenightinherplaidfabric-seated Duster.Sheleftthehouseteary-eyedandscreaminginafit ofcat-fightfemininepassion.Vindicationoftherightsof Sister.

Livinginasmalltownatmospherecanturnany innocentGodfearingsoulintoaharlotinsearchof dangerousornaughtyfun.Never,neverforgettothank parentsforthehiddengiftstheybestowonusthatwillone dayassureclosetsfullofskeletons.

Allwasquietforadayandahalf.Quietenoughtohear theseamonkeyscavortintheirlittleplastichabitat.

Thenshecamehome.Shecamebacktodropoffa packageforme,mypresent.Inalargemanilaenvelope she’dcarefullyinsertedthreecomicbooks,twoboxesof candy,andacardboughtfromthepharmacy.Iknew becauseitsmelledlikethepharmacy.

Herfacewasredfromcrying.Myfacewaswhitefrom

understandingwhatthismeant.

Thatonedayshewouldn'tbearoundforme,mysister mediator.Thatonedayweallhavetogoaway.Thatone dayI'dhavetofendformyself.

Thatallbestbuddieseventuallygoitalone.

LaterthatnightIthoughtIheardwolvesbayingasIate icecreamandfrosting,stonedonsugarinfrontofthe T.V.'sbluelightcurtainoffakeneonpre-sleeplight.

PhilipKobylarzisanitinerantteacherofthelanguageartsand writeroffiction,poetry,bookreviews,andessays.Hehasworked asajournalist,afilmcritic,aveterinarian'sassistant,a delivereroffurniture,andanascetic.Hehasvolunteeredatthe UnionCityHistoricalMuseum.Hisworkappearsinsuch publicationsasParisReview,Poetry,TheBestAmericanPoetry series,MassachusettsReview,andLalitamba.Healsopublished acollectionpoetryentitledruesandacollectionofshortstories entitledNowLeavingNowheresville.Hespendshistimeinthe EastBay,HuntingtonBeach,andinthemonasteryinwhichhe liveswithhiscatKatdawgRocket99,hisdogChibi,andany womanwhoisabletotemporarilylovehim.

TheBoardwalk

DawnMajor

SpringBreak,DaytonaBeach,1989

Usthreegirls,milkkittens,notweanedoffthemallyet. Wereturnedourback-to-schoolclothesourmomsbought earlierintheyearforskimpyskirtsandcroppedtanks hiddendeepinoursuitcasesinthebackoftheminivan.

Stephana’sdad,whosuckedhisteethandkeptthe windowdowntosmoke,drovestraightthroughproviding traveltips.

“Followtherabbit.Yougottofollowtherabbit,girls.”

Hiswordsofadvicetousgirls,whohadrecentlyearned learner’slicensesandonedaymightmakethistriponour own.Therabbitwasthecarhecoastedbehind,thecar speedingdownI-75Sthatheclaimedwouldgetpulled overbeforehim.Whenhesawoneofourrabbitsparked ontheshoulderoffI-10headingtowardsJacksonville, Floridawiththeredandbluelightsflashinglikefireworks,

hepoundedthesteeringwheelandsaid,“Ahhhaa!See girls.That’sourrabbit.Toldyouso.”

Weindulgedhimwithschoolgirlgiggles,irrevocable laughter,knowingburiedbeneathflowerysummerdresses andone-piecedbathingsuitsourpush-upbraswaited.

Weslept‘tilnoonandthenspenttherestofthedayon thebeachcookingouryoungfleshandscheminghowwe wouldsneakouttotheboardwalkatnight.Itwould requirecunning.

TheboardwalkconjuredimagesofMTVspring breakersguzzlingbeerfrombeerbongs,DowntownJulie Brown—Wubba,Wubba,Wubba—PaulyShore,a/k/aThe Weasel,suggestinginhisstonervoicethatcollegeboys lickwhipcreamoffthefeetofdancinggirlsinDayGlo bikinis,andusparentlessgirlswatchingitallfrombehind ourRay-bans,cool,cool,cool.

MaybeitwasthedaydrinkingfollowedbyHappyHour RumRunnersandall-you-can-eatcrablegsthatloosened Stephana’sparentsup.Wedidn’task.Wetold.

“We’regoingtotheboardwalkafterdinner,butwe won’tbelate.”

“Nope.”Stephana’smomruled.

Andherdad,flushedfrombeerandrum,coveredhis wife’shandwithhisownandsaid,“Backby10:30. Latest.”

“Areyoucold?”Stephana’smomeyedusskeptically, eyesthatsaid,“Iwasonceyoung,leavingthehouseinone outfit…”

“It’swindyonthebeach.”

“Imeanit.10:30.”

Weabandonedouroversizedsweatshirtsinthesand nearthehotel,sheddingskinlikebridesliftingveilsfor thefirstkissandusgirlsallfresh.Freshlycleanedandripe fruitstillwetinthecolander.

Wouldtheyletusintoclubs?

Wedidn’tmakeithomeby10:30,11:00,midnight,or 2:00.Wegotinat3:00AMafterwaitingintheER, listeningtoReneehowlbehindawhiteprivacycurtain, drawnaroundherasifonastage—themainactover.

“Noonehelpedme!Noonehelpedme!”Sheeulogized thenurses,thedoctors,theair—amantrathatwould followherintoadultlife.Ahymnsangfromthenonwhile shefedherbodydrugs,movingherhipsmechanicallyon thefloorsofTattletales,acceptingeverybadmanthat linedupwithhereyesclosed,becausenoonehelpedher.

ShewasjustacornfedgirlfromChampagne,Illinoisonce uponatime.Abunnyrabbitinthebigwoods.

Withinaminuteofhittingtheboardwalk,thelocals foundus,targetingRenee,whowasthefriendlierofus girls,lessguarded,onlyrecentlymovedtotheSouthand becameourfriend.We’dbeentoAtlanta,werecitycagy.

ShetoldthemshewasfromIllinois. Wrong,wrong,we thought.Shetoldthemtoomuchinherskimpyskirt.She askedwherethepartywas.Theyinvitedher.Wecould all go,buttheireyeshadnarrowedtorazors,apackfocused onusprey,andtheirvoicessuggestedsomethinglessfun. TheymockedRenee.“I’mfromIllinois.I’mfrom Illinois,”theyspitoutbetweenclenchedteeth.

Ifwehadlookedcloserwhenourflipflopshitthedried splinteredboardwalkwewouldhaveseenthetruth.We wereatthewrongbeach,thewrongtownforthatmatter. NoclubsforMTVSpringBreakers,noWubba,Wubba, Wubba,onlyclosedshacksanddivebarsandboredgangs ofteenagedrunawayswillingtokickagirlinthehead, beatherdowntotheboardwalk,boysandgirlspumping fistsintohereyesocketstocurethedulldronedaysthat fueledthenight.Notwolvessinkingteethintorabbitsfor sustenance,butkidsnotmucholderthanusgorgingon violenceforsport. Followtherabbit.

Reneescreaming,“Someonehelpme!Someonehelp me!”

Andthoserunawayswhooncecametothesamebeach, tothesameboardwalk,andlikeusfantasizedabout dancingonMTV.Orlazilypassedjointstooneanother, underthepier,watchingthewaveshitthealgae-covered posts.Believingtheywerethenewgeneration,livinglife bytheirrules,untiltheygothungryandcold,andthey

rememberedtheywerejustrefugeesfrombrokenfamilies, asunwantedasthetrashthatwashedupfromtheocean. Theirjointsturnedintoglasspipes.Thesweetsmellof reeferreplacedwithburntplastic,driedlips,andzits. And theserabbits,theseGoddamrabbitsinvadingtheir territory,innewclotheswithniceteeth,whoreminded themoftheirmortality.TheseGoddamrabbitsneededto pay.

