Tampa Book Buzz

news and notes:tbabj’s new website, griot awards, beazel, smith

• The Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists has a new (and much easier) website: www.tbabj.com. It looks better too (although the old site looked just fine). Update your bookmarks, everyone.
• Speaking of the TBABJ, St. Pete Times media critic and TBABJ member Eric Deggans had a great post on his blog a while back about the Griot Awards that I’ve been meaning to link to. You can read it here.
• Local writer/director Michael Beazel “has written a short screenwriting article titled Character Studies for Film and Television and he is making it available for anyone who wants a PDF copy. For a copy, email MBeazel(at)tampabay.rr.com.” (h/t to local filmmaker Paul Guzzo)
• Local author Joy V. Smith’s short story Paulie is in the December 2007 issue of Art and Prose. “It’s an offbeat story with a hint of SF at the beginning, but it’s about a man needing to find redemption. Art and Prose includes lots of art, stories, articles, poetry, interviews, tutorials, and more.” Visit www.artandprose.com/blog for more info.

book and local author news:smith, brooksville’s booktown, llewellyn

• Joy V. Smith’s article Selling a Cool Book About the House That Joy Built is #2 in the 2006 Preditors and Editors poll (non-fiction category).  Her short story Pretty Pink Planet is tied for #13 in the their short story SF category.
• The St. Pete Times has an article about Brooksville possibly becoming a “booktown.”  Sounds interesting, doesn’t it?
• Local author Kimberly Llewellyn’s new book The Quest for the Holy Veil will be available March 6.  Visit www.kimberlyllewellyn.com to learn more.

local author news:robinson, cowling

*Local writer and blogger Catherine Durkin Robinson recently had an op-ed piece published in the Tampa Tribune.

*Local author Jerry Cowling (Lincoln in the Basement) has a full calendar for February.  On February 3 and 4, he was at the Mount Dora Civil War re-enactment at Renniger’s Flea Market.  Tomorrow (February 11) he’ll be at the Dade City Pioneer Museum Farm Fest.

On February 17 and 18, Cowling will attend the Olustee Civil War show in Lake City and on February 28, he’ll be down south at the Naples Press Club Book Fair.

local author bob batchelor

Spring Hill author Bob Batchelor emailed me to introduce himself and to tell me about his book Literary Cash:Unauthorized Writings Inspired by the Legendary Johnny Cash. He said that “as the editor of the book, I thought it would be fun to pull together a bunch of great writers and let them show how JC “inspired” them. The result is a collection of 7 essays and 21 short stories by some of fantastic authors, from famed country music historian Don Cusic to novelists Lauren Baratz-Logsted, Gayle Brandeis, and Gretchen Moran Laskas. Lauren, Gayle, and Gretchen are all really successful writers and have new books coming out soon.”

His book sounds quite intriguing.  Here’s part of the press release:

JOHNNY CASH “INSPIRES” TRIBUTE ALBUM ON PAPER

BenBella Books Releases Literary Cash:Unauthorized Writings Inspired by the Legendary Johnny Cash

Tampa – Johnny Cash is a true American icon and an inspiration to millions of adoring fans worldwide. His music transcends generations and is as popular with blue-haired grandmothers as it is with their multi-pierced and tattooed grandchildren. Years after his death, Cash continues to inspire musicians and listeners.

Cash’s influence has not been lost on the writers who contributed to Literary Cash: Unauthorized Writings Inspired by the Legendary Johnny Cash, who have turned his legendary music into what editor Bob Batchelor calls, “a tribute album on paper.” 

Literary Cash is a collection of stories and creative essays inspired by the music of Johnny Cash. As a singer and songwriter, Cash became an American icon, with a sound and message that transcends genres. The stories behind his songs gave his lyrics their powerful appeal, echoing his straightforward approach to the dirt and grit of life.

“This book consists of nonfiction essays and short stories that explore Cash’s life and legacy from a variety of new and interesting angles. The short stories are inspired by Johnny Cash songs and written to give the reader a feeling that a Cash song just came to life on the page,” said Batchelor, who teaches in the School of Mass Communications at the University of South Florida. 

Literary Cash consists of contributions from 21 writers, from award-winning novelists to historians and journalists. “We have all been inspired by Johnny Cash, as writers, this is the best way we can pay tribute to him,” said Batchelor. Included in the list of contributors are novelists Lauren Baratz-Logsted, Gayle Brandeis, Gretchen Moran Laskas, Russell Rowland, science fiction author Adam-Troy Castro, and famed country music historian Don Cusic.

ABOUT THE EDITOR:

Bob Batchelor is an award-winning writer and historian. He teaches public relations in the School of Mass Communications at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Bob has written or edited five books and published more than 500 articles and essays in magazines, Web sites, and reference works. Bob graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with degrees in History, Philosophy, and Political Science. He received an MA in History from Kent State University. He currently lives in Spring Hill, Florida, with his wife, Kathy, and his daughter, Kassandra Dylan.

PUBLICATION DETAILS 

ISBN: 1-933771-03-8

13 Digit ISBN: 978-1-933771-03-8

Pub. Month: January 2007

Retail: $17.95 (US)/$24.95 (CAN)

Publisher: BenBella Books

Cover: Trade Paperback

Visit www.myspace.com/literarycash for more info.

local author news:odum, robinson, moran, van scoyoc

*Local author Ersula Knox Odum’s historical presentation of educator Dr. Mary MacLeod Bethune has been added to the Florida Humanities Council’s list of available presentations.  Odum also recently had an essay published in the Weekly Challenger.

*Local left-winger/writer/blogger Catherine Robinson recently had an op-ed piece published in the Tampa Tribune.

*Blow, a new tabloid of fiction, commentary, cartoons, verse and reviews, is debuting on September 22nd at the Bombshell Gallery, 2536 Central Avenue in St. Pete at 8 p.m.  Guests will receive the inaugural issue of Blow along with complimentary beer and food, with no cover charge.  According to Blow, its mission is “to once again engage periodical readers with entertaining prose — seasoned with sparing poetry, a few cartoons and noticeably light on advertisements — for a dollar.  The format — black ink on newsprint — is an homage to the way stories and art were once brought to the public: as economically as possible.”

The first issue will feature local writer Rachel Moran (who will attend the launch), award-winning novelist Michelle Richmond and acclaimed poet Erika Meitner, with cartoons by Playboy, Mad Magazine and others.

Visit www.blowsite.com for more info.

*Local author Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc’s newest book, Michael, will be available on October 1st.

hey authors:why do you write?

Staci Backauskas, president of the book coaching and consulting firm Jai Creations, has written an article for Creative Tampa Bay about understanding the reasons you are a writer. She says that knowing those reasons — whether you want to be rich or you write for fun — will help you focus and achieve your goals.

local author michael riso in st. pete on august 15

Local author Michael Riso will be at the St. Petersburg Public Library on August 15 at 7 p.m. reading from his book Centering Our Lives:Poems and Essays. This event is free and open to the public. A book signing will follow the reading and copies of his book will be available for purchase.