Although I didn’t get to go to the Blue Ridge Book Fest this year in Flat Rock, NC, our Netwest Representative for Henderson County, Lana Hendershott set up the Netwest and NCWN table and sent me a report about the two day event. Janet Benway from Brevard and Martha O. Adams from Hendersonville were already at Blue Ridge Community College, venue for the book fest, when Lana arrived at 8:30 a.m. She said Ed Southern, Executive Director of North Carolina Writers’ Network, had already been by and left NCWN literature. Ed, who is also an author, was a presenter at the book fest this year. Karen Holmes, who made it up from Hiawassee, GA on Saturday, had only positive remarks about the entire day.
Lana said the presentations were spread among three buildings at the college. She heard Terry Kay give the keynote address and then enjoyed presentations by Ann B. Ross, author of the Miss Julia series and Joslyn Jackson who wrote the popular novels Gods in Alabama and Between Georgia.
Karen and Lana attended the lunch with Robert Morgan. “The ten dollars was a bargain for lunch and the opportunity to hear Robert Morgan read and answer questions,” Lana said.
Karen agreed. “I enjoyed hearing Robert Morgan read his poetry and talk about writing. He’s an amazingly intelligent man who also comes across as kind and caring.”
Now Karen and Lana know why we are so excited that Robert Morgan wrote the introduction for the Netwest anthology, Echoes Across the Blue Ridge, Stories, Essays and Poems by Writers Living In and Inspired by the Southern Appalachian Mountains which will be released within the next three weeks.
Karen, being a poet herself, found Glenis Redmond’s presentation entertaining and inspiring. “I spoke with her afterwards; she seems to be a true friend of poets. I purchased her book of poetry and also bought a poetry collection by Netwest member Martha O. Adams, who was another delightful person to meet.”
Lana liked the way the author tables were set up in the Courtland Room this year and the way the bookstore, Malaprops, displayed all the books up on the stage. However, that meant the speakers were often in three other buildings where the presentations were held.
Karen Holmes, who does an excellent job editing and publishing our Netwest News, said she knew names of many writers she met at the book fest, but this gave her the chance the get to know their faces.
Lana commented, “There was also actual food set up in the hallways and around that main room, too; coffee, muffins, caramel apples, popcorn and Bar BQ for lunch, not just vending machines,” She said. Lana was comparing this year’s food availability with the selection last year. It seems the Blue Ridge Book Fest is indeed growing and getting better and better.
Writing conferences and book fairs are important to our writers here in the mountains, our Netwest members. The volunteers, who put together the Blue Ridge Book Fest, and the Blue Ridge Community College are to be commended for all the work and effort that went into making this another successful event. Mark your calendar, as I am doing, for May 20, 21, 2011 to attend the Blue Ridge Book Fest in Flat Rock, NC.
Lana said the presentations were spread among three buildings at the college. She heard Terry Kay give the keynote address and then enjoyed presentations by Ann B. Ross, author of the Miss Julia series and Joslyn Jackson who wrote the popular novels Gods in Alabama and Between Georgia.
Karen and Lana attended the lunch with Robert Morgan. “The ten dollars was a bargain for lunch and the opportunity to hear Robert Morgan read and answer questions,” Lana said.
Karen agreed. “I enjoyed hearing Robert Morgan read his poetry and talk about writing. He’s an amazingly intelligent man who also comes across as kind and caring.”
Now Karen and Lana know why we are so excited that Robert Morgan wrote the introduction for the Netwest anthology, Echoes Across the Blue Ridge, Stories, Essays and Poems by Writers Living In and Inspired by the Southern Appalachian Mountains which will be released within the next three weeks.
Karen, being a poet herself, found Glenis Redmond’s presentation entertaining and inspiring. “I spoke with her afterwards; she seems to be a true friend of poets. I purchased her book of poetry and also bought a poetry collection by Netwest member Martha O. Adams, who was another delightful person to meet.”
Lana liked the way the author tables were set up in the Courtland Room this year and the way the bookstore, Malaprops, displayed all the books up on the stage. However, that meant the speakers were often in three other buildings where the presentations were held.
Karen Holmes, who does an excellent job editing and publishing our Netwest News, said she knew names of many writers she met at the book fest, but this gave her the chance the get to know their faces.
Lana commented, “There was also actual food set up in the hallways and around that main room, too; coffee, muffins, caramel apples, popcorn and Bar BQ for lunch, not just vending machines,” She said. Lana was comparing this year’s food availability with the selection last year. It seems the Blue Ridge Book Fest is indeed growing and getting better and better.
Writing conferences and book fairs are important to our writers here in the mountains, our Netwest members. The volunteers, who put together the Blue Ridge Book Fest, and the Blue Ridge Community College are to be commended for all the work and effort that went into making this another successful event. Mark your calendar, as I am doing, for May 20, 21, 2011 to attend the Blue Ridge Book Fest in Flat Rock, NC.
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