Thenthetwoofusescapingtotheothersideofthe streetcontemplatingourownhidesuntiltherewasabreak inthebeatdown,andIranandpluckedReneeoffthe boardwalk,andweran,ran,ran,ran,ranandeverything wasnotcoolatall.

Weleftthefollowingday.Notalkofrabbits,noteeth sucking,justReneestaringatuswithoneeyeclear,the other,red.Heroncebrowneyefilledwithpooledblood glaredliketheangrysunatusgirlswhodaredtoflytoo closetoit.

DawnMajorisanassociateeditoratSouthernLiteraryReview andgraduateoftheEtowahValleyCreativeWritingMFA Program.In2019,shewasawardedtheDr.RobertDriscoll ExcellenceinWritingAward,aswellasReinhardtUniversity’s FacultyChoiceAward.ShewasarecipientoftheJamesDickey ReviewLiteraryEditorFellowshipin2018.

Herwritingmaybefoundat:WellReadMagazine,Heavy FeatherReview,SouthernLiteraryReview,GeorgiaGothic Anthology,SpringerMountainPress,ElderMountain:AJournal ofOzarkStudies,FivePoints,JamesDickeyReview,Sanctuary, SedimentsLiterary-ArtsJournal,andFamilyLife Publications.Sheisanactivememberinthesouthernwriting andispartofmultiplewritingorganizations.

MajorisamemberoftheWilliamGayArchiveandhashelped editandpublishthelateauthor’sworks.Shealsoadvocatesfor southernauthorsonherblogSouthernRead.ShelivesinAtlanta, GAwithherfamily.TheBystandersisMajor’sdebutnovel.Visit www.dawnmajor.comformoreaboutMajor.

ABloodofBottles

Deborah-ZenhaAdams

Thevulturesontheriverbankpaymenomind.I’m mobilefleshandmyheightbarelyequalstheirwingspan. Neithertreatnorthreat,Idon’tdeservetheirattention.

Vulturesarecarrioneaters,feastinguponcarcassesthat littertheland.Theyliketheirmealsdead,slightly tenderized,andideallyherbivorous.

Thesevulturesaregatheredontheground,whichmakes themcollectivelyavoltoravenueoracommittee.They looklikeundertakersindarksuitsnotquitereadytostart theday.Theseareblackvultures;theydon’thaveastrong senseofsmellsotheyhaven’tyetcaughtthesweet-sick stenchofdeadanimalinthewoodsbehindme.Their olfactorily-giftedturkeyvulturecousinswillbealongsoon topointtheway,though.

It’sjustaftersevenonalate-summerTennessee morning,andquietasthegrave.Theriver’sglasssurface,

emptyoftraffic,doesn’tsparearipple.Birdsaresilent, leavesdon’trustle,humidairhangsheavy.Thevultures arequiet,aswell,butthat’stheirway.Theyhavenosyrinx toallowforcallsorsong.Alltheycanmusterisagruntor hisswhenfeedingordefending.

Despitemybestefforttoeaseontothescene,I’ma clumsyinvader.Alltheresidentsofthisriparian communityhitonmypresenceatonce.Turtlesslideoff theirlogandslipintothewater,barelybreakingthe surface.Theheronsquawksawarningtothejaysand squirrels,andsuddenlytheworldisopenforbusiness.

Eventhecommitteehasroused.Likeme,they’venoted theslidingarrivaloftwomeninaboat(adriftof fishermen)trollingtowardthecovewhereashoalof catfishlurknearthemuddybottom.Fartheraway,atiny speckonthehorizon,atowboaturgesafloatofbarges aheadofit.

Thisisthetimeofyearwhenthewaterlevelisatits lowest,aresultofsummerdroughtanddamadjustment. Becauseofthat,Icanwalkthenakedshorelinethatis usuallycoveredbythewatersofKentuckyLake.

Everydrawdownrevealsaslumofrubbish.Mymission istoharvestthegarbage.Ispottwoplasticwaterbottles, aninflatedbeachball,apairofmen’sboxershorts,three railroadspikes,andtheamputatedsectionofaboatdock, allonthefirsttwentyfeetofshorelinethatItravel.

OnceIthoughtIcouldpickupeverythingthescagof humansabandoned.Iwaswrong.IbecametheSisyphus oftheshore,presentedwithafreshstrewofrubbishevery day.Igaveuponsavingthedignityoftheneighborhood, thepurityoftheriverbank,andsettledinsteadfortidying myconscience.

NowIfocusononeparticulartypeoftrash:glass.By thetimebottlesandjarsridethewavesandcometorest onsolidground,they’vecrackedandshattered.They usuallylodgeinthemudsharp-edge-up.Glassinwateris practicallyinvisible;agoodrainturnsthisshoreintoa punjitrapwaitingforbarefootchildrenandneighborhood dogstosplashthrough.

Ispotthefirstpieceimmediately–theinvertedneckof aBudLight—justasashadowpassesoverhead.The turkeyvultureshavearrivedtoleadtheirkintothe breakfastbuffet.Thecommitteebecomesakettlewhenit fliesupandscansthegroundinever-tighteningcircles,a formationofskydiversperformingadreamballet,light andgauzyandchoreographedtoachievemaximumenergy efficiency.Keepyourhummersandtanagers—it’s this speciesIadmiremost.

Thekettlemovesbehindthetreeline,andIgobackto work.I’mcarefulwiththebrokenglass,approachingit cautiously,movingslowlyandstealthily.Eventually, undoubtedly,therewillcomeatimewhenmyattention

wanders,whenI’mdistractedforhalfathoughtbya migratingmonarchorthesplashofacarp.Myhandwill slip,andbloodwillflowbeforeIrealizeI’mslicedopen.

Whenitfinallyhappens,itwillprobablybeaminorcut, asmallinconvenience.Thenagain,itcouldbealaid-bareto-the-bonegashthatopensafloodgateoflifefluid—a gushofbloodthatdrainsmystrengthandconsciousness beforeIcancallforhelp.

Thenmysingle-useshellwillenduponthisriver’s edge,justanotherpieceofhumandetrituslitteringthe landscape.I’mavegetarian,sothat’saplusforthewake ofvulturesthatwillcleanupafterme.

Deborah-ZenhaAdamsisanaward-winningauthorofnovels, shortfiction,CNF,andpoetry.Herworkhasappearedin AdelaideLiteraryMagazine,TheOrchardsPoetryJournal,One, Sheila-na-gig,andotherjournals.You’reinvitedtovisither websitetoreadmoreofherwork.www.Deborah-Adams.com

Zoningoutwithoutconsent

Asyourmindgrabsyoufromreality

Pullingyouintoitsconfines

Asecretgardenwithmonarchbutterflies

Theshieldbehindyourbrowneyes

Becausethetruthisterrible

Inthisplace,youarefreeofpain,

Whereyoucaneatwhateverfruityoulike

Povertyisn'tathinghere

Thiswildernesshasviolets,columbineflowers,and manyotherwondersinit

Eachstepisanotherbreaththatyou'vebeenholding

Asturquoisegrassticklesyourskin

Youadmireanendlesscrystalazurelake

Filledwithlifeandnottrash

FlashesofyourTVappears

Thejadedblueglow,ahauntingcontrast

Againstthiswarmandvibrantgarden

Asyourmindwillsitaway,

Becauseitisasymbolthatreflectsthetruth

Unlikethisfantasythatdistractsyou

Withoutitspresence,youcontinuetoexplore

Fallingdeeperintoyourfracturedpsyche

Thebirdschirpingisthethemesongofyourinsanity

Asyoulayonthelivingroomfloorsurroundedbyneedles

Yourbody,justashellofabrokensoul

Tryingtosurviveondreamsandnothingmore.

