This column usually focuses on Murfreesboro-area news for readers, poets and writers, but sometimes events across the county line merit attention. The Southern Festival of Books: A Celebration of the Written Word is definitely such an event. The festival, now in its 30th year, is a free, three-day extravaganza of author appearances, readings, panel discussions and book signings. This year’s event, held Oct. 12–14 on the Legislative Plaza in downtown Nashville, includes authors Rick Bragg, Charles Frazier, Tayari Jones, Bernice L. McFadden, Celeste Ng, Mike Mullin, B.A. Shapiro, Lee Smith and almost 200 more authors of every genre, including children’s and young adult books.
Authors with Murfreesboro connections are represented each day of the schedule:
Bonnie Tinsley of Murfreesboro will be appearing with fellow memoirists Kumiko Makihara and Jamie Sumner in a session at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 12. Tinsley’s new book is Against Every Hope: India, Mother Teresa, and a Baby Girl. Known to many as a Latin teacher in local high schools and at MTSU, Tinsley’s also the author of three books on the UNESCO World Heritage Site Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Poet David Daniel, who grew up in Murfreesboro, will appear in a session at noon on Saturday, Oct. 13, with fellow poets Tiana Clark and Jason McCall. Daniel, a past editor of the journal Ploughshares, is now director of undergraduate creative writing at Farleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. He’ll be reading from his new book Ornaments from Pitt Poetry Series.
On Sat., Oct. 13, local author Daryl Sanders (whose new book on Bob Dylan’s Nashville-recorded album Blonde on Blonde is covered here) join fellow Dylan author Daniel Wolff and author/musician Charlie McCoy for a panel discussion, “The Ballad of Bob: Nashville, Southern Music, and Dylan.” The 2 p.m. event will be held in the Nashville Public Library Commons Room in downtown Nashville, followed by a 3 p.m. book signing.
Poet Bryanna Licciardi will be appearing in a session at noon on Sunday, Oct. 14, with Nashville poet Lisa Dordal. Licciardi, author of the chapbook Skin Splitting from Finishing Line Press, is a doctoral candidate and academic advisor at MTSU. She is a Pushcart Prize nominee, past editor of the journal Redivider, and a co-curator of Poetry in the Boro.
The writing of Murfreesboro native Jim Ridley will be featured in a session concurrent with Licciardi’s at noon Oct. 14. Ridley, beloved former editor of the Nashville Scene, passed away suddenly in 2016 at age 50. Over 100 of his criticisms and essays have been compiled and edited by Steve Haruch into the book People Only Die of Love in Movies: Film Writing by Jim Ridley. Haruch is a Nashville-based writer, editor and filmmaker.
Check out the full list of authors and three-day schedule at humanitiestennessee.org. The festival is free and open to the public.
Later in October:
Oct. 24 the Barnes & Noble book club will feature the novel An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green.
Oct. 25 Murfreesboro Little Theatre will host A Ghostly Gathering: A Weaving of Storytelling, Music and Poetry. The 7 p.m. show will feature performances by storyteller Kara Kemp, musician Tara Syester, Murfreesboro Poet Laureate Kory Wells and others. Donations at the door will benefit MLT.
