Memphis is set to become a bookworm's paradise this weekend.The Southern Festival of Books: A Celebration of the Written Word features readings by more than 200 major writers. This year is the first time the event has left its home in Nashville.
"Memphis is a book town," said Rick Bragg. "If you're a southern author -- or any author -- you want to be there."
The prolific southern writer and holder of the Chair of Excellence in the journalism department is one of the participants who will read from his latest work at the festival.
The Cook Convention Center serves as host for all events in downtown Memphis beginning Friday. The festival runs through Sunday. Festivalgoers can meet their favorite authors at book signings as well as take in poetry readings and musical performances on three stages.
Aspiring writers and curious readers can visit more than 95 vendors from all areas of the writing and publishing world.
The University of Memphis is a major sponsor of the festival and has several activities planned for the weekend. University President Dr. Shirley Raines is one of the special guests. She will be doing readings at an 11:30 a.m. kick-off event Thursday at the V. Lane Rawlins Service Court between the UC and University Bookstore on campus. The University will also have a booth at the festival. A complete schedule of writers and events is available at www.tn-humanities.org/sessions.
"Readers who love a good story will turn out regardless of the weather or economy or if there's a football game," Bragg said. "Well, maybe not a football game."
Dr. Larry Moore, associate professor of accountancy, will also be at the festival to present his novel "Grand Jury Connections." Moore described his book as a "'Grisham-esque' murder-mystery that connects with the social changes of the 1960s."
Tying-in with the Southern Festival of Books is the English Department's River City Writers Series. The series begins Oct. 11 with a visit by novelist and poet Robert Morgan. Morgan is the author of the award-winning novel Gap Creek, an Oprah's Book Club selection. Along with an appearance at the Southern Festival of Books, Morgan will participate in three on-campus events.
"He is an acclaimed, versatile writer who we have been wanting to have come for some time," said Cary Holladay, director of River City Writers Series.
"Many of the writers we invite are teachers, and the most valuable advice he can give is based on his experiences."
Morgan will answer students' writing questions in an interview session Monday at 11:30 a.m. in Patterson Hall, then present a reading from his works at 8 p.m. in the Fogelman Center. On Tuesday, Morgan will lead a writing workshop at 1 p.m. in 405 Patterson. All events of the Southern Festival of Books and the River City Writers Series are free to University of Memphis students.