K.G.Munroisanauthorandpoet.Shehasbeenpublishedin variousmagazinesandonlinepublicationssuchasOddball Magazine,PoetryPotion,ScarletDragonflyJournal,Muddy RiverReview,GreenInkMagazine,LiteraryYard,FiveItchy Fleas,Spillwords,Feversofthemind,OpenDoorMagazine, WinglessDreamer,TheWell,ArtsOfMalina,AgapeReview, EarthlyComforts.

Cat. Feralblackcat.

BlackCat YanaKane

NonamethatIknowof, nonamethatIwouldpresumetobestow. FortenyearsIhaveaddressedhim byhistitle: “Cat”.

Sometimeshecomesbyforaleisurelyvisit.

Hemeows,Ising-song:“kitty-cat”.

Hisfourpawsstepdelicatelyinasingleline, thetailflicksmyknees.

AsIstrokehisslickarchedback,

heweavesinfinitysigns aroundandaroundmyankles— ahypnoticritualofjoy.

Sometimesheshowsup skittish,bristling, notwishingtobetouched. Heeatstheofferedfoodquickly, silentlymeltsintothenight, blackintoblack.

Sometimeshemeetsme

asIamtakingawalkintheevening:

emergesfromthecoverofabush, followsmetomyhouse, flickeringoutintheshadows.

Sometimesheappearsonmyporch nightafternight,foraweek.

Sometimesheisgoneforamonthormore.

Ifret,walkaroundtheneighborhood, pausingbyeverypromisingbush, callinghim,knowingitisinvain.

Hiscomingsandgoingsarenotpredictable, arenotgovernedbymyconcerns.

Itwouldbeahumanconceit

toimaginethatthecatintends

toteachmenon-attachment.

ButIlearn,nonetheless.

Inthesupermarket,

Ipacksevencansof“seafooddinner”intomybag.

Thepurchaseisanactofhope.

Ihavenotseenhiminweeks.

Thecashieraskswithgenuineinterest:

—Whatkindofcatdoyouhave?

—Idonothaveacat.

Respondingtoherunspokenquestion, Iadd,wistfully:

—Thisisforafriend.

Shestares,perturbed.

Iwadedeeperintothetruth: —Myfriendisacat.

YanaKanewasbornintheSovietUnionandcametotheUSasa refugeeattheageof16.Sheholdsabachelor'sdegreein ElectricalEngineeringandComputerSciencefromPrinceton University,andaPhDinStatisticsfromCornellUniversity.

Recently,shewrappedupasuccessfultechnicalcareer,retiring fromComcastasaseniorprincipalengineer.Currently,Kaneis pursuingaCreativeWritingMFAdegreeatFairleighDickinson University,whereshehasbeenawardedtheMitchandLynn BaumeisterScholarship.ShehasadoublemajorinLiterary TranslationandPoetry.

Kane'srecentpoemsandproseinEnglishhaveappearedin“The RedWheelbarrow”,“PlatformReview”,and“VerseVirtual”. HerrecentbilingualRussian-Englishpoemsandpoetry translationsfromRussianintoEnglishhaveappearedin128LIT ,EastWestLiteraryForum,and"Точка.Зрения"/"View.Point" (litpoint.press).Kane'sworkwasrecognizedby"Точка.Зрения"/ "View.Point"asamong"Bestof2022"inthecategoryof "LiteraryTranslation."

ANNIEASKS…

MANDYHAYNES,AUTHOROF LITERARYFICTIONWITHA

SOUTHERNDRAWL

“HELL,WECAN’TALLBESAINTS.”

ANNIEMCDONNELLASKS

MANDYHAYNES

MandyHayneshaswrittentwoshortstorycollectionswith bothsmartandentertainingstorytelling.Themomentyou openthesebooksyouhavetoreaduntiltheend.Each storyleadsyouintoanotherexcitingonetoread.It’sher voice!Mandyisoriginal,shedoesn’tletgoofthat Southerncharmthathadmeathello.It’shersandhers alone.Thefirstbook“WalkingtheWrongWayHome” andthesecond,“SharpasaSerpent'sTooth-Evaand OtherStories”.She’salsowrittenanovella,“Oliver”. She’stheeditoroftheanthology“WorkinProgress”,and co-editoroftheSouthernWritersReadingreunion anthology,“TheBestoftheShortest”thatcomesoutlater thisyear.

TheillustriousMandyHaynesdoesn’tstopthere.She’s alsothecreatorofthisliteraryjournal,WELLREAD Magazine.Ihavetotellyouthismagazineissofabulous youdon’tevenknowwhattodowithyourselfwhenyou finishreadingitbecauseyourTBRlistjustkeepsgrowing andgrowing.InJanuary,Mandyputoutanongoingcall forsubmissionsforFiction,prose,flashfiction,poetry,and visualartandhaspublishedsomefantasticworkbysome establishedaswellasfirsttimeauthorsandartists.

ItwassuchanhonortohostthisinterviewwithMandy

Haynesbecausesheissomuchmorethanherrésumé.She reallycaresaboutwhatshe’sdoing.Shethrivesonit,as sheissomeonethatreallywantstohelppromoteother authorsbesidesherself.Ioftenhavetoremindherto discussherself.Someofusareborntobragaboutother authorsandsheisdefinitelyoneofthem.

Last,butnotleastonherrésuméishersmallbusiness, threedogswritepress-lifesupportforauthors.Shedoes interiorformatting,developmentalediting,createsbook covers,swag,graphics-younameit.Mandyisso talented!Oh,she’salsoafreelancewriterforthe Amelia Islander and AmeliaWeddings, andhashadseveralstories makethecover.

TypicallytheauthorIchooseeverymonthisonethatI believewasborntoshine.MandyHaynesisinalaneall herown.Ihavebeentryingtointerviewhersincemy columnfirstbeganinWELLREADMagazine.Because there’ssomethingaboutMandythat’sdifferentfromso manyotherauthors,bloggers,writers,readers,reporters, podcastersandauthorinterviewers.Youseeshehasallof themwrappedintoone,andshedoesthemallbeautifully, sotosaythatsheshinesisnotenough.Oneofmyfavorite quotesis“borntoshimmerborntoshine”andIhaveto saythattaglineisMandytoatee.

“HELL,WECAN’TALLBESAINTS.”

IusetheProustinterviewmodeltolearnmoreabout authors.Thismodelhasbeenaroundsince1890andIfirst sawitusedintheVanityFairMagazine.Everysingle monththeyasksomeonefamousthirty-fivequestions.SoI decideditwouldbefunifIhadmyguestsanswertenof thequestions.Interestingfactaboutthisisthatauthorscan usethisProustmodeltolearnmoreaboutthecharacters they’rewritingaboutbyaskingthemthesequestions.

Q:Whatorwhoisthegreatestloveofyourlife?

A:Myson.I’veneverlovedanotherhumanbeingas muchasIlovehim.

Q:Whichtalentwouldyoumostliketohave?

A:IwishIcouldsing,butIcan’tcarryatuneinabucket.

Q:Ifyouweretocomebackasapersonorthing,what woulditbe?

A:CarolynHaines’sdog,orcat,orhorseoranythingof Carolyn’sbecauseshehassuchunconditionalloveforall animals.

Q:Whatisyourmosttreasuredpossession?

