THE SOUTHERN BYWAYS BOOKSTORE PROJECT

My bags are packed.  My maps are highlighted.  And my car is gassed and ready to roll.  That’s right, I’m hitting the road again. Tomorrow, I’ll inaugurate my book tour of the Southern byways right here in Nashville, Tennessee, with the release of my second novel, “The Improper Life of Bezellia Grove.”  And the very next day, I’m off and running – Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Pennsylvania (yes, I know it’s above the Mason-Dixon Line) – here I come!

Without a doubt, one of the great and unexpected joys of being published two years ago was meeting YOU – all the readers, booksellers, and bloggers – who enjoyed “Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen.”  I drove more than 18,000 miles in total introducing myself to the reading public and I believe every truck-stop employee along I-81.  But every mile was worth it, well, except for maybe about 75 of those miles in Mississippi when I’m certain I barely out ran a tornado.

After that experience, I couldn’t help but want to give a little something back to the independent booksellers down South.  So, while I’m traipsing across the Southeast and farther afield for my book tour, I’m gonna be starting a special series of blog posts profiling bookstores in Dixie.  Some I’ll be visiting in person. Others I’ve only gotten a taste of through photos, fans and alike.

I’m christening this special series of posts The Southern Byways Bookstore Project.

In the end, we’re all part of one big, wonderful book-loving family – and this is just a small way for me to celebrate being kin.  Can’t wait for the “family reunion,” hitting the road to spend some time with the people who love books as much as I do.

Posted August 16, 2010 at 8:54 am · 2 comments · Leave a Comment