Debut of the Suwanee Festival of Books Aug. 28 - 29, 2010

This coming weekend, August 28 - 29, 2010, marks the debut of a brand, new literary event: The Suwanee Festival of Books, in Suwanee, Georgia. I'll be participating in a panel at 1:30 pm, Saturday, called Got Kids Books?, along with authors Melinda Long (How I Became a Pirate, Pirates Don't Change Diapers, a Booksense, Publisher's Weekly, and NY Times best seller), Milam Propst (A Flower Blooms on Charlotte Street, which was made into a movie, "The Adventures of Ociee Nash," starring Mare Winningham and Keith Caradine), and Diane Z. Shore (Bus-A-Saurus Bop, How To Drive Your Sister Crazy"). I feel honored to be in these fine writers' company. This panel takes place in the Olde Towne Tavern & Grille.

At 4:00 pm, in Suwanee's Town Center Park, 370 Buford HIghway Northwest, Suwanee, GA 30024, I'll be presenting on my own on the Young Readers Stage. I'll talk about my debut children's middle grade novel, Gone From These Woods.

Barnes & Noble will have a bookfair at the Suwanee Festival of Books where you can purchase signed copies of GFTW, as well as books by other festival authors. Speaking of other festival authors, they include keynote, Terry Kay (To Dance With The White Dog, The Book of Marie), Philip Lee Williams (Campfire Boys and a new book, The Flower Seeker: An Epic Poem of William Bartram).

Other authors who will appear include: Deborah Wiles, Grady Thrasher and illustrator Elaine Rabon, Elizabeth Dulemba, Helen Ellis, Jackie Cooper, Jessica Handler, Laurel Snyder, Lauretta Hannon, Mark Braught, Mary Ann Rodman, Patricia Sprinkle, Rick Smith (also a keynote), Susan Rosson Spain, Vicki Alvear Shecter, and William Rawlings. Also in the Southern Breeze booth: Connie Fleming, Donna H. Bowman, Jo Kittinger, and Peggy Shaw. If you're interested in finding out more about the Society of Children's Book Writers and Book Illustrators, be sure to talk to Donna and Jo, our Southern Breeze Region co-advisors. Jo, Donna, Connie and Peggy also will have a selection of their own books for sale in their booth. For a complete list of authors, schedules, workshops, panels and other information, but sure to visit the festival website: http://suwaneefestivalofbooks.com/index.html.