A:Astatueofamonkey-hisnameisChief-thatsitson mydesk(nomatterwherethatmaybe).(Herprized possessionwasgiventoherbyoneofherformerpatients. Ironically,shehadnameditChief,whichwasthepatient's father’snickname.)

Annie:Thankyouforworkingatachildren’shospital, Mandy.ThatisveryimportantworkandI’msurequite emotional.(Mandywasapediatriccardiacsonographer forsixteenyearsatMonroeCarroll,Jr.Children’sHospital inNashville.)

Q:Whatdoyouvaluemostinyourfriends?

A:Honesty.

Q:Whoisyourbiggestherooffiction?

A:FlanneryO’Connor.Shewasfearless,especiallyforher time.

Q:Whatareyourfavoritenames?

A:OliverandOlivia.

Q:Whatwouldbeyourfavoriteoccupation?

A:Toownacoffeeshop.Ofcourse,thisisafantasysoI wouldhirepeopleandIcouldcomeinwhenIwantedand justtalktothecustomers!I’dhavethisbasketofyarnfor aneverendingscarfsowhilepeoplearewaitingfortheir coffee,orwhiletheyaredrinkingorwhatever,theycould crochettheirfavoritestitches.Thenwhenthescarfwas longenough,I’dtieitoffandhangitupoutsidetheshop foranyonethatneededit.

Q:I’mawarethatyouhavejustmoved,soIdohaveto askthisquestion~Wherewouldyoumostliketolive?

A:Alabama.It’sbeenanadventureandalotoffun.Ilove beingCarolynHaines’sneighborandgettingtohelpher withGoodFortuneFarmRefuge.I’mlearningsomuch andmeetingsomanyinterestingpeople,plusCarolynisa hoottobearound.AfterImovedtoAmeliaIsland,Iwas sobusywritingandworkingthatIslippedintoserious hermitmode.Ididn’trealizehowmuchImissedhaving company.Itwasn’thealthyforme-mentallyorphysically tobesoisolated.ImetCarolyninpersonlastAugustwhen IwenttoFairhopeforabookeventfor Serpent’s.She

invitedmetocomevisitheronthefarmandwehititoff. Cometofindout,CarolynwasinthesameboatIwasas farasthewholehermitthing.Longstoryshortsheturned oneofherhorsebarnsintoabarndominumandme,the pups,andAlbert(myturtle)putthehouseontheislandup forsaleandmovedonover.TheyloveithereasmuchasI do.

Makesureyoucheckoutthe BetweenThePagesPodcast fortherestofthestory!

ThankyouMandyforopeningyourselfuptothis interview.IknowIpushedyou-butIthinkgettingto knowyouisjustasimportantasallthepeopleyouwantus togettoknow.Andthankyouformakingspaceforme heretodowhatIlove!

Moe,Pearl,andCurly Mandy’sassistantsat threedogswritepress

Authorof Annie’sSong:Dandelions,Dreams&Dogs,Book

Reviewer,AuthorInterviewer,Teacher,Speaker,Writer,Author Consultant,Co-Admin.AtWorldoftheWriteReviewBookClub, Blogger,Authoronlineeventplanner.

“ThisiswhyIlovereaders…becausetheydiscoverelementsthatare therebutperhapstheauthordidnotrealize.Isupposeallthese variationsoflovearefrommysubconscious.Ithinkthatiswhereyour charactersareborn.”

MARYELLENTHOMPSONINTERVIEWS

DAWNMAJOR, AUTHOROF THEBYSTANDERS

IconnectedwithDawnMajorbyemailwhenwehad occasiontoconverseaboutourmutualfriendandauthor, RobertGwaltney.RoberthadrecentlystayedinBeaufort forThePatConroyWriter’sResidency,whichIhost,and Dawnhadaskedhimtowriteanessayabouthis experiencefor SouthernLiteraryReview,wheresheisthe AssociateEditor.Onethingledtoanotherandwehave beenchattingeversince.

Wellaccomplishedinmanyliteraryaspects,anintriguing additiontohereducationalandwritingexperienceisthat Dawnisanadventuress.Neveronetobackawayfroma challenge,it’sentirelypossibleshemaysoonrevisither interestinbeingarollerderbyqueen,butthat’sastoryfor anotherday.

WhenIreadDawn’sdebutnovel, TheBystanders,I wantedtoknowmoreaboutthestorybehindthestoryand askedhertodishalittlebitaboutwhathadbeenonher mind.

MaryEllen: TheBystanders hasbeendescribedina myriadofways.Certainlyallthecharacters,withthe exceptionofDaleSamples,whoisvastlyunlikeable, portrayacertainunderstandingoftherelationshipthey havewiththemselves.Unlikemanynovelsthathaveafew maincharacters,andperhapsahandfulofsupporting characters,yourbookhasacommunityofcharacterswho wecometoknowduringthestory,andunderstandwhat parttheyplay.You’vegivenusaglimpseattheir underpinningsandexposedtheirunderbellies.

Forinstance,WendySamplesisagoodmominaterrible situation.Hernaivetyininvitingthegirlstothetrailerfor aslumberpartyisheartrending,yetherseeminglysimple efforttosavethedaybyreadingTarotcardsisbrilliant. Sheliterallyreadthemindsofthosepettygirlsandgave themasmileandahugemetaphoricalkickinthesolar plexus.

Yousharedwithmethatyoufeltyourmomwaslike“The HighPriestess”andyouhadyourowndayofreckoning asaresultofherpractices.Tellusaboutthat.

Dawn: MymotherwasborninCaliforniainthelate1940s whichputherrightinthemiddleofcounterculture movements.Whenmymommarriedmydad,theymoved fromSacramentotoLosAngelesinthelate1960s.This wasSouthernCalifornia.Everyonehadapsychicandwas intotheNewAgemovement,includingmymom.That wasjustherthingandmysistersandIdidnotthinkmuch ofit.ShereadTarotcards,sheastralprojected,shecast spells…thepoppetinthatchapterwassomething commonlyfoundinourfreezer.Yes,wewereraised Catholic,butwewerealsoraisedlikeaminicoven. Catholicismisritualisticsoitalljustseemedlikean extensionofreligionorspiritualitytome.

“TheHighPriestess”wasmyhomagetomymother. WhilewedidnotliveinarundowntrailerlikeShannon, Wendy,andDale,wedidliveinanunfinishedbasement, andwewerepoor.Thathousehadaflatroof,anditwould leakwhenthesnowmeltedoritrained,soweputgiant

Tupperwarebowlsanddrywallbucketseverywhereto collectthewater.Later,wegirlswouldgoupontheroof withhotbucketsoftartobrushovertheseams,butit wouldinevitablyleakagain.Thewaterdamagecaused mold.Ouronlysourceofheatwasawoodburningstove andwehadtochopwoodduringthesummer.Inthe winter,ifyouwerenotinthelivingroomnearthestoveit wasverycold.SomeonedonatedawindowACunittous. ThankGod!Missouriisalsoextremelyhot.Comingfrom California,thelandofplenty,thiswasadowngrade.Idid notrealizethisimmediately,becauseIwassoyoungand thoughtIwashavingagrandadventure.Butlater,whenI becameateenagerandsawhowmyfriendslived,Iwas embarrassed.Still,Iwouldnotchangeit.IfIdidnothave thoseexperiences, TheBystanders wouldnothave existed.

AttheonesleepoverIdidhavebeforewemoved,Iwasso worriedaboutwhatthesegirlswouldthinkaboutour home.Itwasnotreallyareckoningperse...likeIwrote about,butmymommadeitfunbyreadingtheirTarot cardswhichdistractedfromthe“setting”inwhichthey foundthemselves.Shesavedthenight.Whatdidoccur, however,wasacoupleofthegirlstoldtheprincipalthat mymotherclimbedwalls(amisinterpretationofastral projection).Iwassoaccustomedtomymother’spractices, Icalmlyexplainedtoherwhatastralprojectionwas.Iwas madefunofforthat,sothiswasmywayofgettingsome resolutionforthosegirlsdivulgingoursecrets.

commentary,Ialsoreadalovestoryonsomanylevels: Eddy’sfirstloveforShannon,Wendy’smaternallovefor Shannon,Wendy’staintedloveforDale,Tina’sforbidden loveforDale,LenaandHolda’sdedicatedloveforeach otherandtheirchurch,Doll’sgossipyloveforacceptance, Anna’snarcissisticloveforherself,SisterB’ssororallove forherQueenbees.Didyouintentionallythreadthese lovestoriesthroughoutthebook?

Dawn: Yesandno.Icertainlywroteaboutunrequitedlove betweenEddyandShannon,Tina’sforbiddenlovefor Dale,andLenaandHolda’ssisterlove,whichisbasedon myloveformytwosisters.SisterB’sloveforherbees wasaboutherlovefororder.InsomepartDaleandSister Barealike.DalelovesWendyinhisownsickway,butit ishisfearoflosingherlovethatdriveshisjealousy.He triestoisolatehersonooneelsecanhaveher.Thatis commonforabusers-isolationandcontrol.SisterBand Daledonotunderstandreallove.Whentheythinkthey haveit,theyclingtoitandtrytocontrolitbecausethey areafraidtheywillloseit,orsomeoneelsewilltrytotake itawayfromthem.

Wendy’sloveforDaleismoreaboutherfearofbeing alone…thoughshedidabsolutelylovehimatonetime. AndIfeltWendyoftenputDalebeforeShannonuntilthe veryendwhenshefinallyseesDaleforwhoheis.Then, shestepsupandunderstandstheneedtogetoutand protectherdaughter.Shebecomesmorematernal,forme, atthatpoint.Notthatshewasnotmaternalbefore,buther

MARYELLENTHOMPSONINTERVIEWSDAWNMAJOR

fearofDaledrivesher.

IhadnotthoughtaboutAnnaandDollinthatway,but howintriguing.ThisiswhyIlovereaders…becausethey discoverelementsthataretherebutperhapstheauthordid notrealize.Isupposeallthesevariationsoflovearefrom mysubconscious.Ithinkthatiswhereyourcharactersare born.

MaryEllen: Eddywasourherointhefirstchapter,and bytheendofthebookheisstandingbythesideofthe roadwavinggood-bye.Yousaidtome,“PoorEddynever getsthegirl.Istillfeelbadaboutthat.”Ifyouwereto writethenextchapterinEddy’slife,wherewouldittake him?

Dawn: EddymustremaininLawrenceton.Heismore open-mindedthanmostofthetownspeople,butthetown isintegraltohissoul.Hecanneverleave.Eddyrepresents howIfeltaboutthisplace.Oh,Iwasanoutsideratfirst, butIhadaninstantloveaffairwithourland.Webought fortyacresandbeyondthattherewasnothingbutacres andacresoffarmlandandhorsefarms.Iwasintimately connectedtotheland.Magical.ThatishowEddyis,too.

Youaskedaboutloveinyourpreviousquestion.Eddy’s lovefornatureandhisancestrallandisanothersortof lovestory.

Now,atonepointIdidletEddygetShannon.Iwrotea scenewheretheywentalltheway!But,andperhapsthis iswhereIfeelalittleguilty,Islashedandburnedthose

scenes.HereIgaveShannontohim,andhewashappy andthenItookheraway,andevenworse,shehookedup withhisbadboycousin.ThisspeakstohowcloseIfeltto him.Itfeltcrueltotoywithhim,butitjustdidnotfitwith himgettingthegirl.Andthat’slife.Wedonotalwaysget thegirlortheboy.Shannondidnotfaresowellinthelove department,either.Younglovefeelssoreal,butasweall know,firstsarefirstsforareason.

MaryEllen: Thatwasquitethedreamsequencethenight beforeConfirmationatSt.Agnes!Whatinspiredyouto writethat?

Dawn: Thedreamscenewassofuntowrite!Istarted writingspeculativefiction,andIjustcouldnotholdback anymore.Ineededtotrymyhandatit.Ofcourse,thisisa realistictextsoIwasnotabletoaddaghostorawitch becauseIwouldbedeviatingfromrealism.What

Icoulddowaswrite“TheHighPriestess,”aboutWendy,a self-proclaimedwitch,andIcouldalsoaddafantastical sceneliketheonein“SaintDamianofMolokai.”Iwas experimenting,butitstemmedfrommydesiretowrite speculativefictionwhichIamdoingwithmynextnovel setinahauntedWalmartstoreinNorthGeorgia.

MaryEllen: Youhavethechapterstoldfromdifferent character'spointsofviewbutin"TheHighPriestess"you switchfromthethirdpersonpointofviewtofirstperson pointofviewinShannon’svoice.Whatwasyourreason fordoingthat?

MARYELLENTHOMPSONINTERVIEWSDAWNMAJOR

Dawn: Thatisanexcellentquestion,andIdebatedthe point-of-viewinthatchapterquiteabit.Iwasconcerned itwouldbetoojarringforthereaderwhenthatswitch camearound.Infact,whenIreceivedfinaleditsfrommy publisher,hesuggestedIchangethetensebecause originallythatchapterwastoldinpresenttense.Iagreed withthatchange;theentirebookwastoldinpasttense.I worriedaboutnotchangingittothirdperson,butmy publisherdidnothaveanissuewithkeepingitinfirst person.

However,thefirstdraftof“TheHighPriestess”was writteninthirdperson.Amentorofminefromgraduate schoolsuggestedItrythenarrationinfirstperson.

Sometimes,whenIamstrugglingwithacharacter’s voice,IplayaroundwithtenseorPOV.Asitturnedout, “TheHighPriestess”toldviafirst-personnarrationwasa muchfunnierread,Iwouldhavelostthehumorand closenessofthenarratortothereaderbyswitchingbackto thirdperson.Whenyougettothelastchapter,“Calendar Days,”therearesectionsthataretoldinfirst-person point-of-viewviaShannon’sjournalentries.Didthat balancethePOVoutsome?Iguessthereaderswilltell me.

WhenIstartedwriting TheBystanders,Iintendedfor Shannontobethemaincharacter,butitjustdidnotwork outthatway.Ohcertainly,sheappearsineverychapter andisamaincharacter,butEddyappearsineverychapter, too,andactslikeasecondaryprotagonistattimes.So, whynotwritetheentirenovelfromherperspective?

Shannon’scharacterwasanoutsider;Ithoughtitwasonly fairshehadachancetovoiceheropinionsinceeveryone inthetownhadachancetoexpresstheirviewsabouther andherdysfunctionalfamily.Butbecausethisisastory wherethetownisalsoacharacter,howimpartialdoyou thinkshewouldbeabouthernewtown?Mostofthe charactersareincrediblyhappywheretheylive.Atown doesnotcenteraroundoneperson.

Finally,IlovehowElizabethStroutgaveavoicetothe charactersinhertownin OliveKitteridge and Olive, Again. TheBystanders isanoveltoldthroughstories,like Strout’s,andthereaderdoesnothavetoreadthebookin order.Ifyouweretoread“TheHighPriestess”asastandalonestory,thenfirst-personPOVmaynotseemtostick outasmuch.

MaryEllen: AsAssociateEditorof SouthernLiterary Review,youhaveinterviewedauthorsandwrittenmany reviews.Howdoesitfeeltobeontheothersideofthe coin?

Dawn: Itmakesmeappreciatepeoplelikeyourself,Mary Ellen,whotookthetimetodoadeepdiveintomybook andformulatetheseincrediblequestions.Icannottellyou howmuchIappreciateyouinterviewingme.You discoveredelementsof TheBystanders thatwerethereall along,butIhadnotrecognizedmyself.Youtoldmeinan emailyouthought TheBystanders hadalltheselove storiesweavedthroughout.So,yes,Iwroteaboutfailed

love,firstloves,unrequitedlove,andunhealthyideasof love,butIdidnotrecognizetheotherlovestoriesyou pointedouttomelikeSisterB’sloveforherbeesandby extensionherloveforSt.AgnesSchool.

Letmeexplainmyself.Iapproachedthechapter“Road Trip,”orthefailedlovebetweenDaleandTina,asasad countrymusicsong.ImadesureIputinalltheelements ofacountrysong:adivebar,aroadtrip,sex,drugs,and rockandroll,andlovegonewrongandthensprinkledin someTonyaTuckerandDollyParton.Writingthatchapter waskindoflikewatchingacountrymusicvideowhere thewomanhasa“CometoJesus”momentandstarts slashingherman’stires.Itwasalwaysveryvisualtome andlessconceptionalintermsofitbeingaboutthe subjectoffailedlove.So,itisintriguingtobeontheother sideofthecoin(asyouputit)andfindoutwhatreaders, andgoodreaderslikeyourself,havetosay.Thisiswhat makesyouabetterwriter.Listeningtoyourreaders.

MaryEllen: Andfinally,Dawn,thatageoldquestion: Whatadvicedoyouhaveforotherwriters?

Dawn: Everypublishedwritersaysthis,butitistrue,and Iwillreiterateitandaddmyspin.Writewhatyouknow andthen(andhereismytake)….greatlyexaggerate.Here isthething.AftermovingtoGeorgiafromruralSoutheast Missouri,Ireturnedonceshortlyafterourmove,but neveragain.Welivedthereforsevenyears.IfeltlikeI knewthisplace,ormysettingatthatspecifictimeperiod.

IcontemplatedreturningwhileIwaswriting The Bystanders,butitwouldhavecorrupteditforme.I wantedmysettingandmycharacterstoremaininthe 1980ssuspendedintimeasifthisplaceandthesepeople werefossilized.Thestoryislikeamosquitotrappedin amber.Imaginationandcreativitywilldotherest.So,this isinspiredbymychildhoodandrealplaces,buttherestis exaggeration,andallfiction.

Also,gowithyourgut.Ifyougetabadvibeabouta publisherorpublication,thereisareason.Ithinkmany writerswhogettheirfirstacceptancelettersigntheirlife awaywithoutpayingattentiontowhattheyaresigning. Theyarenotattorneys.Thelegaljargoncanbe intimidating,andwritersarejustsodamnexcitedabout publishingtheirfirstbook.DOreadyourcontract thoroughlyandaskmoreseasonedauthorswhohave traveleddownthepublicationroadwhattheiropinionis. Whatisfair?Whatisegregious?Also,findouttheterms thepublisherofferstobookstoresbecausethataffects whetheryourbookisgoingtolandinindependent bookstores.Somepublishersonlycareaboutonlinesales. Bepreparedtoaskthosetypesofquestions.

Irecentlydida“WriteNow”virtualeventwiththe BroadleafWritersAssociation.Thepresident,Zachary Steele,interviewedmeandHelenPittsBradley—authorof BreachofTrustwhoalsopublishedwithMoonshine Cove—andthatsamequestioncameup.IloveHelen’s advice:“BEBOLD.BEBRAVE.”Iwouldaddthatwhen youarenewtothewritingsceneyoushouldsay“yes”to

opportunitiesthatmakeyouuncomfortablebecausethose possibilitiesofferexposure.Youneedawriting community.Youneedawritingcritiquegroup.The Bystanderswouldneverhavebeenbornwithoutmy teachers,mentors,authorfriends,workshopgroup,writing associations,mypublishingbuddy,Helen,myfamily,and thesupportofreviewersandinterviewers,and Publicationslike WellReadMagazine.So,asafinaltidbit ofadvice:BGRATEFUL!

MaryEllenThompson’sinterviewwiththelegendaryPatConroywas publishedin ALowcountryHeart.Aleadfeatureswriterfor Beaufort LifestyleMagazine foreightyearsunderJulieHalesreign,and columnistfor LowcountryWeekly fortenyears,shehasalsowrittenfor PoolerMagazine,EffinghamMagazine,CarolinaArtsMagazine,St. Mary’sMagazine and Eat,Sleep,PlayBeaufort.

MaryEllenhasveryhappyfeetandlovestotravel.RaisedontheMain LineofPhiladelphiaandtheEasternShoreofMD,shehasaB.S.From SkidmoreCollegeinBusiness.CurrentlylivingonSaintHelenaIsland, SC,shehostsaWriter’sResidencyforthePatConroyLiteraryCenter, andiswritingaretrospectivenarrative.

MARYELLENTHOMPSONREVIEWS THEBYSTANDERS

IntheopeningchapterofDawnMajor’sdebutnovel, TheBystanders,andthreadedthroughoutthebook,there areinstanceswheresomeofthecharactersarebeing caughtinthepositionofbeingbystanders.Asweknow,a bystanderissomeonewhosees/watchesanincidenttaking placebutfeelsunableorunwillingtodoanythingto affecttheoutcome.

Allbookreadersarethereforebystanders-theycan followtheplotand"watch"variousactionsoccurringbut cannot,inanyway,acttoinfluenceorchangeany outcomes,nomatterhowmuchtheymaywantto.The authoristheonlypersonwhoisnotabystander.

Thereisnodoubtthat TheBystanders isheavyonsocial commentary.Acomplexsetofcharactersliveinthesmall townofLawrenceton,Missouriinthe1980s.When

newcomersfromCalifornia,andnotverysavoryonesat that,invadetheirboundariesbymovingin,thelocalsall grabforgossipaboutthem-likekidscatchingtadpolesin apond.

But TheBystanders isalsoalovestory.Althoughfar frombeingyourtypicallovestory,itisalovestory nonetheless.Puppylove,younglove,flawedlove, obsessivelove,unrequitedlove,parentallove,allviefor attentionasthecharactersseektofind,anddefine, themselves.Goodguys,badguys,meangirls,plucky heroines,twospinstersisters (LenaandHoldaweretwins; howevermostparishionersdidn’tseethemastwo eccentrichens,butasonebigladywhocrackedinhalf), andaratherbattynuninabunnycoat,dancetoa resonatingbeatthatchangesintempothroughoutthe story,butneverinintensity.

Obviouslyaromanticatheart,Majordoesn’thesitate, withheredginess,toexposetherawandseamiersideof lifeassheexplainsinherpreface,butatthesametimeshe managestoshakethingsupandshineonconceptslikethe iconicstatusof“trailertrash”withabrighterlight.

Youwillwhipthroughthisbookinnotimebecause DawnMajorhasdugherfingernailsjustfarenoughinto yourfleshthatyou’renotsureifherlettinggowillresult inpainorpleasure,andyouhaveanachingneedtoknow whichitwillbe.

Thetwoheroines,WendySamplesandherdaughter Shannon,liveinatrailerandfacemanyoftheunfortunate experiencesthehumanconditioncanthrowattwopeople. However,despitealltheevidencetothecontraryinher ownlife,Wendystilllooksforthegoodinpeopleand unfailinglykeepsametaphoricaljarofhopetuckedinside herpocket.

Shannon,despitebeinglabeledasanoutsiderfromthe getgo,facesthedilemmaofmarkingherselfasthe outsiderbyherdressandattitude,yetstilllongsforthe acceptanceofherpeers.

Shereflects, Notonlywereweoutsiderswithour outsideways,butwewerewhitetrashinthemiddleofa townthatwassettledin17-somethingandsomething. We’retalkingaboutdeep-deep-deeprootedtraditions.And thatmadeusstandoutlikeabonfireinAntarctica.

Withsomegoodbehavior,andsomelessthansterling behavior,Shannon’sconflictisthreadedthroughoutthe storylinewitheveryonehavinghisorherownresponse andreaction.AndthenthereispoorEddyBauman,whois attractedtoShannonlikeapuppytoabiscuit.Hebecomes heronlyunlikelyfriendandhisnaivetyisrefreshingasis hisnewfoundsenseofadventure.

Wendy’sabusivehusbandandShannon’sstep-father, Dale,ismeanerthanasnakeandhasallthecharmofa cowpie. Wendydidn’texpectthefreighttrainthatcame

tearingdownthehallway,rippingthroughthelocked dooroftheirbedroom,andfistsandfleshandboneand teethandbloodhappeningsoquicklyandallatonceshe didn’thaveamomenttobescaredoreventorealizeshe wasontheotherendofhisrage,orthatitwasherflesh, bone,teeth,andblood.Andthenhisapologiesand promises,themanwiththenastyplanbehindhiseyes wasn’tgoingtotake“no”forananswer,soshestayed outoffear…

Nowtheirdirtylaundryhadgonetoolongonthe clothesline,throughshowers,sun,snow,andseasons becomingdirtieranddirtier,worthless,andlonelylike someforgottensockthatremainedonthelineyearafter yearforthewholetowntoview.

Major’sunderstandingofthepsycheisclearly evidencedwiththemyriadofemotionsthatflow throughoutthestory.Shecarefullyandaccuratelyportrays thealmostdemonicobsessioninabusiverelationshipsas WendyandDaleillustrate,andit’saprettygoodbetthat sheremembersthenuancesandfripperyofteenagegirls andtheirgossamerawarenessofself,andothers. Their bodieswereyoung,ripe,andglistenedlikebrightnew bicyclesorBingcherriesrecentlywashed,waitingin colanderstobedroppedintobutterypiecrusts.

Therearealsosomehilarioustragicomedicscenes whichkeepyouonyourtoesbecauseyou’rejustnotsure

whichwaythewindwillblow.You’llneedtoholdonto yourhatespeciallywhenthesisters’nativityset,whichis supposedtocomeallthewaydirectlyfromtheVatican, doesn’tarriveasexpectedandthesistersturnthechurch’s MidnightMasstopsy-turveywiththeirinnovativeidea.

OrwhenTheSistersoftheMostPreciousBloodhosta pre-confirmationsleepinintheirbasementcafeteria.

Bepreparedtolaugh,crossyourlegs,clenchyourfists, unlockyourjaw,andwipetearsawaywiththebackof onehandwhileyouholdthebookclutchedintheother. TheBystanders isatopnotchbookandweanticipatea meteoricclimbonbestsellerlists.

MARYELLENTHOMPSONREVIEWSTHEBYSTANDERS

Authors’ Networking Group

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OFFTHEPAGE

Let’sgooffthepage andintothelifeof RaymondAtkins

Whetheryouareareaderorawriter,thereisapretty goodchanceyouhavebeentoabooksigning.Theseare mostoftenheldatbookstores,althoughyoumayhave attendedoneataliteraryfestival,yourlocallibrary,or perhapsatabookcluboracivicorganization.Readings andsigningsareanexcellentwaytogettoknowyour favoritewriters,andinmyexperience,theyaregenerally enjoyedbyreaders,althoughonoccasiontheycanbea mixedblessingforwriters.Oh,don’tmisunderstandme.If evenoneofyoushowsupforaneventofmine,Iam grateful.Youcouldhaveboughtanyoneofamillionother books,andyouchosetobuyoneofmytitles,andIalways trytomakemypresentationworththetrip.Butsometimes withbooksignings,thingsdonotgoasexpected.

Allwritershavebooksigningstories.Hereareafewof mine.

IsupposethemostdiscouragingsigningIever participatedinwasattheSouthernFestivalofBooksin Nashville.TheSouthernFestivalisanexcellenteventthat hasbeenheldeachyearforthepastthirty-fiveyears,andI havebeenfortunateenoughtohavebeeninvitedtoattend forthreeofmybooks.Theeventisstructuredsothata varietyofwritersconductreadingsandmakepresentations eachhouratoneofseveralvenues,andthenthatgroup gatherstosignbooksforthereadingpublicduringthe

followinghour.TheepisodeIwanttosharewithyou happenedin2012ormaybe2013whenIwas“onthe road”promotingmylatesteffort, CampRedemption.

Myreadingwaswellreceived,andaftertheQandA,I wasledbyavolunteertoalargeplazaandseatedatthe tablewhereIwouldsignmybooksformyadoringfans. Therewerethirtyorfortypeoplealreadyqueuedup,and asIsattherewaitingforthesigningtobegin,anotherfifty peoplejoinedtheline.Boy,wasIexcited.Theseweremy people,andmytimehadcome.Justassoonastheclock struck2:00,thevelvetropeholdingbackmyreaders wouldberemoved,and theywouldbeallowedto baskinmyliterary awesomeness.Ichecked myshirtpockettobesure Ihadtwopensand discreetlyslippedaTicTacundermytongue. Then,myvolunteer camebacktome.She lookedabitsheepish,and shewasaccompaniedby CongressmanJohnLewis, CivilRightsiconand recentauthorof Across

ThatBridge. Helookedabitsheepishaswell.My volunteerapologeticallyexplainedthatshehadmistakenly seatedmeatthewrongtable,andthatIwouldhaveto move.IandmytwopensandtheremainsofmyTic-Tac gotuptofollowhertomyspotwhileJohnLewissatathis andbegantotakecareofsomebusiness.Bytheway, AcrossThatBridge isanexcellentbook,andifyou haven’treadit,youshould.

WhenIgottomytabletherewereabouttenreaders waitinginline,whichwasn’tonehundredormorelike JohnLewishaddrawnbutwhichcouldhavebeenworse, andIsettledinwithmybestsmiletotendtothem.

RaytoFirstReaderinLine:Goodafternoon!

FirstReaderinLinetoRay:Canyoutellmewhere JohnLewisissigning?

IsupposetheworstsigningIeverexperiencedwasone Iparticipatedinjointlywiththelate,greatTerryKayof To DancewiththeWhiteDog fame.Idon’tevenremember whichbookIwaspromoting—itmayhavebeen Sorrow Wood—andifthatwasit,thenTerrywouldhavebeen pushing TheBookofMarie,mysecond-favoriteTerryKay novelandwellworthyourtime.Theeventwasheldata charminglittlebookstoreinMacononaSaturday afternoon,andIwasthrilledwiththeopportunityto

appearwithsuchawell-knownwriter.Tosumupthe longesttwohoursofmylife,whilewewerethere,notone singlepersoncameintothestore.Atonepointthe proprietorevenlefttogogetahotdogafterfirstaskingus tokeepaneyeonthings.Iguesswelookedhonest.

Sometimesthishappens,andwhenitdoesyoujusthave toshrugitoffandnottakeitpersonally.Therewereabout thirtyotherthingsgoingonthatdayinMaconincludinga tractorpullandaninternationalfoodfestival,andthe bookstorewasdowntownandhardtofind,anditwashot, andHillaryandthoseemailssurelyhadsomethingtodo withit,andwedidn’treallywanttosellsomebooks anyway.Ifyouhappenedtobe inMaconthatdayanddidn’t cometotheevent,well,Ilike internationalfoodandtractor pullsasmuchasthenextguy, soIcan’treallyblameyou,but geezy’all,itwasTerryKay!

Mostpublishershave publicists,andoneofthemain reasonsforhavingoneistoget thebooksintoreaders’hands.

Oneofthewaystheydothisis bysettingupbooksignings, anduponthereleaseofmyfirst

book, TheFrontPorchProphet,Iwasjusttickledtodeath tobegettingthisexposure.Unfortunately,mypublicistat Medallionwasn’tfromaroundtheseparts,astheysay,and beingfromChicago,Iguessshethoughtthattheentire SoutheasternUnitedStateswasaboutasbigasCleveland. ThusitcametopassthatIfoundmyselfdrivingto Memphisfourweekendsinarow,whichisaneight-hour odysseyfrommyhouse.That’seighthourseachwayif youarefromChicagoanddon’tknow.

LuckyformeIgotnailedattheinfamousI-40speed trapallfourtrips,whichsortofbrokeupthedriveeach week.Seriously,thespeedlimitdropsfrom70to50in aboutthelengthoftimeitjusttookmetowritethis sentence,andIamafastwriter.ThenafriendlyTennessee StateTrooperexplainsthatfacttoyouasyoureceiveyour ticket.Ifyoujustcan’tbelieveitandgobacktocheckthe sign,youwillseethefollowing:TheSpeedLimitDropped to50MPHBackThereaWays.ThankYouForYour Service.Youwillalsonoticethatitisonwheelssoitcan bemovedfromplacetoplacethedaybeforepayday.

ThemostunexpectedlysuccessfulsigningIeverhad wasataBarnesandNobleinPensacola,atwhichIsolda metrictonofbooks,andIstilldon’tknowwhy.Saleswere sobriskthatthebookstoreranoutofcopies,andIhadto supplementtheirstockwithacoupleofcasesfrommy trunk(Yes,allwritershavesomeinthetrunk.Ibelieveit

isafederallaw.).Maybeitwastheweather.Itwasbeach season,butthatdayitwasrainingsohardthatpeoplewere shelteringinplaceinthebookstore.Ilookedoutofthe windowonetimeandtherewerefourflaminghorsemen onpalehorseshangingaroundtheparkinglot.Anyway, thestorewaspackedwithwetpeople,andIguesstheyall figuredthattheymightaswellbuyabookwhiletheywere inthere.Perhapstheyweretyingthemontheirheads beforeattemptingtomakeabreakforthesafetyoftheir vehicles.

Ioncedrovetoabook festivalbeingheldat BainbridgeStateCollegein SouthGeorgia.Sincemyday jobisasacollegeprofessor,I likecollegeevents,andeven thoughitwasafive-hourdrive togettoBainbridge,Ireally didn’tmind.Ijustsetthe cruisecontrolon64toavoid theinfamousUS27speedtrap, tunedintosomeclassic70s rock,whichisreallytheonlymusicyoueverwanttodrive to,andlettheauthormobileroll.WhenIpulledintothe parkinglot,however,Iwastheonlyonethere.Well,me andasweepertruck,andtobefrankwithyou,theguy

drivingitjustdidn’tstrikemeasareader.Yes,Ihad driventoBainbridgeonthewrongweekend,whichmeant thatIhadtorepeatthetripthefollowingweekend,and thatsecondtimearoundwasn’tnearlyasrelaxingasthe first.

Well,Ihavehitthismonth’swordlimit,andasMandy constantlyremindsme,“Pixelsain’tfree,bigboy.”Iwill leaveyouwiththisthought.Ifawriteryoufavoris makinganappearancenearyou,andifthetractorpullis notintownandyouhaveafinickystomachwhenitcomes tointernationalfood,considergoingtothatevent.Itwill bemuchappreciated.

RaymondL.Atkinslivesandworksinthemountainsof NorthwestGeorgia.Youcanreachhimat raymondlatkins@aol.comoronFacebookathttps:// www.facebook.com/raymondlatkins.

SharpasaSerpent'sTooth:EvaandOther

Stories by MandyHaynes

You'llmeetEva,theyoungdaughteroftravelingPentecostal preachers,whocatchessnakeswhileherparentshidebehindthe bibleandalargewoodencrate.Eva'slifechangeswhenshe makesherfirstfriendandrealizesthereismoretolifethanfear.

In PlansforSweetLorraine,you'llmeetLorraine'smama, Cordelia-afieryred-headwithatempertomatch,andamindas sharpasthestingfromaleatherstrap.She'lldoanythingtokeep herdaughtersafe.Evenifshehastobeatthedevilhimself.

Laurel,theyounggirlin TheDayIThrewtheRock hasnoidea thatshesavedsomeone'slife,orthatshemayhavekilled someonetodoit.Shejustknowsthatsheshouldbeallowedto wearoverallsandplayballliketheboys.Well,ain'tittruethat shecanthrowabaseballharderandfasterthanLukeorJohn Randall?JustaskSarahRose'sUncle...

JunebugFischer isreadytosettherecordstraightandletyou knowwhatreallyhappenedthesummersheturnedfifteen.It's true,shekilledsomeone,butsheneverkillednobodyonpurpose. Thatwaspurelyaccidental.

WhenCharlotte'sworldisturnedupsidedown,herauntisthere toputitbackonitsaxis.Charlottelearnsthateverythingshe's beentoldaboutherlonglostaunthasbeenalie,andheraunt teacheshermanyimportantlessons.Themostimportantlessonis forgiveness. CussingSnakesandCandyCigarettes isproofthat there'smagicallaroundus,allwehavetodoisopenourhearts andminds.

Acollectionofstoriesthatgivevoicestostrongsouthernwomen fromagestentoninety-five.

"MandyHaynesgivesusadirectlineintotheheartoftheDeep South.Tounderstandwhatisgenteelandgenuine,onemustalso understandwhatisnot.Strongfemalecharacterswhogetthebetter ofvillainswhoseektodestroythemaboundinthisbrilliantlycrafted collectionofshortstories.SheisFlanneryO'Connor'sequalinthe newmillennium." MarciHenna,authorof WhenWeLastSpoke and WhatLiesAhead

MandyHaynesspenthoursonbarstoolsandridinginvanslistening tooutrageoustalesfromsomeofthebestsongwritersand storytellersinNashville,Tennessee.Shetradedastressfullifeasa pediatriccardiacsonographerforahappyoneandnowspendsher timewritingandenjoyinglifeasmuchasshecan.Shelivesin Semmes,Alabamawithherthreedogs,oneturtle,andhelpstake careofseveralmoreanimalsatGoodFortuneFarmRefuge.Sheisa contributingwriterfor AmeliaIslanderMagazine,AmeliaWeddings, EditorinChiefof WELLREADMagazine,andauthoroftwoshort storycollections, WalkingtheWrongWayHome, Sharpasa

Serpent'sToothEvaandOtherStories,andanovella, Oliver.Sheis alsotheeditoroftheanthology, WorkinProgress andco-editorof theSouthernWritersReadingreunion anthology, TheBestoftheShortest.Sheis currentlyworkingonahistoricalcomingof agepsychologicalthrillerandherneverendingliteraryfictionnovelintheworks.

Likethecharactersinsomeofherstories, shenevermissesachancetojumpina creektocatchcrawdads,standupforthe underdog,ortheopportunitytomake someonelaugh.